Recovering from addiction is often a lifelong process, and it is common for those affected to be unsure of where to start. For many, individual therapy is a promising option that is accessible and approachable.
Compared to other alternatives, such as in-patient treatment, therapy is more adaptable to suit one’s everyday life. Still, those who suspect that therapy may be a good choice for them might wonder what actually happens in the therapist’s office.
The good news is that individual therapy is a rewarding, collaborative process. The patient may discuss issues at their own pace and work with the therapist to create a strategy that suits their goals, habits, and thought processes. At the same time, the therapist introduces new coping methods that replace those that contributed to the addictive behavior in the past.
Does Therapy Help with Addiction Recovery?
Many people assume that because they struggled to talk themselves out of their addictive behaviors, talking with a therapist will also produce minimal or no results. However, the evidence suggests otherwise. Studies repeatedly show that individual therapy increases the success rate of rehabilitation, especially for those with comorbid conditions.
Because individual therapy provides customized strategies such as thought restructuring and developing coping skills according to a person’s specific challenges and attitudes, it has been found effective for addiction recovery. However, it is important to work with a therapist who provides a customized approach. For this reason, partnering with a recovery clinic with trusted therapist contacts is wise.
The Individual Therapy Process
A person who commits to individual therapy for addiction recovery may want to know what will happen next. In general, the process will proceed as follows:
Assessment
To begin, the patient and the therapist will meet and discuss their goals and potential strategies. At this point, the therapist is assessing the patient to determine where their challenge points are, what skills and attitudes they excel in, and how therapy can be shaped to support their long-term recovery. It is important for patients to be honest during this stage so the therapist can create a plan that works well for the participant.
Building trust
Once the therapist has created a trajectory, the patient and therapist work together to build trust. This makes up a large portion of the first stretch of therapy because patients need to trust their therapists in order to work on more sensitive disclosures and situations requiring greater vulnerability.
Often, this trust-building can be achieved through simple talking. The therapist may ask for an overview of the patient’s situation, and over time, how much of this situation the patient is willing to divulge will grow. They get to learn about each other as people while still within the context of addiction recovery.
Adjustments and coping
Once the patient feels settled into their relationship with their therapist, they can begin to embrace the many strategies that therapy offers. The therapist now knows enough about the patient to begin recommending recovery strategies that fit the individual.
For instance, the therapist may notice that the patient seems to have used a particular substance to cope with feelings of discomfort, anxiety, or stress. Identifying this behavior can help the patient find a new source of comfort when experiencing these disconcerting emotions and reactions.
By knowing the patient, they can recommend anything from journaling to art or breathing techniques that help the individual adjust to stressors in a healthy way that aligns with their personality and interests.
Long-term management
Over time, the therapist and patient will collaborate to create a web of strategies that can be used to combat temptations and deal with challenges in more productive ways.
Because the therapist is constantly learning about the individual as they grow and develop, individual therapy can continue to be valuable over the long term. As necessary, therapists can recommend small adjustments that can help the patient see greater success. Similarly, the patient can report on what is working and what is less effective than expected.
Start Individual Therapy to Overcome Addiction
Anyone seeking recovery from addiction has many options to choose from on how to approach this path. Individual therapy is just one of many potential choices, but it is a highly impactful one. Therapy can offer customized solutions that suit an individual’s habits and worldviews, gradually shifting those thought processes into something more productive.
The professional team at Aquila Recovery Clinic in Washington DC can help you reach your recovery goals in therapy by connecting you with therapists who are experienced in addiction counseling. Contact Aquila Recovery Clinic to schedule a therapy appointment!