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Individual Addiction Therapy

Northpoint Idaho Individual TherapyIndividual therapy forms a cornerstone of many addiction therapy programs. Group therapy offers you the chance to benefit from your rehab peers’ hard-won wisdom. And 12-step programs can also help you get clean. However, individual addiction therapy or counseling provides the unique advantages of one-on-one treatment. Keep reading to learn more about individual therapy programs in Boise.

What Happens In Individual Addiction Therapy?

A popular stereotype argues that individual addiction therapy begins and ends with a therapist goading you to “Tell me how you feel.” While it’s important to explore your feelings, therapy is about so much more than this. In therapy, you’ll work to understand your emotions. You also learn how your life experiences have led to these feelings. You then explore the impact of the unhealthy coping mechanisms you develop in response.

We all adopt coping mechanisms to deal with the pain and stress of life. But over time, these coping skills may stop working. Through individual addiction therapy, you’ll learn which unhealthy coping strategies inhibit your ability to live the life you desire. You’ll then devise a plan to eliminate these dangerous patterns.

The Uniqueness of Individual Addiction Therapy in Boise and Elsewhere

Numerous approaches to individual therapy are available, and no two therapies are exactly alike. Some focus on cultivating mindfulness through meditation. Others encourage you to gain insights into your family of origin. Still, others teach you to control unhealthy thoughts and feelings.

But all individual addiction therapy in Boise and elsewhere have one key thing in common. Whether you go or who you choose as your therapist, your treatment is entirely confidential. Unless you are a danger to yourself or someone else, your therapist can tell no one what you say. Your therapist also listens to you without passing judgment. This helps you feel safe sharing any and all feelings you experience. That’s true, no matter how painful or uncomfortable they might express.

What Are Some Approaches to Individual Therapy for Addiction Recovery?

Over the past century or so, therapists have devised dozens of methods for coping with psychological distress. Some have fallen into and out of favor, becoming trendy for a while only to be discredited eventually. In contrast, other treatments have gained the firm backing of reliable scientific evidence. Some of the most popular – and most effective – forms of individual therapy for addiction include:

  • Dialectical behavioral therapy – Originally developed for people who have borderline personality disorder, this approach to therapy blends individual and group therapy while teaching you social skills, the ability to tolerate distress, and how to be more interpersonally effective.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy – This approach to therapy endeavors to reduce unhealthy automatic negative thoughts (e.g., “I’m not good enough,” “I’m fat”) and replace them with healthier thoughts. In so doing, the therapy enables you to switch from dangerous and ineffective behaviors – such as using drugs – to healthier choices, such as running.
  • Interpersonal therapy – This approach uses the therapist-client relationship to proxy for other relationships. Through this relationship, you’ll explore the challenges inherent in your other relationships. You will also develop better ways to navigate these challenges.
  • Emotionally-focused therapy – This form of therapy, originally developed for couples, is now popular with individuals. EFT prioritizes attachments and works to help you develop secure attachments and move past previous hurts.
  • Experiential therapy – This form of therapy asks you to do more than passively talk about your feelings. In addition, it encourages you to experience them by acting them out or revisiting them in more concrete ways. Many people find that they can arrive at new solutions via this approach.
    An individual therapy program in Boise may include one or more options.

Choosing a Therapist for an Individual Counseling Program in Boise

Choosing the right therapist is crucial for the success of your counseling program in Boise. Why? Research suggests that your relationship with your therapist is the single most significant predictor of success. This means that you should take your time when choosing a therapist. If you don’t feel comfortable, be sure to speak up. Some questions that can help you determine if the person you’ve chosen is right for you include:

  • How long will individual addiction therapy take, and how will I know it’s working?
  • What therapeutic modalities do you practice? What can I expect to do in each session?
  • Can you respect my values and opinions?
  • Are you licensed to practice in your state?
  • Have you ever been disciplined by a professional oversight board?
  • What subjects do you specialize in?
  • How long have you been practicing?
  • What will we do if therapy doesn’t work?
    Can I request a change if I don’t like the direction therapy is going?
  • If we get into a conflict, how will you handle it?
  • In what situations would you recommend medication?
  • Will I need to do homework? What else can I do to increase the efficacy of therapy?
  • What sorts of clients do you like to work with?

The answers to these questions go a long way toward determining your experience in individual therapy in Boise.

Turn to Northpoint Recovery for an Individual Therapy Program in Boise

Are you or your loved one in need of individual therapy in Boise? Turn to the professionals at Northpoint Recovery. We specialize in inpatient treatment for various forms of addiction. When appropriate, that treatment features inpatient therapy. We’re committed to helping you reach your goals for lasting recovery. To learn more, call us today at 208.486.0130.