When someone enters into a treatment plan, one of the most common types of treatment they will receive is psychotherapy treatment. Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, and it requires little more than an individual and a therapist. There are many ways a person can receive psychotherapy treatment, and each type fills a specific role in treatment.
Psychotherapy is an important part of treatment for those struggling with addiction and its co-occurring mental health disorders. This is because people don't just get suddenly addicted to a substance. Many times, it is because someone is dealing with trauma, stress, or pain, and turn to drugs or substances to help them cope. This is not a healthy coping skill, and it can lead to substance use disorder (SUD).
To address the underlying cause of someone's addiction, they must use psychotherapy treatment. Facilities like Pathways Wellness Center utilize psychotherapy treatment to help clients confront and heal from their trauma and pain. Doing so gives someone the inner strength and skills they need to recover from their addiction.
Several types of therapies fit under the umbrella of psychotherapy treatment. They can be grouped into four categories known as cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, and integrative/holistic.
Cognitive: This branch of psychotherapy treatment focuses on someone's thoughts and thinking patterns. The goal is to recognize and change dysfunctional and harmful thinking patterns. For example, a therapist might talk with a client about why they believe that they are unworthy of love. By doing this, they discover the trigger that caused them to believe such negative thoughts and then can focus on changing them.
Behavioral: This treatment focuses on a person's behavior. Its goal is to understand why someone developed harmful and self-destructive behaviors and guide someone into changing them. An example is someone in therapy for a phobia undergoing desensitizing treatment. This repeated exposure to their fear in a controlled environment can train someone to no longer be afraid of that particular phobic trigger.
Humanistic: This focuses on how someone feels and their sense of self to give them the confidence to make healthy choices. For victims of trauma, it can be difficult to find out who you are. Humanistic therapy helps someone define and express themselves, discovering aspects of themselves that give them strength. This strength is an important part of recovery for addiction and other mental health disorders.
Integrative/holistic: This type of psychotherapy focuses on blending cognitive, behavioral, and humanistic psychotherapies to create what is often called complementary or alternative therapy. It allows therapists to blend aspects of all three categories to custom-tailor treatment to each person. Some examples of these types of therapies are art therapy, breath therapy, hypnosis, and guided imagery therapy.
The two most common types of psychotherapy treatment are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT focuses on helpings clients recognize harmful thoughts and teaches them techniques to change or redirect them. DBT focuses on helping clients accept themselves and teaches them techniques to regulate their emotions and manage potentially harmful or destructive behaviors.
Most commonly, a person has individual psychotherapy treatment. However, someone can also have psychotherapy in a group as group therapy or as part of family therapy.
A person getting psychotherapy treatment can expect to be treated with compassion and respect. It begins with speaking to a treatment provider about your goals and your problems. A therapist will spend some time getting to know you and address any concerns you may have about treatment. Then, a treatment plan is drafted that is designed to help you reach your goals.
Psychotherapy can be difficult because it involves talking about things that bother you or cause you pain. You are allowed to request a subject change or a break at any time, and a therapist will respect that. If a therapist is not a right fit for you, you are allowed to request a change of therapist. You have rights as a client, and mental health care facilities, like Pathways Wellness Center, take those rights seriously. Every client will have their rights explained to them before treatment begins. If you have any questions, ask them, and you will get an answer.
Where you get therapy depends on the individual treatment facility. Most people receive therapy in a private and comfortable setting, such as a therapist's office. Some treatment facilities will have therapy sessions outdoors or in specialized areas, such as a pottery studio for art therapy. For those who cannot leave their homes due to anxiety, mobility issues, or location, there is telehealth.
Telehealth allows someone to connect to their therapist through their phone or computer to have a therapy session while at home or in another location. However, not all treatment facilities offer telehealth, and it's important to ask if you are interested in such options.
Overall, psychotherapy can be difficult at the beginning, but you might be surprised to find yourself opening up more as time goes by and trust is built.
One of the most common forms of treatment for addiction and other mental health disorders is known as psychotherapy. This type of therapy is often known as “talk therapy” and is used to help those who are struggling to get to the root of their problems. When it comes to addiction, there is a lot of shame involved, which can prevent those struggling from seeking help. Here at Pathways Wellness Center in Glendora, California, we use psychotherapy to help our clients discover their self-worth. By understanding that you are worthy of compassion and understanding, you find the strength you need to recover from addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling, don't wait – call today at (888) 771-0966.
