Addiction Counselling and Therapy

What is Addiction Counselling and Therapy?

Addiction counselling focuses on one-on-one sessions where individuals work directly with a trained counsellor to address their addiction. This personalised approach helps clients explore the underlying causes of their addiction, develop tailored coping strategies, and set achievable goals for recovery. Through these individualised sessions, clients receive dedicated support to navigate their path to a healthier, addiction-free life. If necessary, the counsellor will refer clients to additional resources or support services to further aid in their recovery journey. Also, this collaborative addiction services are involve both counsellors and clinical psychologists combining their expertise to offer a comprehensive and effective treatment approach.

Procedures

The procedures of psychotherapy typically involve several key steps:

  1. 90-minutes Initial Consultation:

    • Information Gather : The counsellor gathers information about your mental health history, current symptoms, and reasons for seeking therapy.
    • Assessment : The counsellor may use questionnaires or interviews to understand your situation better.
  2. Assessment and Evaluation:

    • Psychological Assessment : Conducts a comprehensive psychological assessment, including diagnostic interviews and standardized tests, to identify any co-occurring mental health disorders and underlying psychological issues.
    • Risk and Needs Assessment : Collaboratively assess the client’s risks and needs, ensuring that both addiction severity and psychological factors are addressed.
    • Medical Evaluation (if necessary) : Refers clients for a medical evaluation if there are signs of severe physical health issues or withdrawal symptoms and may require input from clinical psychologists when complex cases arise.
  3. Treatment Plan Development:

    • Subsequent Sessions: Creates a personalized treatment plan based on the intake assessment and psychological evaluation. This plan includes goals, treatment modalities, and schedules tailored to address both addiction and any psychological factors identified. The treatment plan may be reviewed and discussed with a clinical psychologist to ensure it effectively addresses both the addiction and psychological needs of the client.
  4. Implementation of Treatment:

    • Counselling and Therapy : Provides individual counseling sessions focusing on addiction management, coping strategies, and relapse prevention. 
    • Support Services : Coordinates with clients to access additional support services such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) group and  NA (Narcotics Anonymous) group meetings. 
  5. Progress Evaluation:

    • Regular Progress Reviews : Conducts regular progress reviews to assess how well the client is meeting treatment goals and adhering to the treatment plan. At the same time, we will make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed based on the client’s progress and any emerging issues.
    • Feedback : Engages with the client to gather feedback on the treatment process and make necessary adjustments.
  6. Aftercare Planning:

    • Continued Support: Develops an aftercare plan to support the client’s transition from primary treatment. This includes continued counselling, referrals to support groups, and connections to community resources. Also, we will ensure that the client has a plan for ongoing support and resources to help maintain sobriety and address any continuing needs.
  7. Follow-Up:

    • Subsequent sessions: Provides follow-up support and monitors the client’s progress post-treatment, as well as coordinates with other service providers as necessary to ensure comprehensive care.

  8. Termination:

    • Ending Therapy: Once your goals have been met, you and the counsellor will discuss ending therapy. You may also have follow-up sessions to ensure continued progress.

Types of Addiction We Can Help With

The types of addictions we can help with include:

  1. Substance Addiction:
    • Alcohol: Dependency on alcohol leads to physical and psychological effects.
    • Drugs: This includes prescription medications (like opioids), illegal drugs (like cocaine or methamphetamine), and other substances.
  2. Behavioural Addictions:
    • Gambling: Compulsive gambling despite negative consequences.
    • Food: Issues related to binge eating or restrictive eating behaviors.

Approaches We Apply

Here are some of our approaches applied to our clients:

  1. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT) : Helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to their addiction.
  2. Motivational interviewing (MI) : A collaborative approach that helps clients build motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence.
  3. 12-Step Programs: Structured programs based on the 12-step philosophy, like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous), that emphasize peer support and personal responsibility.

What are the rules and guidelines?

To help you prepare for your counseling experience, here are some essential rules and guidelines to keep in mind:

  1. Medical Evaluation (if necessary): If there are indications of severe physical health issues or withdrawal symptoms, a referral to a medical professional for a physical examination and possibly detoxification might be required.
  2. Confidentiality: Client information is kept confidential, respecting privacy laws and regulations.
  3. Attendance: Regular attendance at scheduled sessions or meetings is often required for successful treatment.
  4. No Substance Use: Clients are expected to abstain from substance use during treatment and may be subject to drug testing.
  5. Respect: All interactions within treatment settings are expected to be respectful and supportive.
  6. Engagement: Clients are encouraged to actively participate in their treatment plans and engage in all recommended therapies and activities.