New Directions Program’s Adult Outpatient Counseling is an ongoing, collaborative, one-on-one approach to recovery from Substance Use Disorder(s) (SUD) that can function as the core of an individual’s program or as one of several components. This approach grew out of our original Adolescent/Young-Adult design that was initially developed in 1981. This form of counseling is appropriate for adults at all stages of change and can be tailored to meet individual schedules and needs.
As the name implies, this part of New Directions Program is appropriate for adults of all genders over the age of 25. Outpatient Counseling can be helpful for a wide variety of clients, but we typically work with individuals in the following categories:
- Someone unsure of whether their relationship with alcohol and/or other mind-altering substances constitutes a problem.
- Someone who recently completed a stay at a Residential facility, planning to reintegrate into work/family with a focus on recovery.
- Someone who currently completed or is still attending an Intensive Outpatient (IOP) program and recognizes the benefits of continuing the “Step Down” process.
- Someone in ongoing recovery who is facing a new and/or stressful life event or just desirous of a “Check up”.
- Lastly, outpatient counseling with New Directions Program may be appropriate for anyone engaged in recovery who simply feels something is “missing.”
We view recovery from SUDs to be a lifelong pursuit that touches, alters, and involves all aspects of an individual’s life. It is crucial, therefore, that SUD treatment be even more adaptive and far-reaching than the disease which necessitated it. It is normal and expected that a client’s needs will change with time, and we believe it is important that their treatment is capable of responding to these changes.
For example, in the early stages of recovery, a client may describe feelings and experiences that would indicate they were a good candidate for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), in which case we would make a referral to a physician who could prescribe the proper medication. MAT can assist the client in meeting their goal of continual abstinence and give them the time to more fully assess their current situation. Now, should they continue to maintain abstinence and move to broaden their conception of and participation in recovery, they are likely to come to understand that there is much more to this new way of life than simply avoiding drugs and alcohol. In early recovery, the client’s goals, though significant, may be simple: to stay continually clean and sober.
However, as clients become more confident in their ability to maintain abstinence, they often develop a willingness—with support—to face regrets, resentments, grief, trauma, fears, and damaged relationships they had long sought to suppress. This exercise is not simple; it is complex and non-linear.
Outpatient Counseling is the treatment modality that is best suited to address this kind of process. As alluded to above, clients begin with willingness—borne of desperation, resignation, or resolve—then move to investigation, then to discussion and consolidation. From here, clients begin to develop real insight into themselves, their disease, and how each influences the other. We help our clients use these insights to develop the motivation to identify patterns of thought, beliefs, behaviors, and emotional responses and aid them in determining whether these aspects of themselves should be embraced of discarded.
Ultimately, we apply our experience and expertise to our clients’ insights and goals to develop a comprehensive and collaborative Treatment Plan. These plans often involve regular counseling sessions and may include recommendations for mutual-support groups, but this is only the beginning. SUDs frequently affect clients’ diet, sleep, physical and mental health, and willingness and ability to maintain medication regimens. Thus, no treatment plan is complete without addressing these areas.
We understand that we’ve described a generic client experience. We also understand that even considering treatment can feel overwhelming. If you have questions, or if you’d like to discuss your situation further, we look forward to speaking with you.