Frequently Asked Questions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of mental health treatment that has demonstrated effectiveness for a range of problems including, depression, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders, and co-occurring mental illness. Research suggests that CBT can lead to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. CBT is based on core principles, recognizing that psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking and learned patterns of unhelpful behavior. Clients can use CBT to relieve symptoms through efforts to change their thinking and behavior patterns, while working through what is going on in their lives currently, rather than what happened in the past. Our CBT-trained therapists work with clients to understand the problem and establish a treatment plan.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most widely-recognized and effective behavioral therapy methods for addiction and mental health challenges. Under the guidance of a trained therapist, all SagePoint IOP clients can take advantage of this solutions-oriented treatment.

CBT is designed to help people with little to no previous experience with behavioral therapy. Through a therapist-guided process, SagePoint IOP clients can focus on the issues that are challenging them in the present moment without being overwhelmed by past experiences or future stress.

CBT can take place in either a one-on-one or group setting under the supervision of a trained therapist. During a typical session, therapists will explore problematic or troubling behaviors that clients want to improve, and then work closely with the client on strategies for managing and lessening these behaviors.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a therapeutic technique used to increase a person’s motivation for recovery and commitment to long-term change. This modality helps individuals strengthen their self-motivation for change, rather than attempting to change to please others. Through motivational interviewing, individuals evaluate both the pros and cons of their life choices and behaviors, as well as what might be stopping them from making healthy choices. The client determines what changes they want to make according to their own needs and goals.

Motivational interviewing is a collaboration between the clinical staff and the client with a strong emphasis on the client’s ideas, feelings, and decisions. It is often used in conjunction with other recovery interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness and stress management techniques, and participation in other recovery support groups. This therapy accentuates the positive traits and innate wisdom in each person. When individuals have strong confidence and self-esteem and clear personal values, they can more easily commit to making the healthy life choices necessary for long-term recovery.

We incorporate motivational interviewing into treatment for most clients at SagePoint IOP. This therapeutic approach helps clients realize that they have the potential and desire to change their behavior for themselves, as opposed to changing due to outside influences or pressure.

Motivational interviewing can help anyone in the early stages of their recovery to take the next step on their recovery journey. When used alongside additional clinical therapy, motivational interviewing can provide added clarity and purpose to individuals looking to change addictive or harmful behaviors.

Motivational interviewing takes place between a client and their clinical team, who will lead them through a guided exploration of why they want to recover and the choices they have made up to this point. Insights from this process can help the client as they move through additional forms of therapy, such as therapeutic groups.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is highly effective in substance use disorder treatment as it strongly recognizes the link between addictions and trauma. DBT is essentially a combination of behavioral therapy and mindfulness practice. The word dialectic refers to the synthesis of two opposites. The fundamental principle of DBT, therefore, is to create a dynamic that promotes two opposed goals for clients: i.e. change and acceptance. Individuals learn how to hold both the need and desire for change, with the ability to accept 'as is' with nonjudgement. While seemingly complicated initially, this dialectical approach can serve as a profound guide in the recovery process.

Anyone who experiences challenges with distressing thoughts or emotions, challenging relationships, or stress can benefit from DBT. These skills can help individuals learn to practice acceptance and tolerance in the face of distressing experiences and overall suffering. This is achieved by practicing mindfulness and building a life worth living as a broader therapeutic goal, rather than simply focusing on the reduction of problematic behaviors or symptom management.

DBT skills training can be helpful for anyone seeking support with the following: Diminishing urges, cravings, and temptations to use substances Alleviating physical discomfort associated with abstinence and/or withdrawal Becoming mindful of one’s destructive or potentially self-harmful behaviors Learning to more efffectively engage in personal relationships Lowering stress reactions and reactivity

Mindfulness is frequently defined as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally”. By learning to simply observe, describe, and participate in one's experiences, as well as practicing non-judgment, we are able to better to experience any given moment with greater equanimity. Mindfulness-Based Strategies include any form of mindful awareness or meditation that allows one to be more fully present in the moment. These can include: Sitting Meditation Walking Meditation Counting the breaths Mindfulness with daily activities Body scan meditation Mind-body practices such as yoga, qigong, tai chi, and others

Mindfulness practice allows a person to develop the capacity to interrupt automatic thought patterns and learn to be more accepting and curious of their experience. Substance use is often an attempt to flee the present moment, generally in the form of uncomfortable (or painful) thoughts, feelings, sensation, or memories, etc. Mindfulness as a practice, encourages clients to accept what is happening (as it's happening) and develop a new relationships to suffering, rather than seeking endless ways to resist the moment (such as substance use). Rather than trying to change what you are thinking or feeling, you learn to accept and tolerate it without using substances in response. In this regard, mindfulness can be one of the most powerful skills you can practice in substance use disorder recovery.

Some of the benefits of mindfulness include: Manage stress Retrain the brain to take a thoughtful approach (substance use creates compulsive/impulsive tendencies) Relieve anxiety and depression Reduce cravings Reduce auto pilot tendencies (i.e. habits, reflexes) and become more mindful in the present moment. Learn to observe sensations and experiences in the body Living mindfully during daily activities, such as driving, showering, eating, walking mindfully Breathing mindfully Reacting vs. responding by first observing and then choosing with awareness the best way to respond. Practice Sober Breathing (Sober: Stop, Observe, Breath, Expand, and Respond). Stop whatever it is you are doing and whatever it is you are about to do. Allow yourself to just simply be right here in the present moment. Practicing acceptance, which is the opposite of the perpetual "Go" mode of addictions or substance use disorders. 'Go' mode tells the brain to get rid of thoughts, feelings, craving as quickly as possible, OR by not letting a feeling end (i.e. pleasurable experiences related to substance use). Developing kindness and compassion for self and others

The Matrix Model is an integrative and comprehensive treatment model used to address substance use behaviors and their impact on a person’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It’s combination of proven, evidence-based interventions are used in a collaborative way between client and therapist. Matrix Model incorporates group therapy, family education, relapse prevention planning, and community support group participation.

Relapse Prevention is a skills-based, cognitive-behavioral approach that requires clients and their clinicians to identify situations that place the person at greater risk for relapse – both internal experiences (i.e., positive thoughts related to substance use or negative thoughts related to sobriety that arise without effort, called “automatic thoughts”) and external cues (i.e., people that the person associates with substance use). ​ After creating a Relapse Prevention Plan, the client and clinician work to develop strategies, including cognitive (related to thinking) and behavioral (related to action), to address those specific high-risk situations. With more effective coping, the client develops increased confidence to handle challenging situations without alcohol and other substances (i.e., increased self-efficacy).