Individual Counseling

CBT has been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health problems. It’s effective in treating depression, substance abuse, anxiety, eating disorders, and more. At In Balance, we focus not only on drug and alcohol abuse but also on co-occurring mental health issues.

CBT treatment focuses on changing unhealthy thought patterns. It helps clients develop strategies to counteract them. We also focus on changing behavioral patterns (like reliance on substances).

DBT is a subset of CBT. It takes a modified approach to treat people who have issues regulating their emotions, a common symptom of drug abuse. DBT focuses mainly on mindfulness and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings.

The term “dialectical” refers to the therapy’s combination of two (seemingly) opposite concepts: acceptance and change. Often, clients are given DBT “homework” to complete between sessions. By tracking and understanding their feelings, patients are encouraged to regulate their emotions in a healthy way.

Motivational Interviewing is a twofold process. The first goal of Motivational Interviewing is to increase motivation by encouraging clients to talk about their need for change and their own reasons for wanting to change.  The second goal of Motivational Interviewing is for a person to make the commitment to change.  During counseling sessions, the therapist and client will work through the emotional stages of change necessary to find motivation. This process is reinforced through support and encouragement as important conversations about change and commitment take place.

Clients receiving individual counseling services may also be advised to receive, or personally request, the following services in order to meet their treatment goals:

• Family Counseling Sessions
• Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment Testing

Mental and behavioral health disorders often affect the entire family, not just the person seeking treatment. In order to aid and heal damaged family relationships, clients may be encouraged to, or request to, invite their family members and loved ones to a counseling session. During family counseling sessions, attendees will receive education in such subject matters as setting healthy boundaries, codependency, enmeshment, family systems, family roles, and feelings identification and expression. These sessions will help families understand how to best support their loved ones, and, just as importantly, learn skills to heal themselves.

Partnering with clinical psychologist Dr. Jennifer Moon, In Balance will occasionally refer clients for a psychological/neuropsychological comprehensive assessment. The assessment is comprised of a battery of tests with each instrument specifically chosen to help the client and the therapist better understand the client’s individual clinical/treatment needs and potential.

The goal of the assessment is to clarify areas of challenge but also illuminate natural resources that each client can draw on to counter their own personal challenges. Results are integrated into a report, and the client’s therapist will discuss the results with the client. Together, they can work to incorporate results into treatment planning.