SEEKING HELP

Deciding to get help is perhaps one of the most courageous acts you can make in life. Getting help and deciding what course of recovery to commit to is a complicated, personal choice. As a psychologist knowledgeable in addiction and recovery, Dr. Paul Standal takes a person-centered approach, helping you assess what treatment strategies might be most suitable for you in your stage of change. He helps you strengthen your resolve to follow through. For many, outpatient help, especially in aftercare, is sufficient to provide the psychological and emotional support to foster recovery.

The role of the therapist in addiction-focused therapy is an important factor in the success of achieving recovery. The therapist must be able to establish a therapeutic alliance with you by communicating his acceptance of you and an understanding of the crisis you find yourself in. A therapist seeks to help you in understanding your behaviors, feelings, beliefs and values in order for you to own your areas of personal change and growth.

He must listen and respond with understanding and compassion to your needs. He must also be able to assess other life experiences that have led to the crisis. One of our most important tasks is to educate you as to the consequences of your behaviors or substance use as well as the consequences to your family and other relationships.

A good therapist does provide hope for success by helping you increase your internal locus of control (setting boundaries). Dr. Standal works to reduce your fear and anxiety by helping you become aware of yourself, while reinforcing the structure in your life, both internally and in your daily planning. A good therapist is able to help you manage, contain or resolve uncomfortable feelings, like fear, or helplessness, in order to increase your tolerance for relapse behaviors. A good therapist may help you make a personal recovery plan, referring, when needed, for medications or a 12-step program.

Some practical questions you should consider before choosing a course of recovery support with a therapist are:

• Scope of services and treatment approaches offered—can they handle both the physical and psychological aspects of my problem?
• Credentials and experience of the specialists in treating your problem—do they have special training and experience with treating my problem?
• Cost and insurance coverage—Do I want to use insurance? What treatment is covered by my insurance? Inpatient? Outpatient? Do I need a referral?
• Protection of confidentiality throughout treatment.
• Length of treatment—what are the options? Who decides the length of treatment that’s best for me?
• Do they include the family/relationship in treatment?
• Plan for remaining drug-free once the treatment ends—what supports are there when I complete treatment?