Addiction Treatment Therapy for Women
Addiction treatment and mental health therapy go hand in hand. Our gender-specific approach concentrates on what works best for women, offering a supportive and therapeutic environment. Since women often experience addiction and mental health disorders concurrently, we strive to provide women the help they need to get healthy.
At New Directions, we offer several programs intended for women in most circumstances. Addiction is a lifelong battle, and our substance abuse psychologists are experienced in treating women with addictions to various substances.
The emotional and physical needs of women are undeniably different from men. Therefore, specialized treatment proves more successful than traditional treatment.
Women’s Mental Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that women are more likely to experience anxiety or depression in all age brackets compared to men. The mental distress women occasionally face is typically concerning environmental, psychosocial, and biological variables.
Researchers believe that the biological differences that may lead to more anxiety and depression are associated with women’s brain structure and hormones. Another heavily researched aspect is developmental concerns in women. Though not necessarily having to do with gender, women are more likely to fall victim to social stigma, lower socioeconomic status, and domestic violence. 
The stress involved in the issues above may lead women to self-medication, substance abuse, or other addictions.
Women’s Mental Health Care History
Women’s mental health care has been stigmatized for generations. Historically, the challenges that women face regarding gender-specific physical and psychological health have been demeaned. Terms such as “fragile” and “emotional” have hindered the support needed regarding women’s mental health. Dating back to the 1800s, research on women’s mental health was uncommon.
Women’s Mental Health Care Today
Healthcare for women has drastically improved over the years. Women can find the healthcare they deserve while being less stigmatized. Women are more likely than men to develop mental illness. At New Directions, we take women’s health incredibly seriously and have designed treatment specifically for women and their circumstances.
Drug Addiction Therapy For Women
Our treatment programs at New Directions are designed by women, for women. Since choosing the right program is difficult, we offer programs that cover a vast amount of circumstances. Our specialized therapeutic approaches increase the success and longevity of sobriety.
Since mental health and addiction are intertwined, our substance abuse psychologists work to help women heal trauma and break away from addiction. Some of the drug addiction therapy programs we offer are:
Individual Therapy
Addiction treatment and drug addiction therapy is a multifaceted process. Individual therapy plays a vital role in getting clients clear on their issues as well as their goals. Our substance abuse psychologists strive to find patient’s triggers, eventually leading them to a more stable life.
A safe place for women to open up is a small but crucial part of the recovery process. When it comes to addiction recovery, there is no easy road. Individual therapy gives clients the support and opportunity to talk about and understand their addiction and life circumstances.
Individual therapy works by helping patients understand:
- Their triggers
- The cause and impact of their behavioral patterns
- How their past experiences affect their mental health
- The route to developing relapse prevention skills
Based on the severity of the client’s addictions, individual therapy can range from one day a week to every day.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is especially beneficial for women overcoming addiction. While individual therapy offers a one-on-one approach to counseling, group therapy provides you with the perspective of others like yourself. A therapist will lead sessions in which everyone shares their experiences and feelings. During these sessions, participants will learn different coping skills and how to apply them to real-world situations using role play.
A few benefits of group therapy include:
- Peer support
- Exposure to different views
- Support of a community of like-minded individuals
Women struggling with recovery can use group therapy as a means to connect over similar issues. By sharing with fellow women, they won’t feel alone, and they’ll feel like they have a community behind them helping with their sobriety.
Family Therapy
Women have specific responsibilities that men typically do not have. New Directions offers treatment for women who need child care as well. Family therapy instills an open line of communication in the household.
A safe area, mentally and physically, is vital for children while their parent deals with addiction or substance abuse. Our substance abuse psychologists encourage all family members to open up their emotions and concerns to their loved ones.
The benefit of family therapy is that it allows family members to understand the issues taking place. A broader perspective is intended for the family to create a supportive environment and begin the healing process.
Play Therapy
If a child is too young to participate in family therapy, we offer an alternative called play therapy. When a young child cannot express feelings or concerns yet, play therapy allows them to express themselves.
Play therapy often is successful in dealing with issues in children such as:
- Abuse
- Emotional Issues
- Aggression
- Neglect
- Attachment Issues
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Our substance abuse psychotherapists help clients recognize damaging thought patterns and habits that feed their addiction. CBT sessions offer a safe environment for women to manage internalized thoughts and emotions. Once clients assess their cognitive patterns, our behavioral therapists provide constructive habits for the clients to practice.
The recovery process does not happen overnight, but clients can expect to gain life-changing skills. Instead of using substances to cope, clients find new ways to manage self-doubt, emotions, or negative thoughts.
Some benefits of CBT are:
- Women-centered support system
- Positive and constructive thoughts
- Increased self-esteem
- Social and communication skills
- Relapse prevention
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Managing emotions and maintaining healthy relationships is an essential part of mental health. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy that teaches these specific skills.
To treat ailments such as depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, PTSD, bulimia, and binge-eating, DBT focuses on teaching four primary skills:
- Mindfulness: Clients learn to focus on the present moment. Mindfulness is a skill that takes practice and repetition.
- Distress Tolerance: Instead of escaping emotions, we focus on increasing the client’s tolerance for negative emotions.
- Emotional Regulation: High-intensity emotions make it difficult to manage problems in our lives. In DBT, we offer methods that help clients address these emotions. In turn, clients are then able to face their issues from a more level-headed perspective.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Building self-respect goes a long way in therapy and recovery. The ability to communicate assertively builds positive relationships with friends, family, and even yourself.
DBT includes individual therapy as well. Regular sessions conducted by therapists and substance abuse psychologists keep clients motivated and open to learning. Individual therapy is provided alongside group therapy to give the client multiple avenues to heal and grow.
Experiential Therapy
Some clients find that their avenue to growth and healing is through physical activity. Experiential therapy uses many challenging and rewarding activities designed for clients to find a deeper connection within themselves.
Whether it’s hiking, rock climbing, or equine therapy, we build client’s awareness of their communication skills. Physical fitness does not only improve physical health, but it’s proven to affect mental health as well. Clients push to engage in exercise, including bicycling, walking, or working out with a personal trainer at our on-site gym.
Holistic Therapy
New Directions offers holistic treatment focused on the mind, body, and spirit. The goal of holistic therapy is to use natural recovery methods to replace unhealthy thoughts and habits.
Recovery from substance abuse relies heavily on one’s connection to self. We focus on strengthening the relationship between the mind, body, and spirit of our clients. Within meditation and yoga, words like “mindfulness” and “presence” are commonly used. In holistic therapy, we use mindfulness and being in the present moment to assist with impulsive thoughts and decisions.
Some issues treated with holistic therapy are:
- Mood regulation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma from abuse or sexual assault
- Sleep ailments
Holistic Therapy and Women
Research shows women generally choose alternative forms of treatment such as holistic therapy for the following reasons:
- The desire for a natural approach versus medication
- Personal beliefs
- Dissatisfaction or lack of success with conventional medicine
- Cost of traditional treatment
- Recommendations by family and friends who have experienced success with holistic therapy
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Women
When women are battling addiction, there are commonly other issues that need attention as well. New Directions For Women is well equipped to give women with a dual diagnosis (or co-occurring disorders) the help they need.
A dual diagnosis happens when a mental health disorder coexists with substance abuse. Women suffering from certain conditions may find themselves becoming addicted to substances. Addictions can simply be a result of how the patient deals with her situation.
Common co-occurring disorders are:
- Eating Disorders
- Mood Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Why Are Women-Specific Therapies Beneficial?
Women-only programs have several benefits when it comes to successful treatment. Gender differences hinder traditional treatment for some men and women. Women typically deal with circumstances differently from men, which is a disadvantage in conventional treatment.
At New Directions, we focus solely on the best way to help women overcome addiction. Our specific approaches take into account the way women deal with and heal from addiction and trauma.
By catering only to women, we create an environment that feels free of pressure and judgment. We also cater to the fact that women often have childcare responsibilities. Breaking down barriers within treatment is essential to us. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, please contact us today.
