Individual Therapy and Counseling for Addiction in Idaho

Individual therapy forms a cornerstone of any good addiction treatment program. Though 12-step programs can help you get clean and group therapy offers you the chance to benefit from other addicts' hard-won wisdom, it is only through individual therapy or addiction treatment in Idaho that you can explore the deep recesses of your mind, address the demons that caused you to become an addict, and chart a course to a happier, addiction-free life.

What Happens In Individual Therapy During Drug Rehab in Idaho?

A popular stereotype argues that individual 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, address how life experiences - such as a parent's divorce, the challenges of a breakup, or the pain of a lost job - have led to these feelings, and then explore unhealthy coping mechanisms.

We all adopt coping mechanisms to deal with the pain and stress of life, but over time, these coping skills may stop working. A woman who was raped might obsessively avoid men or dangerous places. In so doing, though, she undermines her ability to get a job and live a normal life. Through therapy, you'll learn which unhealthy coping mechanisms - such as the abuse of drugs and alcohol - inhibit your ability to live the life of your dreams. You'll then devise a plan to eliminate these dangerous patterns.

Numerous approaches to therapy are available, and no two therapists are exactly alike. Some focus on cultivating mindfulness through meditation; others encourage you to gain insights about your family of origin, while still others teach you to control unhealthy thoughts and feelings. No matter where you go for therapy or whom you choose as your therapist, though, therapy is entirely confidential. Unless you are a danger to yourself or to someone else, your therapist can tell no one what you say. Your therapist is also supposed to listen to you without passing judgment, so you should feel safe sharing any and all feelings you experience - no matter how painful or uncomfortable they might be to share.

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; others become trendy for a while, only to eventually be discredited. Some of the most popular - and most effective - therapeutic methods currently in use include:

• Dialectical-behavioral therapy: Originally developed for people suffering from 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 ("I'm not good enough," "I'm fat") and replace them with healthier thoughts. In so doing, 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 as a proxy for other relationships. Through this relationship, you'll explore the challenges inherent in your other relationships while developing better ways to navigate these challenges.
• Emotionally-focused therapy: This form of therapy, originally developed for couples, is now popular for use with individuals. EFT prioritizes attachments and works to help you develop secure attachments and move past previous hurts.
• Experiential therapy: Rather than passively talking about your feelings, experiential therapy encourages you to experience them by acting them out or revisiting them in more concrete ways. Many people find that they're able to arrive at new solutions via this approach.

Some forms of therapy are dangerous and have been discredited. If a therapist practices any of these approaches, it's time to find someone else.

• Tapping therapy
• Primal scream therapy
• Rebirthing
• Conversion therapy

How Should I Choose a Counselor for Individual Therapy during Drug Addiction Treatment in Idaho?

Choosing the right therapist is key for the success of therapy, since research suggests that your relationship with your therapist is the single most significant predictor of success in therapy. Take your time when choosing a therapist, and 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 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?