One-on-one Counseling
When things change inside of you, they can change all around you.
HVRC’s one-on-one counseling is a treatment intervention based on individual conversations with a certified substance use disorder (SUD) counselor or licensed therapist. It occurs exclusively between a client and a SUD clinician whereas group counseling involves a peer setting. Although distinct treatment modalities, both one-on-one counseling and group counseling complement each other, facilitating deep intrapersonal and interpersonal work. As an example, a sexual abuse survivor may feel comfortable working with a psychotherapist in a private setting but also can benefit from processing feelings with other trauma survivors during our group process groups. Keep reading to learn about HVRC’s outpatient one-on-one counseling or CLICK HERE to learn about our group counseling.
Why one-on-one counseling to treat SUD
One-on-one counseling is a cornerstone of the HVRC treatment and recovery process. Using evidence-based approaches, HVRC uses one-on-one behavioral counseling to create the framework for guiding clients through the steps that will aid in preventing relapse into substance use when triggered through life’s stressors.
Understanding the root cause of client’s substance use disorder and creating strategies to overcome them are essential steps in achieving lasting recovery. One-on-one counseling is facilitated by the same counselor or therapist conducting addiction education. This allows our counselors or therapists to maintain a constant insight on their clients and thus design an individualized treatment plan. It is also important to note that it is imperative that clients become an active participant in the collaborative problem-solving process to alter any maladaptive behavioral patterns developed.
Individual counseling provides privacy to those persons who are not willing to disclose their substance abuse publicly. Some clients have concerns that doing so may damage their careers and reputations. Additionally, in one-on-one treatment, the pace can be flexible to meet the needs and treatment goals of the individual client. When compared to group counseling, much more time can be spent on issues that are unique to the individual involved. Furthermore, some clients have particular personality disorders that do not lend themselves to group involvement.
How we use one-on-one counseling
One-on-one counseling takes place at least once per week in an office setting. Counselors or therapists work with clients in a private setting to address the underlying root causes of their substance abuse. Using a collective set of therapeutic interventions, the variables which created the client’s predisposition for chemical dependency can be overcome.
Clinicians combine elements from several styles of psychotherapy, blending elements from different modalities and tailoring their treatment according to client’s specific needs.
Clients are exposed to a powerful and invasive process which promotes well-being, mindfulness, and integration of treatment concepts into their daily life.
Each client’s course of individualized counseling will vary according to their care, needs, and lifestyle. However, the process invariably consists of addressing the root causes of their addiction, the traumatic and dysfunctional experiences that have contributed to their drug or alcohol abuse, and the behavioral consequences that they’ve sustained during their active drinking and drug use.
One-on-one counseling techniques
In addition to the traditional talk therapy aspect, one-on-one counseling employs a wide range of supplemental techniques dependent upon clients’ individual conditions and needs. Throughout the SUD and co-occurring disorder counseling process, clients work with their counselor and/or therapist to develop behavioral coping mechanisms to assist in relapse prevention, independence in recovery, and management of toxic and dysfunctional emotions. This process includes learning to avoid contact and engagement with illicit drugs and alcohol, and what thought patterns to rely on when they are present. These therapies and counseling techniques include, but are not limited to:
In conclusion, the HVRC treatment and recovery process begins, progresses, and ends with one-on-one counseling.
