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Defining Psychotherapy and Exploring Various Types
Psychotherapy is therapy between a client and a counselor or therapist. Conversation is the base of this therapy, which is why it is often known as talk therapy. Psychotherapy aims to help clients lead better, healthier lives.
Psychological therapy is an ideal option for treating addiction. Although, since it’s a comprehensive process, sometimes treatments like exercise therapy or medication are also necessary.
There are many different types of psychotherapy. At Silver Pines Treatment Center, clients will have access to many of them. Popular varieties of talk therapy include the following:
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Dual diagnosis therapy
There are also multiple types of individual behavioral therapy that can we use to help clients. Cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as dialectical behavioral therapy, are effective methods in the treatment of all types of addiction, including opiate addiction, which is currently a national epidemic.
Tackling the Root Causes of Addiction
One of the biggest goals of talk therapy is to understand and address the underlying cause of addiction. The reason addiction develops is different for every single person. Sometimes, the cause is obvious. In other cases, it may take time to understand what led to its development.
Some clients struggle with addiction because of a history of trauma. Trauma can include abuse, witnessing violence or living through a natural disaster. Any of these events can cause serious mental anguish, often leading to addiction. Through therapy, individuals can address this trauma and begin to heal.
Otherclients may struggle with mental health disorders as well as addiction. In order to treat one aspect of health, all areas need attention. Through talk therapy,clients can learn how to treat their mental illness and how it might have sparked addiction. Conversely, they may learn why addiction caused mental health problems and how to resolve them.
Addiction may also develop because of availability, low self-esteem, stress or genetic predisposition, among other issues. Talk therapy can dive deeper into any one of these areas and help clients come to terms with them.
Changing Behaviors and Thought Patterns
A major goal of talk therapy is to change behavioral patterns. Even once the chemical and physical ties to a substance are gone, many addicts find it difficult to break their routine. Substance abuse might be a natural reaction to anger, happiness, sadness or stress.
Through talk therapy, clients can explore their negative thought patterns and learn why this happens. For example, a client might feel frustrated about something and decide that they’re a failure. This, in turn, could lead to relapse.
With therapy, that client might see that a temporary setback isn’t a failure. Instead, they could identify those negative feelings and banish them. Rather than relapsing, they might try something new that brings health and happiness.
Developing Coping Mechanisms and Avoiding Relapse
A significant percentage of individuals who try to maintain their sobriety ultimately relapse. With therapy, clients can discuss and then create their own coping mechanisms to handle triggers and cravings. This could include anything from attending weekly support meetings to exercising frequently as a form of stress relief.
Psychotherapy is one of the many effective tools we employ to treat addiction. At Silver Pines Treatment Center, you’ll have access to a range of resources to help you in your recovery. Call 267.209.7313 today to embrace a life of sobriety and fulfillment through addiction treatment services.