about me

Infinite Paths is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area and funded by private donations. It is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from local mental health and substance use disorder organizations. 

I (Shani Lyons) founded Infinite Paths in January 2022 and hosted my first event in March 2022. I began my substance use disorder counseling career at Haight Ashbury Free Clinics in 1996 after graduating with a B.A. in Social Work. I made a career change to Graphic Design in 2000, and then I returned to substance use disorder counseling in 2018. I felt a pull to go back to counseling and recovery services. I completed my internship and practicum hours at Positive Changes (Bay Area Community Resources). I took the final exam for my California certification in July 2023, and became certified as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor.

As a woman in recovery, and a survivor of abuse and trauma, I know firsthand the unique challenges women overcome to achieve and maintain sobriety. Infinite Paths was born out of my own transformative journey through addiction and trauma recovery; that is, the realization that recovery is a personal journey with no single path to success, and also dependent on building a community and support network.  

Infinite Paths was created so women can be part of a strong support network and community in a safe, respectful space to recover, heal, and live their fullest lives in sobriety.

mission

My mission is to create a safe, respectful support network and recovery community for women and gender-expansive persons impacted by addiction, empowering them to live their lives to their fullest potential and achieve long-term sobriety.

vision

I believe all persons deserve a community where they are respected, valued, and supported on their path to long-term sobriety. I am committed to the community I serve. I promote the dignity and self-worth of all members and clients. I strive to give women and gender-expansive persons a space that feels safe, respectful, free from discrimination, and is alcohol and drug-free.

I empower women and gender-expansive persons in recovery to live their lives to their fullest potential and maintain long-term sobriety through recovery groups, counseling, events, and workshops. Services are designed to strengthen relapse prevention, self-esteem, self-respect, and respect for others, build connections and a support network of persons in recovery, and to address issues to improve the quality of clients’ lives.

commitments

I am committed to honoring and respecting you on your path of recovery.

Connection

My programs allow you to cultivate friendships and create a support network.

My drug and alcohol-free gathering space provides physical and emotional safety for all women and gender-expansive persons.

care

My programs provide recovery counseling and coaching through recovery maintenance groups and individual sessions. 

peer support

My programs provide women and gender-expansive persons the opportunity to build a support network and recovery community, a crucial component of long-term recovery.