Psychotherapy Treatment Program
Overcoming drug or alcohol addiction can be a challenging process, but with the highest quality treatment possible, anyone can recover. Addiction treatment programs like 1st Step Behavioral Health rely on individualized psychotherapy to help individuals explore their past obstacles, present concerns, and vision for the future. By addressing the root causes of your substance abuse, embracing healthy coping skills, and identifying your goals, you can secure your sobriety.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy and it is an integral part of addiction treatment. Therapists mostly use psychotherapy during individual counseling by implementing techniques like behavioral therapy to address the root cause of substance abuse.
Individual psychotherapy sessions can help individuals work past potential triggers, such as:
- Everyday stress from work, home life, or general anxiety
- Environmental cues, such as going to places that caused past trauma
- Socializing with others who use drugs and alcohol
Psychotherapy is also effective in treating co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions are closely related to substance abuse, and many people who suffer from addiction have co-occurring mental health disorders. Fortunately, using psychotherapy, our qualified therapists can swiftly address both issues at once.
Ultimately, the goal of psychotherapy is to analyze and modify any destructive thought patterns that you may have, thereby helping you stay sober far beyond treatment. We believe psychotherapy is the path to freedom from addiction because it helps you learn how to stop cravings and cope with the stressors of daily life.
The Benefits of Psychotherapy in Addiction Treatment
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than a quarter of American adults experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders in any given year. When it comes to people struggling with addiction, up to 50% experience such conditions. Not only that, but people also struggle to cope with relationship troubles, job loss, the death of a loved one, and stress, all of which can be exacerbated by substance abuse issues.
These problems can be quite overwhelming, but there is no difficulty that psychotherapy can’t help you overcome. Psychotherapy treatment programs can significantly improve your life by helping you achieve the following.
Understand the behaviors, emotions, and ideas that contribute to his or her illness and learn how to replace those behaviors with healthier habits
- Understand and identify the life problems or events — like a major illness, a death in the family, a loss of a job, or a divorce — that are affecting them mentally and emotionally. The goal is to identify issues and old patterns and then replace them with healthy alternatives.
- Regain a sense of control and pleasure in life.
- Learn healthy coping techniques and problem-solving skills to alleviate pain caused by the mental condition.
Psychotherapy Treatment Applied in Various Settings
Depending on your needs, our psychotherapy treatment may be facilitated in various settings, such as:
- Individual therapy – This therapy involves only the client and the therapist.
- Group therapy – Two or more patients may participate in therapy at the same time. Patients have the ability to share experiences and learn that others feel the same way and have had the same experiences, thus reducing feelings of shame and isolation.
- Marital and couples therapy – This type of therapy helps spouses and partners understand why their loved one has an addiction or mental health disorder, what changes in communication and behaviors can improve their relationship, and helpful coping skills to practice for healthier communication. This type of therapy can also be used to help a couple that is struggling with different parts of their relationship.
Family therapy – Because family is a key part of the team that helps people with mental illness get better, it can be beneficial for family members to understand what their loved one is going through, how they themselves can cope, and what they can do to help. This can be achieved in family therapy sessions.
Types of Psychotherapy in Addiction Treatment
Our Florida rehab center may use a variety of different types of psychotherapy, including:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is an approach that revolves around the idea that people have emotional or substance abuse issues as a result of unresolved, usually unconscious challenges that often stem from childhood. This type of psychotherapy is to help individuals better understand and cope with these challenges by talking about their experiences. Psychodynamic therapy is practiced over a period of at least several months, although it can last longer, even years.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy targets the behaviors and interactions a patient has with their family, as well as their friends. The main goal of this therapy is to improve communication skills and increase self-esteem during a short period of time. Interpersonal therapy typically lasts three to four months and works well for depression caused by mourning, relationship issues, significant life events, and social isolation.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people with mental conditions to identify and change inaccurate perceptions that they may have regarding themselves and the world around them. New ways of thinking are established by directing attention to both the “correct” and “incorrect” assumptions they make about themselves and others.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people who:
- Struggle with drug and alcohol abuse
- Think and behave in ways that trigger more issues
- Suffer from depression and/or anxiety disorders
- Refuse or are unable to take antidepressant medication
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy used for high-risk individuals. The term “dialectical” comes from the idea that bringing together two opposites in therapy–acceptance and change–brings better results than either one alone. DBT helps clients target unhealthy behaviors such as lying and self-harm through keeping daily diaries, individual and group therapy, and phone coaching.
DBT was initially created to treat people with suicidal behavior and borderline personality disorder (BPD), but it is now used to treat a variety of mental health problems that may put a person’s safety, relationships, work, and emotional well-being at risk.
DBT focuses on four ways to improve life skills:
- Distress tolerance – Feeling intense emotions such as anger without reacting on impulse or using self-harm or substance abuse to worsen distress.
- Emotion regulation – Recognizing, labeling, and changing emotions accordingly.
- Mindfulness – Becoming more self-aware, as well as attentive to the present moment.
Interpersonal effectiveness – Navigating conflict and interacting assertively.
Advice For Starting Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy works best when you attend all scheduled appointments. The effectiveness of therapy depends on your active participation. It requires time, effort, and regularity.
As you begin therapy, establish some goals with your therapist. Then spend time periodically reviewing your progress with your therapist.
If you don’t like the therapist’s approach or if you don’t think the therapist is helping you, talk to him or her about it and seek a second opinion if both agree, but don’t discontinue therapy abruptly.
Starting psychotherapy in Florida can be scary at first. All of us can be hesitant to change at times. We assure you that taking the first step in recovery can never be a bad decision, especially when you have us to help you through each and every step.
The following tips are good practices to implant as you begin your journey:
- Identify sources of stress: Try keeping a journal and keep track of stressful as well as positive events.
- Restructure priorities: Emphasize positive, effective behavior.
- Make time for recreational and pleasurable activities.
- Communicate: Explain and establish your needs to someone you trust; write in a journal to express your feelings. Make sure you are processing your emotions in a healthy way.
- Manage stress: Try to focus on positive results and finding methods for reducing, as well as managing stress.
It is important to remember that therapy involves evaluating your thoughts and behaviors, identifying stresses that contribute to your condition, and working to modify both. Those who actively participate in therapy recover more quickly and have fewer relapses.
In addition, psychotherapy in Florida thoroughly addresses specific causes of mental illness; it is not a “quick fix.” It’s a longer process than just taking medication, but there is evidence to suggest that the effects last a lot longer. Medication may be needed immediately in cases of severe mental illness, but the combination of therapy and medicine tends to be a better route to take for long-term results.
Psychotherapy in Florida Begins at 1st Step Behavioral Health
At 1st Step, our licensed therapists work with individuals in one-on-one settings and group settings. We use proven techniques to help you work past trauma, depression, anxiety, triggers, and addiction, itself. We pride ourselves in tailoring treatment for our patients, making sure that all their unique needs are met.
Besides psychotherapy, we also integrate holistic healing methods into our treatment program, including:
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Family counseling
- Holistic therapies
- Life skills development
We strive to help individuals recover in a safe, trusting environment. Therapists, counselors, and other staff members help individuals develop better self-awareness, higher self-esteem, stronger interpersonal skills, and peer empathy. These attributes are the building blocks for sustainable sobriety.
If you or someone you love is ready to make a change, 1st Step Behavioral Health provides the focused treatment you need. Call or text 1st Step Behavioral Health now at (855) 425-4846 and take the first step to lasting recovery.
Take the First Step Today
We can help you get better. Contact us today to find out which program might be right for you, or to begin the process of arranging for treatment.
