A Typical Week
As we gear up to begin The Intensive at Individual, Marriage & Family Counseling, most folks are asking the question, “What kind of therapy will you do for 3 hours a day, 3 days a week?!” And yes, that’s a lot of therapy. For good reason.
The Intensive is the latest offering out of our private practice setting, and it is designed to provide more intensive care for those struggling with substance use and related behaviors.*
Individuals who participate in The Intensive will commit to an initial 2-weeks of individual and group therapy, along with a comprehensive evaluation and tailored treatment plan. During those two weeks, there will be several meetings with the clinical treatment team as well as recommendations made for further assessment for external services, such as psychiatry or medical care.
Here is a sample schedule of a typical week in The Intensive:
| Monday | Wednesday | Thursday | ||
| 8:00-8:30 | Group Open | Group Open | 1:00-2:30 | Weekend Strategies |
| 8:30-10:30 | Relapse Prevention Group | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group | 2:30-4:00 | Process Group |
| Internal Family Systems Group | ||||
| 10:30-11:00 | Community Building | Community Building | ||
In the approximate eight hours of group work each week, we will talk about:
- the cycle of behavior and how to interrupt it more positively;
- how to identify and move through emotions that are sometimes disruptive and difficult to sit with
- when and why a substance or behavior became the best course of action against unwanted feelings and situations
- specific strategies to work through daily life outside of The Intensive
All of that is important and necessary. AND. We know that research shows (and people report) that the most impactful part of substance use treatment is a sense of community and togetherness. When people get in a room together and share the high-and-low experiences of life, they are more likely and willing to take risks in the outside world. The Intensive is “home base;” a jumping off point and a point of return when it comes to changing patterns of behavior and taking risks toward personal growth.
As we move closer to beginning The Intensive, you can expect to read more blog posts about specific group offerings, how to communicate with friends and family members during your time in the outpatient program, and how to build a community support network around your new ways of relating and growing as a person.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about The Intensive, click here.
*Related behaviors: gambling, shopping, video gaming/electronic device overuse, excessive working, and excessive pornography/sexual acting out behaviors).
Why are we targeting these behaviors with the same program as substance use challenges? Because drugs, alcohol, and the above-listed behaviors all trigger the same reward circuit in the brain. Therefore, we can utilize the same tools and work through similar triggers in relation to uncontrolled patterns.