Navigating Your Way Through Different Types of Counseling

Addiction recovery involves many kinds of treatments, therapies, medication, and even counseling. When you start seeking help to overcome your substance dependency, you may feel a little overwhelmed with the terminologies and details regarding each form of treatment. 

However, what might seem a little complex at first is quite easy to navigate through, especially when you know what you are seeking the counseling for.

Therapy has many forms and formats, each aimed at helping patients heal and recover in a unique way. When you determine the “why” behind your need for counseling, it will be easier to approach the right professional and proceed with sessions. 

Recognizing and Acknowledging Your Symptoms 

The first step towards finding the right type of counseling is recognizing or determining your symptoms. Counselors specialize in helping individuals heal from their trauma and suffering, but their methods specifically target specific symptoms or diagnoses. 

By narrowing down your individual symptoms, a professional will be able to tailor a treatment that caters specifically to your needs, helping you heal better and more efficiently.

Some of the symptoms that counselors can help you with include:

• Anxiety: Anxiety often manifests in the form of constant restlessness and a sense of impending doom. You may feel pressured all the time like you are carrying a significant weight on your shoulders. Individuals who suffer from anxiety may find it challenging to rest, concentrate, think clearly, sleep, and focus on daily activities and conversations.

• Depression: Contrary to the popular misconception, depression does not mean that an individual is always sad. Clinical depression is one of the most complex of all mental health disorders and requires a specific approach to treatment. Those suffering from depression may look and behave like any other person in the room, but their thoughts remain distant and preoccupied. Hobbies, social interactions, events, happenings, and even personal relationships no longer interest them, and they may constantly feel disconnected from the world surrounding them.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD isn’t just a condition that soldiers suffer from. Trauma of any form can cause individuals to struggle with PTSD. No pre-defined age group is more vulnerable to this disorder; it can affect adults and children alike.

• Substance Abuse and Addiction: Addiction affects anyone irrespective of their age, gender, socio-economic background, class, color, religion, or ethnicity. If left untreated, it can affect and potentially destroy all aspects of an individual’s life.

Therapies Used for Addiction Recovery 

Some of the most prominent therapies that counselors use for individuals seeking help for addiction include:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Mindfulness and Meditation

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Psychoanalysis

Choosing the Counseling That Is Right for You

It is easy to feel overwhelmed with the amount of information you receive when you start looking for help. The names may feel alien and complex, and the number of therapies can make it seem like there are too many to navigate. So how does one choose which therapy is suitable for their symptoms?

There are people who have successfully healed with the help of just one specific type of counseling. However, others may require multiple therapies and treatments to recover. The counseling that works for someone else may not work the same way or with the same efficacy for you. 

Some valuable tips to keep in mind until you find the right counseling include:

#1. Shortlist Professionals Based on Your Symptoms 

Counselors usually have extensive training in multiple behavioral disciplines, but some specialize in certain kinds of therapies. To find the one that fits your needs, take some time out to write down all the symptoms you are experiencing. This will lay the groundwork for your search and make it significantly easier and much faster.

#2. Experimentation With Trial and Error 

There is nothing wrong with scheduling an appointment with a counselor and sitting through a session only to find that the counselor does not fit you and your needs. These are trained professionals, and you can easily speak your mind to them without thinking that you might offend them. 

Simply let them know that their methods may not suit you, and you wish to see another therapist. The best part about being open is, your current therapist or counselor may end up referring you to a different practice or professional based on what you’re looking for.

#3. Do Your Homework 

Doing research before scheduling appointments can help you save a lot of time and effect and get to where you want to be without delays. Research can involve looking through patient testimonials and reviews for a counselor you’re interested in or simply asking your primary care physician or doctor for their professional recommendations. 

Another very effective way of finding the right therapist is by speaking to friends or family members who have been through a similar situation and asking them who they went to. 

The road to recovery can seem intimidating, especially since it involves many different professionals, treatment modalities, medication, and lifestyle changes. It may not be easy, but we promise you that it will be the most rewarding thing you have ever experienced in your life. At The Forge Recovery Center, your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being remains our top priority. Our programs and therapies are aimed at helping you recover from your addiction.

The Forge’s combination of group and therapeutic connections helps our clients master themselves, forging new, fulfilling lives and achieving their dreams. If you wish to learn more about the different types of therapies and counseling available at The Forge Recovery Center, call us today to get in touch with one of our experts.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

April 22, 2022