Primary Addiction Treatment Therapy

Solution-Focused Therapy for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery

At Breathing Space Thailand, we understand that addiction is a serious and complicated process which needs to be addressed on many different levels. We subscribe to the Humanistic model which states that every person should be treated with respect, dignity, and individual attention. Harmony and balance of the various factors motivating behavior is of integral importance for psychological well-being. Our counselors adopt a non-judgmental attitude and understand that the therapeutic relationship is a key factor in facilitating change. We also believe that every person is able to overcome his or her challenges and rise above their addictive behavior.

We give credence to the Gestalt theory, which states that a person or situation is more than just the sum of its parts. Just as a wave is more than a collection of drops of water, there is a complex interaction between the various biological, mental, social, behavioral and spiritual aspects of a person. For this reason, every person is treated uniquely according to his or her specific needs at any given point in time. In therapy, clients are encouraged to identify their feelings and behavior and consider how this affects their present environment. Self-awareness is a strong tool for promoting healing and personal growth, and enables clients to make decisions in the here and now, regardless of what their behavior might have been in the past.

We also believe in the strength of Solution Focused Brief Psychotherapy (SFBT), which means that therapy does not have to take place over an extended period of time. Analysis of the past is certainly useful when trying to understand how the addiction got started in the first place, but SFBT prefers to focus on the present and future. Various methods and approaches are used to identify and solve specific issues in the present, and clients are encouraged to work incrementally towards future goals in an effort to free themselves from their challenges.

This therapy is particularly useful for people with a need to address specific issues in their life, and can be used to deal with a wide range of conditions such as addiction, anger, sleeping difficulties, anxiety, stress and depression, as well as work-related issues.

Creative Play Therapy is used as a visualization and brainstorming tool to help clients identify key issues in their lives which need to be addressed, by accessing the left hand side of their brain in a non-threatening way. It can also help clients create a clear picture of a preferred future scenario, which is a powerful and visual motivating factor which creates hope and empowerment.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) postulates that behavior is the result of thoughts or beliefs, and leads to certain emotions or feelings. These feelings, in turn, may influence a client’s thoughts, and lead to a particular behavior. The therapeutic relationship is a key factor for change, since the therapist will help the client analyze his/her beliefs and attitudes, and also explore alternative thoughts and behaviors. It is intensely personal and unique, since the therapist and client form a collaborative team to brainstorm and explore new solutions to old problems. CBT has proven to be exceptionally useful for treating most psychological disorders, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, addiction issues, eating disorders, anger, anxiety and panic attacks. This type of therapy focuses on resolving problems in the present context by challenging old thought and behavior patterns and exploring new ways to solve old problems. Addiction is often an effort on the part of the client to self-medicate or avoid deeper issues or troubling emotions, and CBT can bring about permanent positive change. Clients are empowered clients by learning to look at life challenges objectively and being aware of their thoughts, emotions and behavior. It is often a great relief for clients to regain a feeling of control in this manner.

We also recognize the power of Conditioning, which is why we subscribe to the model of residential treatment. Usual triggers for addictive behavior are avoided as clients are treated in a safe environment. New behaviors and thoughts are learned and ingrained, for which a period of 3 months is optimal, and clients are desensitized to old triggers towards the end of their treatment period, in order to facilitate the transition back to their original environment.

Hypnotherapy is harnessed in the form of teaching clients to relax in stressful situations, and also to enable them to visualize an ideal future scenario as a powerful motivating force to promote change.

Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) is used by making clients aware of the difference between their thoughts and emotions, and also to recognize how their emotions can lead to destructive behavior. By careful analysis in a therapeutic environment, clients can explore their thoughts, emotions and behavior patterns, and explore and practice alternatives. Insight is extremely liberating.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a powerful tool to empower clients by helping them take distance from their emotions when dealing with personal challenges. This is a practical method clients can use once they are back home whenever critical situations arise that might lead to relapse. It is also highly effective in treating and dealing with pain without medication.