Center for Discovery – Greenwich, Connecticut

Creative Arts Therapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates visual arts, music, dance, drama, and other creative processes to promote emotional, mental, and social well-being. By facilitating self-expression, understanding, and healing, it aids individuals in exploring their emotions, improving self-awareness, enhancing cognitive abilities, and cultivating interpersonal skills. Tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences, this modality is versatile and can be employed with diverse populations, addressing a wide range of psychological and developmental challenges.

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.

Trauma therapy delves into past traumatic events that might be influencing a client’s current life experiences. Often, trauma serves as a significant precipitant or underlying cause of addiction. Such traumas can arise from childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, growing up with a mentally ill parent, early parental loss, and experiences of sexual assault in teen or adult years, among other circumstances. Trauma therapy aims to aid the individual in processing and navigating beyond these traumas, guided by the expertise and empathy of skilled mental health specialists.

Eating disorders encompass conditions like anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and unhealthy eating habits. Some mental health experts view these disorders as akin to food addiction, where food is used compulsively, much like substances in drug or alcohol addiction. Consequently, specific substance abuse treatment programs may include support for eating disorders. Furthermore, eating disorders can co-occur or be diagnosed alongside drug and alcohol addiction.

In individual therapy, a person engages in a one-on-one session with a qualified therapist or counselor. This therapeutic approach is crucial in successful substance abuse treatment because it delves into the underlying causes of addiction, addressing issues the individual may encounter in their familial, social, and professional or academic environments.

Couples Therapy is a specialized form of counseling designed to help couples navigate and improve their relationships. In this therapeutic process, a trained therapist or counselor works with couples to address communication issues, conflicts, and emotional challenges within their partnership. Couples Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment for couples to explore their feelings, understand each other’s perspectives, and develop effective strategies for building stronger, more fulfilling connections. It can be instrumental in fostering healthier relationships, enhancing intimacy, and promoting long-term relationship satisfaction.

Group therapy entails therapeutic sessions conducted in a collective setting rather than one-on-one. It encompasses various modalities, from support groups and experiential therapy to psycho-education and beyond. The approach focuses on treatment and emphasizes the dynamic interactions and shared experiences among group members.

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.