One-on-one, as well as group therapies, are integral parts of the rehab experience. Getting to the cause of a substance use problem helps program participants to prevent relapses in the future. Therapists use a broad range of counseling techniques to help people in these settings. Good therapists know when to switch gears and use different techniques to assist individuals to reach breakthroughs.
Most Counseling Techniques Focus on Conversations
An example of conversation based counseling is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This modality allows you to examine the connections between feelings, thoughts, and actions. You learn why you have certain gut reactions and how they affect your decision-making processes. In many cases, it’s possible to pinpoint traumatic experiences and their far-reaching effects on your life.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) benefits individuals who don’t do well with CBT. Perhaps some deeply rooted personality traits make CBT not workable in your situation. For you, DBT allows for an examination of negativity in your thought processes that then spills over into actions. Honing in on the negativity and addressing it significantly changes the way you respond to stresses.
Some Techniques Offer an Experiential Twist
There are times when counseling techniques have to be hands on as well. Some program participants shut down at the sight of a psychiatrist’s couch. They don’t feel comfortable sharing feelings and thoughts in an office environment. For these folks, talking happens organically while participating in experiential therapies.
Examples might include:
- Outdoor activities such as hiking or biking that create camaraderie between program participants and therapists
- Art therapy that may allow for expression of feelings with colors and shapes
- Role-playing in a theatrical setting where improvisation provides a glimpse at thoughts and feelings
- Fitness therapy that helps you to get well physically while also providing you with the opportunity to work out emotional issues
- Yoga and Tai Chi, which assist with breathing techniques and mindfulness training, aiding with recognition of stresses
Getting Help at a Rehab Facility
When you need addiction treatment, it makes sense to select a facility that offers a broad range of counseling options. Because needs change, you may start with one program and then switch to another. The goal is to get well and prevent a future relapse. Getting you there calls for access to tools that help you where you’re at.
Typically, program participants select a inpatient stay at a rehab facility. Doing so allows you to live on campus and take advantage of all the programs you can. When you prefer to sleep in your own bed, a partial hospitalization can still work for you. Depending on your discussions with a counselor, you might also try addiction counseling on an intensive outpatient basis.
No matter which program framework you select, today is a great day to make a positive change in your life. Don’t let drugs or alcohol dictate how you live and what you can or cannot do for another day. The friendly, knowledgeable therapists at Pinnacle Peak Recovery are on standby and ready to help you. Reach out by calling 866-377-4761 today.
