Types of Therapy: How Specialized Programs Can Help You Recover

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and evidence-based forms of psychotherapy. Numerous studies over several decades have demonstrated CBT's effectiveness in treating a broad range of mental and behavioral health issues. For many conditions, CBT is regarded as a frontline treatment and foundational to evidence-based practice.

CBT helps you modify your dysfunctional thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that lead to substance abuse. You can learn coping skills and practice applying them to real-world scenarios. CBT also identifies addiction triggers and develops strategies to avoid or manage them.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps you build critical coping skills to prevent relapse and manage difficult emotions. According to an article published by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), multiple studies and systematic reviews have found that DBT significantly reduces suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors among individuals with borderline personality disorder.

DBT combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. You can learn distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a scientifically supported treatment method that has undergone thorough investigation for its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related illnesses that might lead to substance dependence. This technique employs bilateral stimulation of your brain's hemispheres by means of eye movements, tapping, or audio tones during the processing of traumatic memories.

According to a comprehensive review by the EMDR Institute, more than 30 controlled studies support the efficacy of EMDR therapy for PTSD. Some studies reported that up to 90% of trauma survivors had remission of PTSD symptoms after as few as 3 EMDR sessions.

Experiential therapy utilizes therapeutic activities to promote healing, growth, and behavioral change. This allows you to process your emotions and past experiences through creative action versus just talking.

Examples include art, music, or dance therapy, psychodrama, wilderness programs, yoga, meditation, equine therapy, gardening, adventure therapy, and more.

Trauma-informed therapy recognizes how trauma drives substance abuse for many people. Therapists at our facility help you process your traumatic memories, feelings, and beliefs through modalities like cognitive processing therapy. Developing resilience, coping skills, and healthy relationships promotes post-traumatic growth.

A trauma-informed approach creates a safe, compassionate environment for healing.

Individual therapy enables our therapists to tailor treatment to your specific needs. Individual therapy helps you identify triggers, teaches coping techniques, provides motivation, and gives guidance through challenging times. Having a trusted therapist who listens to you without judgment creates a safe space for self-reflection and growth.

Group therapy gives you a safe space to share experiences with peers and give and receive support. Led by our skilled therapists, group therapy builds trust, teach interpersonal skills, and model healthy communication. Members motivate each other and provide different perspectives.

Support groups are also very beneficial for maintaining sobriety after completing treatment. Accountability and camaraderie help prevent relapse.

Addiction strains family relationships, so it's essential to involve loved ones in treatment. Family therapy repairs trust, improves communication and understanding, and resolves conflicts. Your loved ones learn how to best support your recovery goals rather than enabling addictive behaviors. Healthier family dynamics reinforce sobriety, too.

Motivational interviewing is a therapeutic style focused on building your internal motivation and commitment to change. It explores ambivalence surrounding addiction in a nonjudgmental way. MI helps you resolve the discrepancy between your desired goals and current behaviors. The therapist expresses empathy, instills hope, and promotes self-efficacy.

When combined with therapy, certain medications can be beneficial in addiction recovery. Medication-assisted treatment alleviates your withdrawal symptoms, reduces drug cravings, and blocks euphoric effects. This allows you to focus on counseling and behavior changes. MAT provides time for brain healing and learning new coping skills.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an innovative therapeutic approach that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate mood-regulating areas of your brain. Sessions are very safe, non-invasive, and cause minimal side effects.

During TMS therapy, an electromagnetic coil is placed near your forehead to deliver focused magnetic pulses. This painlessly activates the regions of your brain involved in mood, addiction, reward, and cognitive control.

Treatments are typically 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks. Our providers may recommend TMS alone or in combination with psychotherapy and medications.

Many people struggling with addiction also have co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. This requires integrated treatment that addresses both conditions at the same time. Treating just one issue while ignoring the other reduces effectiveness.

Dual diagnosis treatment provides psychiatric care, counseling, and medications to simultaneously stabilize both disorders.