When seeking treatment for substance use disorder or mental health issues, it is easy to get bogged down in terminology. Many kinds of therapy and treatment are available, but which one will be best for you or your loved one? Person-centered therapy is one kind of therapy that can be used in the context of substance use disorder treatment, but what is it? How can it help someone trying to change their relationship with drugs or alcohol? One of the best ways to feel empowered when seeking help for substance abuse is to learn more about the different therapies and treatment options available.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, contact Serenity grove today at 844.904.3485 to learn about our substance abuse treatment options.
What Is Person-Centered Therapy, and When Is it Used?
Although traditional individual therapy sees the counselor as the one who guides the process, person-centered therapy is an approach that encourages the client to direct the course of treatment. The counselor or therapist is non-judgmental and takes a back seat when deciding treatment goals or what to talk about in a session. This does not mean that the therapist is passive or doesn’t participate. Instead, the client is the one who can feel in control of the process. This can be especially helpful in cases where clients have experienced trauma or need to build confidence in their abilities.
3 Benefits of Person-Centered Therapy for Substance Abuse
1. Recovery Is Personal
Recovery is a personal journey. Everyone who seeks treatment for substance abuse has their reasons for doing so, as well as their circumstances and background. Person-centered therapy honors the individual and recognizes that each client has different goals and needs in the therapeutic process.
2. Clients Feel in Control
Person-centered therapy helps the client see themselves as in control. Substance abuse can strip a person of their confidence and make them feel very out of control. Person-centered therapy can help to restore a client’s perception of themselves as a person who can manage and make healthy decisions.
3. Stops Retraumatization
For those who have experienced trauma, person-centered therapy avoids confrontation and feelings of judgment, which keeps the client from being re-traumatized by the therapeutic process. This approach can also help clients who have experienced trauma restore their feelings of trust and security in the therapeutic relationship.
How Can Substance Abuse Treatment Help You or a Loved One?
It can be a tough decision to look for help. Substance use is a complex issue and often requires professional help to recover from it. Studies have shown that people participating in a substance abuse treatment program have an easier time maintaining their recovery, returning to work or school, and rejoining family activities and hobbies. In short, seeking treatment can be complex, but it can also allow you or your loved one to get back on track and start living life again.
There are many types of treatment programs, including:
- Residential programs where clients stay at the treatment center for a period of time are a good choice for some, especially those who are experiencing withdrawal or just beginning their recovery journey.
- Outpatient programs where clients live at home and participate in treatment during the day or evening are a good option for those with responsibilities such as work or school.
- Intensive outpatient programs, which offer more hours of treatment than regular outpatient programs but still allow the client to live at home, can be an excellent middle ground for those who need more support than an outpatient program but cannot commit to a residential program.
Serenity Grove Offers Person-Centered Therapy for Substance Use
At our treatment center in Athens, Georgia, we offer an array of programming that can help our clients get into recovery and maintain it over time. We recognize that each client has specific needs and circumstances, so we offer a holistic, person-centered approach to recovery care. If you or someone you care about has been struggling with substance use disorder, reach out to us today at 844.904.3485.
