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How Can Talk Therapy Help with Addiction?

a man talks while participating in talk therapy during a group program

Therapy is an essential part of addiction recovery. Addiction therapy comes in different approaches, with talk therapy or psychotherapy being one of the most well-known and accessible tools to help people recover. Talk therapy can provide consistent support and help clients overcome daily stressors, addiction triggers, and unresolved trauma for long-term sobriety and wellness.

If you or someone you love is looking for a talk therapy program in New Hampshire, A Better State can help. Our clinic provides clients with trauma-informed outpatient care for addiction and mental health, including talk therapy. Call us now at 781.412.1488 to learn more about our comprehensive individual therapy program in Hudson, New Hampshire, and find the right therapist for you today.

What Is Talk Therapy?

As the name suggests, talk therapy involves conversational sessions between a patient and a certified therapist. Also called psychotherapy, there are several types of talk therapy, including behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and other specialized modalities designed to meet the client’s specific goals.

During a session, patients meet with their therapist for an hour at a time. Some meet with their therapist weekly or more frequently during stressful times. Depending on the therapist’s specialty and therapeutic approach, they will work through exercises, and talk about a patient’s belief systems, thought patterns, fears, anxieties, and goals.

Some exercises may include role play and homework between sessions. The therapist will give formal assessments for mood disorders and evaluate the patient’s overall mental health to make the best recommendations and referrals for treatment. Over time, talk therapy sessions help clients make significant life changes at a pace that works for them.

Benefits of Talk Therapy for Addiction Recovery

Talk therapy can help most people deal with changes, stress, and daily challenges throughout their lives. For many people living with addiction, talk therapy can help them get to the root cause of addictive behaviors. Benefits of individual talk therapy for addiction recovery include:

  • Improved self-awareness
  • Understanding addiction triggers
  • Ability to withstand difficult emotions without substance use
  • Understand thought patterns and belief systems
  • Ability to change thoughts and emotions without substance use
  • Improved understanding of relationship dynamics
  • Trauma healing
  • Diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders
  • Mental health education and awareness
  • Knowing how to ask for help
  • Better awareness of personal mental health
  • Consistent support system through regular appointments
  • Increased empathy and emotional intelligence
  • Improved communication skills
  • Tools for stress management

Talk therapy is highly individualized and aims to help patients meet their sobriety goals. A therapist can help someone build a relapse prevention plan, connect with other mental health providers, and focus on both long- and short-term goals. Individual therapy can be a great addition to group and family therapy and also pairs well with experiential therapies like art, yoga, or wilderness therapy.

Working with a psychologist provides clients with an objective professional support system to manage major life changes and addiction triggers and reduce the risk of relapse. Those who undergo regular individual therapy sessions are less likely to relapse or engage in self-harming behavior during recovery.

Get Help Finding Your Trauma-Informed Talk Therapist from A Better State

No matter the stage of recovery, talk therapy can make a difference. If you or someone you love needs a psychotherapist in the New Hampshire area, we can help. We offer daytime and evening intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) or partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). Our Hudson, New Hampshire clinic also provides holistic, trauma-informed approaches to addiction and mental health. Our mental health treatment programs include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments. If you’re ready for dual diagnosis treatment that fits your schedule, contact A Better State now at 781.412.1488 to learn about our programs and find the right therapist today.