A behavioral therapist helps those in treatment for addiction or mental health concerns deal with dysfunction. For women in recovery, behavioral therapy sessions may involve working through challenging thoughts, emotions, or patterns. During rehab for drug or alcohol addiction dependency, this type of evidence-based modality lays the groundwork for relapse prevention. At Soledad House, we offer addiction treatment programs for women that include behavioral therapy to help our guests work towards lasting, sustainable sobriety. Learn more about this approach to treatment by connecting with our team today at 866.314.3222.
Two Types of Behavioral Therapy for Women
At Soledad House, our behavioral therapist works with our guests during one-on-one psychotherapy sessions. Depending on their needs, the women in our care might go through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) sessions. Some program participants benefit from both interventions. The goal of either treatment is to undo dysfunctional patterns and help women build the healthy coping skills they need for sustainable sobriety.
These behavioral therapies can help those who are facing mental health concerns, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
CBT acknowledges the connections between thoughts, emotions, and actions. When one aspect is negative, it affects the other two. Symptoms may include panic attacks, angry outbursts, or incidents of self-harm. As you work with the behavioral therapist, you look closely at the thoughts and emotions that surround the actions.
Therefore, CBT transforms automatic reactions into chains of events. You develop an awareness of emotions that you had just before acting out in a dysfunctional manner. Besides that, you may notice the thoughts that influenced these emotions. Above all, you can unravel individual situations and find healthier ways of reacting.
Some women have a difficult time with intense emotions. It might seem like your feelings are running away with you. They govern everything you do. Frequently, they guide you to do things that you regret.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT addresses mental health and addiction as well. During DBT sessions, you’ll work with a behavioral therapist to hone in on emotions. One by one, you identify them. Sometimes, there’s a pattern.
Next, you develop a set of coping skills that give you control over emotions. In this way, it’s possible to avoid the usual escalation that then results in adverse outcomes. DBT also assists you in finding healthy ways of expressing feelings. Sometimes, a behavioral therapist for women may suggest that you undergo trauma treatment.
How Working with a Behavioral Therapist Guides Your Rehab Experience
When you check in at Soledad House, you undergo a dual diagnosis assessment. This simply means that addiction experts check if you might be struggling with underlying psychiatric conditions. Examples include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and similar situations. Many program participants don’t realize that they struggle with co-occurring conditions.
Therefore, you might have been self-medicating for a different condition. Knowing this allows the therapist to adjust CBT and DBT treatments to focus on these problem areas as well. Most importantly, you finally get the help you need to avoid the temptation to use drugs or alcohol. This treatment can take a significant addiction trigger right out of the equation.
In the same way, a behavioral therapist for women focuses on your unique role in life. Maybe you are a caregiver, parent, spouse, or corporate executive. Each role brings its unique set of stressors to the table. Besides that, you experience these stressors in ways that men don’t.
As a result, typical stress management and coping tools don’t work. What does work, however, is a combination of CBT, DBT, and other therapy modalities. Examples include:
- Group therapy as a way to incorporate coping skills while interacting with peers for support
- 12 step program participation for accountability
- Spiritual counseling that encourages whole-person healing after addiction
- Experiential therapies to help you relearn how to have fun and live healthily
- Family therapy to reconnect with loved ones, explore roles, and restart communication
Having Fun in Recovery
While in treatment, you need to relearn what it’s like to be around others without drugs. You’re not thinking about them, trying to hide them, or finding ways of using them. In contrast, you can be fully present. However, living like this won’t come naturally for many.
That’s why Soledad House plans and hosts sober parties. You prepare through behavioral therapy sessions for the activities. You talk through nervousness, social anxiety, and simple coping skills. Besides that, you explore ways of communicating and interacting with others.
Reach Out to Soledad House to Learn How Behavioral Therapy for Women Could Help You Heal
By practicing your social interactions before graduating from the program, you can return to your life with ease. Of course, before you can get to this point, you need to reach out for help. How could a Soledad House behavioral therapist help you overcome substance abuse? Call 866.314.3222 today to find out more about behavioral therapy for women in our center.
