Types of Therapies

Our therapists treat small groups of clients in an interactive support group. These therapeutic sessions allow all clients to share with people who can relate; their experiences during recovery, the challenges they face along the way, and how they overcome or cope with those issues. Group therapy is designed to boost our clients’ self-esteem and confidence and help them reduce stress. Group therapy is also extremely effective for both advice and constructive criticism from those who have gone through similar problems. Having multiple people telling you where you may be going wrong or thinking incorrectly, is way more effective than one person providing constructive criticism in an individual session. It is important to note that addicts need to be told where their behavior is wrong in order for them to grow and learn a new way of living.

Addiction is known as a family disease. This is because it heavily affects not just the addict but loved ones too. Often, families are put through the harrowing ordeal of watching a loved one on a downward spiral of self-destruction. In the process, there is much lying and breaking of trust that hurt relationships within the family. There may be unresolved conflict within the family that was an issue way before the addiction even started. This is a type of psychotherapy that helps rebuild damaged family structures due to substance abuse and addiction. Family conflicts are resolved by repairing family connections and improving communication skills. A huge part of recovery is getting your family back and on a level where there is love and trust again. Some addicts in recovery are now benefiting from better relationships with loved ones than ever before. An addict who decides to get help and follow through can actually bring a family together.

Individual therapy happens twice a week with a qualified therapist that will work with them on a one-on-one basis to explore resentments, conflict, hurt, secrets, feelings, beliefs, and reasons for acting on unhealthy behaviors. There is a full confidentiality agreement here that a therapist may not disclose anything that is shared in the session. This allows the client to feel comfortable to open up about anything that is on the client's mind. (Nothing is forced, of course.) A common quote in rehab states: “Leave no stone unturned.” Meaning: Get every secret out, unpack all the hurt in your life, all the resentment, all the childhood trauma, all the bad thoughts and pain, this is the best way to let it all out and find the best healing possible without judgement from professionals who understand. By addressing these deep-rooted personal reasons for the drug addiction, clients will work out where the addiction initially came from. And in understanding the monster, you have a better chance of fighting it.

From managing one’s personal finances to preparing for job interviews to developing healthy diets, these life skills sessions help clients become more independent. Addiction can really take its toll on a person's lifestyle and personal development to the point where they have never allowed themselves the time to learn how to live correctly and responsibly. This will help clients get on their feet and back on track. Essential life skills include: Coping with emotions, communication skills, creative thinking, critical thinking, decision-making skills, empathy, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, stress management, and self-awareness among others.

This therapy helps clients develop their own relapse-prevention techniques. They learn to identify and avoid high-risk situations that may trigger cravings and urges. They will learn new coping mechanisms to deal with any cravings such as exercise, breathing techniques, meditation or simply journaling their thoughts. Likewise, they will learn about craving cycles and how to deal with and acknowledge when one is happening. Acknowledging individual warning signs such as anxiety, fears, and thought patterns is a big part of catching a relapse before it even happens. If clients can catch themselves thinking with an addictive mindset early on, they can put a stop to it before using the drug itself. They will also develop and implement a life plan that will keep them out of danger's way, minimizing the risk of relapse post-treatment.

Also known as CBT, is the idea that cognitive thoughts lead to emotions which leads to behavior and are all linked. It is about challenging our core beliefs which may be incorrect or very negative. It is a practice that is used in many areas of mental health like depression and anxiety but has also been found to be very effective in substance use disorder too. Therapists help clients identify unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are the underlying cause of the addiction. By being aware of this, clients can implement new and healthier ways of thinking, which ultimately combats addictive behavior.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy. It's based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but it's especially adapted for people who feel emotions very intensely. The aim of DBT is to help you understand and accept your difficult feelings. Its main goals are to teach people how to live at the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with others. This is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps clients work through intense emotional reactions by neutralizing, normalizing, and avoiding resistance. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is usually recommended to clients who suffer from substance use disorders, mental health issues and/or are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Also known as MRT, is a cognitive-behavioral treatment system that leads to enhanced moral reasoning, better decision-making, and more appropriate behavior. This therapy uses a combination of psychological practices to improve a patient’s moral reasoning, helps them develop a positive identity, and deals with egocentric behaviors. The goal is to teach clients how to think before acting on impulse, further increasing their chances of saying “no” when the opportunity or thought to use comes into play.