Individual therapy for addiction treatment is a type of talk therapy in which clients work one-on-one with a therapist. It generally involves various treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and other practices. Through individual therapy at Malibu Detox, you can expect to build rapport with your therapist while you work with them to develop healthy coping strategies and improve how you resolve life challenges.
Our experienced team employs numerous evidence-based therapies in our treatment programs, with a considerable amount of them being a type of psychotherapy also referred to as talk therapy. While our treatment center prioritizes the unique needs of every person, all clients participate in some form of individual and group therapy sessions. If you or a loved one are ready for substance abuse recovery or mental health services, call (424) 234-2027 to learn more about our individual therapy for addiction treatment programs.
How Individual Therapy for Addiction Treatment Works
While initially participating in an individual therapy session, you can anticipate an informal, open forum that lets the therapist get to know you. The dialogue will include questions about your history, recovery goals, and more for the therapist to learn about you and how they intend to personalize your treatment. This is a great time for you to ask questions and get to know your therapist as well.
The number of individual therapy sessions you will attend per week will depend on your unique treatment plan. In the beginning, you may meet with your therapist more often, and your sessions may become less frequent as you progress in treatment.
Individual therapy can help with various conditions, including but not limited to:
- Substance Use Disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Individual Therapy vs. Group Therapy
The main difference between individual therapy and group therapy is that in individual therapy, a therapist helps a single individual, whereas, in group therapy, one to two therapists treat more than one individual at a time. In both environments, the therapist will foster a supportive environment of respect and understanding. Most research indicates that individual and group therapy are effective methods for treating drug addiction, mental health issues, and nearly every type of psychological issue. In addition, several distinct therapeutic paradigms, such as dialectical behavioral therapy, utilize both group and individual counseling, and participants benefit from both.
The option to become involved in group settings or individual therapy will depend on various factors, including your comfort level with discussing issues in front of others and the technique used. Neither group nor individual therapy is better, but both illustrate different approaches to achieving the same goal and have many advantages.
A comprehensive treatment plan at Malibu Detox will likely incorporate individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy for addiction treatment is one-on-one therapy in a private setting where sessions primarily focus on exploring problems, working through difficult emotions/addictive behaviors, and promoting healthy behaviors and self-awareness. During individual therapy, the approach and method are custom-tailored to the client’s individual needs and recovery goals. A comprehensive treatment plan at Malibu Detox will likely incorporate individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling.
Types of Individual Therapy
The following are the types of individual therapies used to in the treatment programs at Malibu Detox:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—Learning how to recognize and change damaging behaviors by developing healthy ways to cope.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy—Aids in resolving ambivalence regarding commitment to healing and addiction recovery. Clients achieve improved inherent motivation to change the behaviors that led them to abuse drugs or alcohol.
- Integrative or Holistic Therapies—Concentrates on the whole person and uses therapeutic and holistic addiction treatment approaches for recovery. These can include mindfulness therapy, yoga, music and art therapy, and more.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is the treatment of substance abuse or mental health issues in a setting that includes two or more individuals along with group therapists who lead the session. During group therapy, group members interact, practicing their communication skills by sharing their issues and concerns. In substance abuse treatment, counseling groups are dependent on group dynamics for assisting participants in growing and living up to their potential.
There are numerous advantages to this treatment modality. Many find that peer support for an extended period helps them in the recovery program as well as in everyday life following treatment. In addition, many twelve-step programs, such as alcoholics anonymous, take place in a group setting and utilize group work as a form of clinical practice.
The general group therapy size will vary, depending on the type of addiction treatment incorporated, among other factors. For example, couples therapy (group therapy where spouses are being treated) generally consists of only two clients. On the other hand, many groups for substance abuse treatment will have 5 or more individuals and more than one therapist facilitating the group.
Types of Group Therapy
The following are the types of group therapies used to treat substance use disorders and associated mental health disorders at Malibu Detox:
- Psychoeducational group therapy — Learning about substance abuse and related behaviors.
- Interpersonal process group therapy — Exploring developmental problems that lead to substance use or hold them back from long-term recovery.
- Skills development group therapy — Developing healthy coping skills and other essential skills that help them stay sober.
- Cognitive behavioral group therapy — Learning how to identify and change damaging thoughts and actions that lead to substance use.
- Support groups — Sharing experiences and struggles while gaining insight by learning from other people who suffer from similar issues.
The Benefits of Individual Therapy in the Addiction Recovery Process
There are many benefits to individual therapy. When you work with a therapist in an intimate, one-on-one setting, you have the freedom for emotional exploration in a non-judgemental environment where you can gain fresh insights about your life and improve how you deal with negative thoughts and emotions. Some of the many benefits include:
Safe Space
Individual therapy can also serve as a space to process complex emotions and work through healing past traumas that you may struggle to open up about. Once the therapist helps you identify your goals and challenges, they will then devise a personalized treatment plan to help you progress in treatment.
Confidentiality
Another benefit of therapy is complete confidentiality. Protection of sensitive information and trust building is integral to individual sessions. You can rest assured that the problems you share in treatment will remain private. If you struggle to open up and worry about your privacy sharing in large settings, you may benefit from the intimate environment of individual therapy.
Progress Tracking
Attending therapy on a one-on-one basis allows for the therapist to track your progress and modify any treatment plans if necessary. Your therapist will also be able to review your progress with you, and allow you to have collaboration in next steps and treatment planning.
Comfortable Pace
Since individual therapy involves just the patient, you can set the pace at which you choose to discuss your background and concerns. For those that need more time to open up, you will have the flexibility to take multiple sessions to expand on your concerns. Additionally, you will be able to collaborate with your therapist to determine what pace is therapeutically appropriate for you.
What to Expect in Individual Therapy Sessions
Each therapy session may differ depending on the individual treatment plan and treatment facility. Each session will be centered around the patient with the therapist utilizing prompts, open-ended questions, reflections, and feedback throughout the session.
Depending on your recovery process or substance use disorder, your therapist may use the following practices and treatment modalities:
Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery with Malibu Detox
Malibu Detox offers comprehensive treatment modalities, such as individual therapy facilitated by licensed and knowledgeable therapists. Our treatment programs serve as a catalyst for meaningful transformations, ultimately helping individuals achieve sustainable, long-term health and recovery.
If you are struggling with addiction and associated mental health conditions, we’re here to help. When you’re stuck in the cycle of addiction, you can experience hopelessness, isolation, and frustration. Reaching out for help and finding the right program for you is a major first step in your recovery journey. Whether you need detox, medication-assisted treatment, residential treatment, dual diagnosis treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, sober living, aftercare services, or treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, we can help. All substance abuse and mental health programs at our treatment centers in Southern California include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, support groups, and mental health services.
Contact our Malibu, California, drug and alcohol rehab and detox center today at (424) 234-2027 to discuss your personalized addiction treatment plan. We accept most major and private insurance plans and will work with you to navigate your coverage to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Our admissions staff looks forward to speaking with you.
Find Help Today
When you’re stuck in the cycle of addiction, you can experience hopelessness, isolation, and frustration. Reaching out for help and finding the right program for you is a major first step in your recovery journey. Whether you need detox, residential treatment, dual diagnosis treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient treatment, or treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, we can help. All drug rehab programs at our treatment centers include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy/family counseling, support groups, mental health services, and more.
Contact our Malibu, California, drug, and alcohol rehab and detox center today at (424) 234-2027 to discuss your personalized addiction treatment plan. We accept most major and private insurance plans and will work with you to navigate your coverage to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Our admissions staff looks forward to speaking with you.
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