While it may be common knowledge that combining psychotherapy and counseling results in a more successful drug and alcohol treatment, do you know the difference between the two? These terms are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences. By having a better grasp of each, you’ll understand why effective drug and alcohol counseling centers on this multi-approach.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves personal counseling with a trained and licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist. Psychotherapy is a longer-term approach to mental health recovery and substance abuse treatment. The intent of the counseling sessions is to create a relationship that promotes trust and fosters open dialogue. During this time, the client receives insight into his or her chronic physical and emotional problems. However, rather than focusing on the problems, it reveals the thought processes of the client. There are underlying issues that cause and trigger addiction. By uncovering these, the client has a better understanding of how they became addicted and how they can change their behavior and thought processes to choose a healthier life, free from the deadly hold of substance abuse.
Counseling
Counseling, on the other hand, is typically a treatment that focuses primarily on behavior instead of the underlying issues. With counseling, the sessions focus on the addiction rather than thought processes. Counseling sessions offer the client the opportunity to learn life-building skills directly related to the success of their recovery. From how to prevent relapse to rebuilding relationships that may have been destroyed by addiction, counseling gives clients the foundation they need to support their sobriety. One form of counseling offered at The Ranch PA is addictions counseling. During sessions, clients gain a chemical dependency education that reveals not only the causes and reasons of addictive behavior, but also an understanding of the science behind it. By revealing the neurological process of addiction and how it affects the brain, clients have greater control over their own recovery. Photo: The Ranch PA
