Therapy Options for Addiction Rehab Clients

Therapy is an essential part of addiction recovery, but there’s numerous types of therapy for clients to choose from.

This article explores the types of therapy available in Toronto as part of Trafalgar’s programs, and examines the unique benefits each one offers.

It’s important to note that these types of therapy are not mutually exclusive from one another. Clients may participate in some or every different type of therapy as part of our addiction treatment program.

Individual therapy

Individual therapy is the most traditional form of therapy. It’s when an individual has a one-on-one discussion with a therapist. The discussion is held within a private setting, and the contents of the discussion are not shared by the therapist with anyone else.

Individual addiction counselling enables the therapist to devote 100% of their attention to a single client. This typically makes for relatively quick progress. Individual therapy also has the benefit of privacy, which for many, helps them to open up and be honest in a way they would not do in a group setting. 

Group therapy

Toronto group addiction therapy features multiple clients in one place, talking about their issues together. These sessions are moderated and facilitated by a therapist, who leads thought exercises and discussions for all involved.

Though group therapy cannot match individual therapy for the depth of exploration, its nature permits unique benefits that are especially good for addiction rehab programs in Toronto. One such benefit is the feeling of community. Addiction is so often stigmatized that discussing it openly, even with a therapist, can feel shameful. But in a group setting, filled with others who understand what the client is going through, it becomes easier to open up. 

Group therapy also acts as a venue to practice role play and social skills, and incorporate feedback from fellow members. By participating in exercises together, group members are able to see the progress made by their peers, and form bonds of reciprocal accountability, making each one feel as part of a team. 

Family therapy

Addiction impacts more than one person; it impacts entire families. Family therapy acknowledges this by including family members in therapy sessions, along with the client. 

Family therapy explores how each member of the family is affected by the client’s addiction, and teaches them techniques to cope with their anxiety while acting as a support system for the client. This extends the usefulness of therapy sessions outside of office hours, as it prepares families to have productive discussions at home. 

Partner support therapy

Partner support therapy is a unique component of our rehab programs. It involves a loved one, often a spouse, but sometimes another family member, have a one-on-one session with a therapist. 

Though the partner is not the one addiction, they are still greatly affected by the addiction. This can lead to feelings of resentment, anxiety, depression or anger. Coping with these feelings is difficult, especially because addressing the source of them, the addict, is a sensitive manner. Partner support therapy is therefore an outlet for loved ones to explore their authentic feelings, and develop a deeper level of empathy for their addicted family member.  

VR and EMDR therapy

Some therapy techniques include the groundbreaking use of technologies, like Toronto virtual reality and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. In each case, these treatment methods are usually part of individual therapy sessions.

VR and EMDR therapy are complementing tools of therapy, not a replacement for them. They are used to alter the client’s perception, encouraging them to open up or creating simulations of real-life scenarios. In either case, the use of these technologies can be extremely beneficial to the recovery of a client in an addiction treatment program.