Rehab Centers That Offer Individualized Counseling

There are numerous approaches to addiction treatment, and some treatment methods are more effective for specific individuals. Individualized counseling is a common treatment service used in many alcohol and drug rehab programs.

Most recovery programs implement a variety of treatment modalities for a comprehensive approach. Individualized counseling is often a part of this comprehensive treatment plan as it can help address mental health in rehab. It takes place between the patient and a counselor, making it a very personal service.

Read on to learn more about individualized counseling including how it works, who can benefit from it most, and more.

Individualized counseling is a form of talk therapy that takes place between a counselor or therapist and an individual. Counseling involves conversations with your health provider about your addiction and your recovery journey.

Key elements of individualized counseling include personalized treatment plans and one-on-one sessions that involve discussions about your experience with addiction, your goals, worries, and achievements. Most addiction treatment centers that offer individualized counseling also offer group counseling. While the core of these treatment services is similar, there are some differences that set the two approaches apart.

The biggest difference between individual and group counseling is that group counseling takes place between a counselor and a group of individuals with substance use disorders (SUD). Group therapy offers unique benefits in comparison to individual counseling.

Some people find that group counseling allows them to find a sense of accountability, make new connections, build support systems, and be inspired by others. Hearing someone else’s story with addiction can remind you that you are not alone.

Because both approaches are beneficial, many treatment plans implement individual and group counseling simultaneously.

There are many benefits of individualized counseling when used in drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Benefits can include tailored treatment plans, devoted attention, and enhanced recovery outcomes.

As mentioned previously, one of the appealing components of individual counseling is individualized treatment plans. Individual counseling allows the patient and the counselor to take a deep dive into their goals and concerns surrounding recovery. From there, you and your counselor can devise a unique treatment approach to achieve these goals and mitigate your worries.

On a similar note, individual counseling allows counselors to devote their full attention to you during your session. One-on-one conversations ensure that more time is being set aside to discuss you and your needs, which can make treatment much more effective. Your therapist will be able to analyze your conversations more deeply allowing for more growth and development.

Lastly, individualized counseling often leads to better treatment outcomes. Implementing counseling into a well-rounded treatment plan can improve rates of sobriety and encourage long-term recovery. Counseling addresses your mental health and can help teach you healthier ways to cope with stress, both of which can be beneficial in the long run.

Individualized counseling may look a bit different from rehab center to rehab center. However, the three main components tend to be the same across the board.

To start, you’ll have an initial assessment with your counselor. During your initial assessment, you’ll have a conversation about your history with substance abuse including the extent and duration of your addiction, your goals for recovery, and any concerns you may have about the process. You may also discuss previous treatment (if applicable) and what did and did not work for you.

From there, your counselor will be able to create a unique treatment plan to address your specific needs. They may also use this assessment to diagnose any co-occurring disorders such as mental health conditions.

Once you’ve completed your initial assessment, you’ll attend ongoing therapy sessions. The frequency of individualized sessions varies based on your needs and the program you choose to enroll in, but common frequencies are daily, twice a week, or once a week.

During ongoing sessions, you’ll have a conversation with your counselor about any progress or breakthroughs you’ve made, any concerns you have, or any stressors that have come up. Your therapist will use ongoing sessions to track your progress and see how you’ve grown throughout treatment.

Addiction recovery is not a linear process and often involves a lot of trial and error. As a result, your treatment plan will likely be adjusted throughout the process based on your needs and the progress you’ve made.

Individual counseling can be very effective and beneficial for a wide range of Americans with substance abuse problems. However, it’s common for counseling to be part of a well-rounded treatment plan. In other words, many people receive other evidence-based treatment options alongside individual counseling.

While it’s possible to receive individual counseling on its own, many people choose to enroll in a rehab program. They are often broken into two categories: inpatient and outpatient treatment.

Inpatient rehab is considered the highest level of care in addiction recovery. People who choose inpatient programs live in the treatment facility for the length of their recovery program to receive round-the-clock care.

Outpatient treatment is often used as a step down from inpatient care or are a good first step for people with less severe addictions. Outpatient rehab is offered on specific days of the week during which patients travel to receive care.

There are also intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) which serve as in-between steps for inpatient and outpatient care. Both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs may implement other treatment services like 12-step programs or medication-assisted treatment.

Many people who are just starting their recovery journey choose to undergo a medical detoxification service.

Detox is the process by which toxins such as alcohol or drugs are removed from the body. Think of it as a clean slate for rehab. Detoxing from addictive substances can be very difficult and even dangerous, which is what makes medical supervision so important.

During detox, your healthcare providers will make the process as safe and comfortable as possible by administering medications, helping you manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and monitoring your vitals.

For people with mental health disorders in addition to addiction, dual diagnosis treatment can be a great way to address everything at once. Dual diagnosis treatment focuses on mental health treatment to prevent exacerbation of SUDs.

Counseling is usually a large part of dual diagnosis treatment, but many people also receive behavioral therapy as part of their recovery.

Behavioral therapy is designed to address behavioral health by reframing thought processes, teaching healthy coping mechanisms, and teaching individuals to feel safe when experiencing negative emotions.

There are several kinds of behavioral therapy, but the most common are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing. Some individuals may also find family therapy to be beneficial as part of their dual diagnosis treatment.

Many rehab programs offer aftercare or continuing care for the transitional period after you complete your treatment plan.

Aftercare is essentially any treatment service you choose to continue following your program. This is ultimately based on what is most beneficial for you, so this could include joining a support group, trying holistic therapies, continuing regular counseling sessions, or trying new, healthy hobbies.

Relapse prevention education is also an important part of aftercare. The idea is to teach you skills to avoid relapse and how to identify a relapse in the future.

Nearly anyone receiving alcohol and drug addiction treatment can benefit from individualized counseling. However, certain groups may reap the benefits more than others. These include individuals with co-occurring disorders, high-functioning individuals, and patients with previous treatment failures.

Many people with SUDs also have mental health conditions, known as co-occurring disorders. Mental health issues can be a side effect of addiction or be the cause of addiction. In most cases, addiction and co-occurring disorders feed off of each other.

Common co-occurring disorders include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety.

One-on-one therapy can be very effective for people with co-occurring disorders as it can simultaneously treat addiction and mental illness. For many people with co-occurring disorders, they turn to addictive substances to cope with the symptoms of their mental health disorders.

Individual counseling can help work through these unpleasant symptoms and teach individuals to cope with their negative emotions in healthier ways.

High-functioning individuals are people with addictions who appear to be functioning normally. In other words, they may maintain their responsibilities at work, school, at home, or with their loved ones. However, they still struggle with substance abuse and need treatment.

Individual counseling can be especially beneficial for high-functioning individuals who may not need to enroll in a residential or inpatient treatment program. Individuals may find it more suitable to their lifestyle and responsibilities to attend regular counseling sessions as an outpatient.

Additionally, because individualized counseling offers personalized treatment plans, high-functioning individuals may be able to address their unique needs as someone who appears to be fine on the outside but is struggling internally.

People who have tried other kinds of addiction treatment that were not successful or effective for their needs may also benefit from individual counseling. Addiction and addiction recovery are very personal journeys. That being said, treatment services are not one-size-fits-all.

Many people in addiction recovery find that they have to try different treatment methods to discover what is the most beneficial to them. For those who have tried other treatment services and did not feel they were effective, individual counseling can offer a different approach.

Because individual counseling also addresses mental health and can be tailored to individual needs, some people feel they are able to uncover more or make more breakthroughs in counseling compared to other treatment methods.

Once you identify that individual counseling is the right treatment approach for you and your needs, you’ll need to find a rehab center that offers the service. In addition to that, you’ll want to ensure you find the right facility for you, one that is reliable and reputable.

To find a treatment center that specializes in individualized counseling, it’s important to specify so in your internet search. To narrow it down further, you’ll want to take advantage of resources like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) treatment locator. This locator can be immensely helpful as you can find rehab programs in your area and even filter them by type of treatment.

Similarly, you may want to try using the NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) search engine. For more detailed information about individual treatment facilities including services offered, contact information, and payment options, check out our lists of top rehab centers in each state.

Once you find a potential treatment center, there are a few things you’ll want to take a better look at. First, we recommend utilizing client reviews and testimonials to get a better idea of what the patient experience may be like. You can find these either on the rehab center’s website or on sites like Google and Yelp.

Another important factor to consider is whether or not a recovery center has accreditations like the Joint Commission accreditation and the Commission of Accreditation on Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Likewise, look for treatment centers with experienced staff. Both of these components indicate a reliable rehab program.

We also recommend visiting treatment centers in person and asking any remaining questions you may have.

These can include questions like:

• Do you offer individualized counseling?
• What are your payment options?
• How will my treatment plan be developed?
• How long is your treatment program?
• What certifications and licenses do your staff have?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• Do you offer payment assistance?
• Do you offer any amenities?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?

While individual counseling is an effective treatment service for many struggling with addiction, it does not come without its challenges. Here are a few things to consider when looking into individual counseling for addiction.

Much like other addiction treatment services, individual counseling can be quite costly, which may not be a feasible expense for every individual. However, there are options to make this service more accessible.

If you have health insurance, you may be able to get the cost of your counseling covered at least partially. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all marketplace plans are required to cover substance abuse treatment to some extent. Different insurance plans have different requirements for coverage, so be sure to check with your insurance provider for details.

Insurance companies may cover the cost of individual counseling once you’ve met your deductible or may require you to pay a copay for each session.

If you don’t have insurance, you may be able to find free or low-cost treatment nearby. There are also rehab centers that offer scholarships or other financing options like payment plans or sliding scale payments.

Depending on where you live, it may be a bit more challenging to find rehab facilities that offer individual counseling. There are not always easily accessible recovery centers everywhere in the country. On top of that, counselors may not have any availability for new patients. This can be an obstacle in your search for treatment.

While accessibility and availability can pose challenges, there are ways you can navigate these issues. One way to do so is by looking into virtual or telehealth counseling. This can make it easier to access counseling if you live in a remote area or the therapists around you are not taking new clients.

Finally, like all other types of addiction treatment, the success of individual counseling really comes down to your commitment to the process and your recovery. It’s important to find a good counselor who is able to work with you and your unique needs. Additionally, having a personalized treatment plan makes all the difference.

That being said, you will not see success if you don’t give counseling your all. Being dedicated to your recovery and treating your addiction is the most important factor in rehab. If you’re feeling a lack of commitment, try leaning on your support system (friends, family, etc.) or looking for peers to hold you accountable.

After researching rehab centers that offer individualized counseling, you’ll need to take a few steps to get started.

First, you’ll want to call any treatment facilities you are considering for your recovery. Ask them any questions you may have about their counseling services including availability, cost, frequency of sessions, what to expect, etc.

Once you choose a treatment center you like, you’ll need to provide any necessary information and documentation to enroll. This can include health insurance information, payment information, medical history, contact information, and more.

Depending on the circumstances, you may need to contact your insurance provider for prior authorization. Your insurance may require that you receive a referral or an official SUD diagnosis from a primary care physician prior to enrollment, so be prepared to do so if necessary.

After you enroll in a rehab program, depending on the modality of treatment, you’ll be able to schedule your first counseling session or coordinate your move into residential treatment.

Individualized counseling is a common addiction treatment method offered at many rehabilitation centers. It has countless benefits and can be an impactful part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Interested in learning more about individual counseling for yourself or a loved one? Give our helpline a call today.