Aleda E. Lutz VAMC – Oscoda CBOC – Oscoda, Michigan

Family Counseling is a therapeutic approach that seeks to address and resolve conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen relationships within the family unit. By providing a safe space for family members to express their feelings and concerns, a trained counselor facilitates understanding and collaboration among members, promoting healthier dynamics and enhancing overall family well-being.

Individual Psychotherapy is a personalized therapeutic approach aimed at aiding individuals in overcoming addiction and its underlying psychological triggers. A licensed therapist works closely with the individual through one-on-one sessions to unearth and address personal challenges, emotional issues, and behavioral patterns contributing to their substance abuse. Individual psychotherapy lays a robust foundation for a sustainable recovery and a better quality of life by fostering self-awareness, coping strategies, and healthier behavioral responses.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Originated by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR involves a structured eight-phase approach where the patient recalls distressing images while receiving bilateral sensory input, typically in the form of guided eye movements. This process allows the brain to reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge and helping individuals integrate these memories more adaptively. EMDR is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related psychological disorders.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered therapeutic approach that fosters behavioral change by assisting individuals in exploring and resolving ambivalence. Specifically tailored for addiction treatment, MI helps clients unearth their own motivations to quit substance use and empowers them to take the lead in their recovery journey. Therapists guide clients toward their goals and self-determined pathways to sobriety through empathetic conversation and skillful questioning.

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 struggling with disordered eating patterns. It involves therapies, counseling, and medical monitoring by a team of professionals to promote recovery, address underlying causes, and improve overall well-being. The goal is to establish a healthier relationship with food and self-image, facilitating long-term recovery and well-being.

Nutrition therapy is a tailored dietary approach to managing and preventing certain medical conditions. Administered by registered dietitians or nutrition professionals, it involves the assessment of an individual’s nutritional status and the development of personalized nutrition strategies to optimize health and manage specific health concerns.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a medically-approved approach to help individuals quit smoking. It involves providing the body with controlled, lower doses of nicotine, typically through patches, gums, lozenges, inhalers, or sprays, to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. By gradually reducing nicotine intake, NRT aims to wean users off their dependence, making it easier to quit smoking and improving overall health outcomes.

Group Therapy is a therapeutic space where individuals battling addiction come together to share experiences, gain insights, and support one another on their journey to recovery. Facilitated by trained professionals, this setting fosters communal healing and empowers participants to overcome the challenges of addiction through collective strength and understanding.

Experiential Therapy is a therapeutic approach that encourages individuals to identify and address hidden or subconscious issues through activities, actions, and direct experiences. Unlike traditional talk therapy, this method involves engaging in activities, role-playing, and other interactive techniques to garner emotional expression and self-discovery. By placing individuals in relevant situations, therapists can observe their behaviors and emotions in real-time, allowing for immediate feedback and insight. Through this interactive process, individuals can better understand their feelings and behaviors, develop coping mechanisms, and work towards resolving personal conflicts.

Life Skills is a crucial component of rehabilitation that focuses on equipping individuals with the practical abilities necessary to maintain sobriety and lead fulfilling lives. These skills encompass a wide range of capabilities, including but not limited to time management, communication, problem-solving, stress management, and financial literacy. By acquiring and honing these essential life skills, individuals in addiction treatment gain the tools and confidence needed to navigate the challenges of daily life, reduce the risk of relapse, and ultimately achieve lasting recovery.

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 (CBT) that focuses on identifying, challenging, and modifying irrational beliefs and behaviors. Rooted in the principle that our emotions and behaviors are largely influenced by our beliefs. Through structured therapeutic processes, individuals learn to recognize their irrational thoughts, assess their validity, and replace them with more rational and adaptive beliefs. This, in turn, promotes healthier emotional responses and more functional behaviors.

Holistic Treatment refers to an integrative approach to addiction recovery and rehabilitation that addresses the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual’s well-being. Beyond just focusing on the addiction itself, this approach emphasizes whole-person healing and often incorporates alternative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and nutritional counseling. By treating the entire person and not just the symptoms of addiction, holistic treatment aims to ensure a more balanced and sustainable recovery.

Couples Therapy during rehab is a specialized counseling program designed to support couples who are navigating the challenges of addiction recovery together. This form of therapy provides a safe and structured environment where couples can address the impact of substance abuse on their relationship and work towards healing and growth as a team. By addressing both individual and shared issues, couples in rehab can strengthen their bond and increase their chances of sustained recovery, fostering a healthier and happier future together.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the critical role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. It aims to identify and challenge distorted or negative thought patterns and behaviors, teaching individuals to replace them with more constructive and rational beliefs. CBT is evidence-based and has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and phobias, among others.

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.

Telehealth provides a secure and handy way to access behavioral health care from your home. It eliminates the need for travel, time off work, or organizing childcare. A range of services, including individual therapy, group sessions, and monitoring for anxiety and depression, are available remotely. Rest assured, telehealth video sessions are not recorded, ensuring your information remains as confidential as in-person consultations.

Vaping Cessation Counseling is a specialized form of support designed to help individuals overcome their dependence on electronic cigarettes or vaping products. Through evidence-based strategies, personalized advice, and emotional support, counselors guide individuals towards a nicotine-free life, emphasizing the long-term health benefits of cessation.

The AIMS is a tool with 12 criteria clinicians use to evaluate the intensity of dyskinesias, especially in facial, limb, and torso movements, in patients on neuroleptic drugs. It also examines the overall impact, the degree of disability caused, and how conscious and distressed the patient is about these movements. The AIMS is widely utilized in research studies of antipsychotic drugs to check for tardive dyskinesia. Its straightforward structure and quick assessment process make regular clinical checks by professionals or other qualified individuals convenient.