Aleda E. Lutz VAMC – HCC Annex – Saginaw, Michigan

Family Counseling is a therapeutic service that addresses and resolves conflicts, improves communication, and fosters better relationships within a family unit. Through guided discussions, a trained counselor helps family members gain insight into their dynamics, learn coping strategies, and work towards creating a harmonious living environment. Family Counseling can be a significant step towards improving the overall emotional health and interactions among family members, helping them navigate challenges together in a supportive and constructive manner.

Individual Psychotherapy provides a private, one-on-one setting where clients can explore and address their personal challenges, behaviors, and feelings related to addiction and recovery. With the guidance of a trained therapist, clients work to uncover the root causes of their substance use, develop coping strategies, and build a foundation for long-term recovery and personal growth.

EMDR is a therapy method initially designed to address trauma. During an EMDR session, patients engage in eye movements reminiscent of REM sleep, either by following a therapist’s moving finger or tracking a light bar. These repetitive eye movements aim to aid the brain in reprocessing memories, potentially diminishing the severity of traumatic recollections. As a result, related memories may also heal, leading patients to feel notably more at ease, balanced, and emotionally composed.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) in addiction treatment is a client-centered counseling style aimed at promoting behavior change by helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence. Through empathetic engagement and evoking change talk, MI empowers individuals to harness their own motivation to overcome addiction, leading to a self-directed path to recovery. This approach respects individual autonomy while supporting positive change in a compassionate, non-confrontational manner.

Trauma-related counseling is a specialized form of therapeutic intervention aimed at assisting individuals who have experienced distressing, life-altering events. This approach focuses on helping clients process their traumatic experiences, develop coping mechanisms, and rebuild a sense of safety and trust. Counselors trained in trauma therapy use evidence-based techniques to support healing and resilience, ensuring survivors can move forward and lead fulfilling lives despite their past adversities.

Eating Disorder Treatment” is a specialized approach to help individuals with disorders like anorexia and bulimia. It combines medical, psychological, and nutritional interventions to address these conditions’ physical and emotional aspects. The goal is to support recovery, promote self-acceptance, and improve overall well-being.

Nutrition Therapy offers a holistic approach to recovery by addressing the body’s dietary needs. Tailored to each individual, this therapy ensures optimal nutrient intake to support healing, boost immunity, and promote overall well-being, complementing other rehabilitation efforts for a comprehensive recovery journey.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a medical treatment designed to help individuals quit smoking by providing a controlled and decreasing dose of nicotine through alternative means, such as patches, gums, or lozenges, to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This approach aids in gradually weaning off nicotine dependence while bypassing the harmful effects of smoking.

Group Counseling is a therapeutic approach where individuals come together under the guidance of a trained counselor to share experiences, provide mutual support, and gain insights. It fosters a sense of community, promotes understanding through diverse perspectives, and offers personal growth and problem-solving strategies.

Experiential therapy is a therapeutic approach that encourages patients to identify and address hidden or subconscious issues through activities, interactions, and role-playing. Instead of focusing solely on talking, therapists use experiential techniques to help clients relive past traumas, express emotions, and gain insights into their behaviors. The aim is to foster personal growth and enhance self-awareness by immersing individuals in experiences that can lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.

Life skills training encompasses essential skills for individuals to navigate daily challenges successfully. This training includes time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication, which are crucial for holistic addiction recovery. By mastering these skills, individuals are not only able to live substance-free but also thrive. Life skills training thus provides the practical tools for functional living in society, setting clients on a path toward lasting sobriety and success in life.

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person’s life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on identifying self-defeating thoughts and behaviors to promote emotional well-being and goal achievement. By teaching individuals to examine and challenge their irrational beliefs, RBT aids in developing rational thought processes and fostering healthier emotional responses. Through a systematic, educative approach, individuals learn to manage their emotions, solve problems more effectively, and work towards a fulfilling life.

A holistic approach encompasses a “whole person” perspective in treatment, emphasizing the interconnectedness of mental, physical, and spiritual health. At its core, holistic therapy believes in the seamless integration of an individual’s body, mind, emotions, and spirit. In the context of addiction recovery, this approach ensures that the entire person is catered to, rather than isolating a specific symptom or behavior. Holistic treatments aim to enhance the individual’s complete well-being instead of merely addressing isolated issues.

Whether it’s a marriage or another committed relationship, intimate partnerships hold immense significance in one’s life. Substance addiction profoundly impacts both partners, just as rehabilitation and recovery do. Couples therapy and other relationship-focused treatments play a crucial role in uncovering addiction triggers and fostering healthy habits to sustain sobriety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a evidence-based psychological treatment that focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors. It aims to develop coping strategies and promote healthier thinking to address a variety of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. CBT is typically short-term and goal-oriented, emphasizing the role of thought processes in influencing emotions and behaviors.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for addiction treatment is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral approach initially developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder. Adapted for addiction, DBT emphasizes the development of four core skills: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Through individual and group sessions, patients learn to understand their triggers, manage negative emotions, cope with cravings, and improve relationships, all of which contribute to long-term recovery and reduced substance use.

Integrated Mental and Substance Use Disorder treatment is a comprehensive approach to treating individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders. It aims to address both conditions simultaneously through a coordinated and integrated approach. The goal is to improve overall well-being and reduce the risk of relapse.

Activity therapy is a therapeutic approach frequently used to assist individuals in their recovery from physical addictions or emotional challenges. The primary objective of this therapeutic modality is to involve the individual in creative activities that promote positive changes in their thought patterns. This form of therapy can be conducted one-on-one with a therapist or within a group setting. The ultimate aim of Activity Therapy is to alleviate stress and anxiety while fostering increased self-confidence and improved social interaction skills.

Telehealth Therapy is a level of care that offers psychological counseling and therapeutic services to individuals via digital platforms, such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging apps. This approach allows clients to connect with qualified therapists remotely, providing increased accessibility, flexibility, and convenience, especially for those who may have mobility issues, live in remote areas, or prefer the comfort of their own environment. By leveraging technology, Telehealth Therapy bridges the gap between patients and mental health professionals, ensuring continuity of care irrespective of physical distances.

The AIMS is a 12-point evaluation instrument that clinicians employ to assess the severity of dyskinesias, notably in the face, limbs, and torso, for patients on neuroleptic medications. It gauges the overall effect, the level of impairment, and the patient’s awareness and distress about these involuntary movements. Frequently used in research on antipsychotic drugs to detect tardive dyskinesia, the AIMS is prized for its clear format and swift assessment, making it suitable for routine clinical examinations by trained professionals.