The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to peel back the layers to reach the unconscious processes that drive our behaviors. Substance use issues are invariably the result of an emptiness, or un unhealed wound within. It’s this same wound that manifests as co-occurring mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Psychodynamic therapy sees these disorders as the branches of a single stunted plant and attends to its roots, focusing on self-examination, self-flection, and ultimately self-awareness.
The key to psychodynamic therapy is the therapist and client relationship, and together, they explore emotions and behaviors, the drives behind those elements, and the interpersonal dynamics that make up their lives. With gentle, compassionate guidance, the client begins to see problematic substance use as the failed solution it always has been and is able to heal and grow.
Studies have shown psychodynamic therapy to be beneficial for many types of mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, making it an excellent tool in dual diagnosis treatment. A study by Crits-Cristoph et al showed psychodynamic therapy significantly reduced symptoms of substance use disorder in 487 individuals receiving treatment for cocaine dependence. Additionally, Greyner et al found that psychodynamic therapy for cannabis dependence resulted in reductions in use, depression, and anxiety and an increase in psychological health. Furthermore, psychodynamic therapy is even more effective when combined with other methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy. While psychodynamic therapy promotes self-awareness and teaches clients the roots of their co-occurring substance use disorder and other mental health conditions, CBT uses this knowledge to recognize and alter problematic behaviors.
Psychodynamic therapy is but one of the approaches Creative Care employs in our “whole person” approach to dual diagnosis treatment. Our team draws from a multitude of strategies to tailor individualized treatment plans to the needs of each client. For example, a personalized treatment plan may also include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Activities groups
- Mindfulness interventions and meditation
- Psychological and diagnostic testing
- Family therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Attachment-based psychotherapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Art therapy
- EMDR
- Yoga
Our fully equipped staff, including a consulting psychiatrist, psychotherapists, registered nurses, counselors, and other highly trained professionals, works as a team to get to the root of each client’s needs. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, please give Creative Care a call today.