You are currently browsing all posts tagged with 'counseling'

How do I go about convincing my daughter to go to substance abuse counseling?

  • Posted on September 15, 2010 at 4:23 am

I really think my daughter is addicted to drugs. I am going to visit her this week, over 600 mile drive. She is 23 and living apart from her husband and 3 yr old son. She has admitted to me she has used drugs, but I think she is addicted. She is enrolled in college. I thought I would try & start w/ the school counselor. What do you think?
ty so much for all answers, yes she will be resistant, & has admitted to pot, xanex and even cocaine. Yet she doesn’t admit to problem. This is all over the phone, I’m not popping in on her, she knows I’m coming. She has said she wants therapy, but for depression, not drugs. I just don’t want to push her away & am not sure of how much legality is involved & what options I’ll face. I know she won’t go to AA or NA to start with that’s why I thought about the college counselor to recommend strict outpatient rehab maybe?

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The Best Counseling for your Adolescent: From Mchenry and Barrington, IL

  • Posted on January 20, 2010 at 1:21 am

When teens become overloaded with stress and, as is often the case, it is ineffectively managed, it leads to frequent worrying, isolation, acting-out, illness or destructive attempts to cope, such as drug and/or alcohol abuse. When kids perceive a situation as difficult or painful, mental and physical changes take place that prepare them to protect themselves from danger.


This is called the fight, flight, or freeze response. It is characterized by a more rapid pulse, heart palpitations, increased flow of blood to the arms and legs, and/or a piercing sense of dread. However, this same mechanism that turns on this fight or flight response can turn it off as well.


As soon as our kids perceive that a situation is no longer threatening, changes occur which help them to calm down. This is called the relaxation response and is characterized by a decreased pulse rate and a greater feeling of well being. Teens that develop or can induce this relaxation response feel more confident, more effective and have more functional choices from which to choose when responding to stress.


Psychological counseling or psychotherapy refers to a variety of methods used to help teenagers who are experiencing stress-related emotional or behavioral difficulties. Although there are different types

of counseling, each relies on dialogue as the basic tool for bringing about change.


Psychological counseling or psychotherapy may involve an individual child, group or family. For adolescents, talking, teaching and training are the most important ways of resolving their problems.


As part of the initial assessment, a psychologist or other mental health professional will determine the need for psychotherapy. This decision will be based upon such things as your teens current problems, history, level of maturity, level of cooperation and what interventions have the greatest chance to help.


Psychotherapy or counseling is often used in combination with other treatments, such as medication, behavior modification or work with the school. The relationship that develops between the therapist and your teen is very important.


He or she must feel comfortable, safe and understood by the counselor. This type of environment makes it much easier for your child to express his/her thoughts and feelings and to use the therapy in a useful way.


Counseling can help your teen in a variety of ways. He or she receives emotional support while learning to resolve conflicts, understand the feelings and problems of self and others and test new solutions to old problems.


Goals for your teens therapy may be specific (better grades, improved relations with friends or family etc.) or more general (less anxiety, better self-esteem etc.). The length of your childs psychotherapy depends on the complexity and severity of problems and level of progress.


Clinical Psychologists are specifically trained and skilled to provide psychotherapy, while psychiatrists usually treat by using medication. You should ask the following questions regarding your teens treatment:


Why is psychotherapy being recommended?


What are some of the results I can expect?


How long can I expect my child to be involved in counseling?


How frequent will the visits to the doctor be?


Will the doctor ever be meeting with the entire family?


How much do these psychotherapy or counseling sessions cost?


How will we be informed about our son or daughters progress? How can we help?


How soon can we expect to see changes?


A clinical psychologist or professional counselor will be able to provide you with answers to your questions and concerns. Do not forget that if you feel doubt, you can always get a second opinion.

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Can Online Counseling for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Problems Be Effective?

  • Posted on January 1, 2010 at 9:08 pm

The answer to the question in the title of this article is: “Yes, but with the need to understand the limits of online help.”


Definitions

The words “alcohol dependence” or “addiction” are often used without definition. So, let’s first define some terms. As used in this article, alcohol or drug addiction means that a person’s alcohol or other drug use has reached the point that the person cannot use without loss of control over use of the substance and/or cannot use without producing adverse consequences in significant life areas. The addicted person has developed a psychological and/or physical dependence upon the substance. An addicted person will continue to use the substance in the face of adverse consequences.

The term alcohol or drug dependence is often used interchangeably with addiction, but here I use the term dependence to mean physical dependence on a substance, meaning that stopping use of the substance will result in withdrawal symptoms. A person can develop dependence on a substance without developing addiction; the best example of this physical dependence would be the person who takes a narcotic analgesic (pain killer such as oxycodone or morphine) as prescribed by a doctor long enough to be physically dependent on the drug, a natural, inevitable consequence of chronic use of such a drug. Under these circumstances, abruptly stopping use of the substance will result in the withdrawal syndrome typical for the class of substance involved. Most persons with addiction (for ex., alcoholism) are NOT physically dependent on their drug and will not experience the full blown physical withdrawal for the substance. They will, however, experience cravings, sleeplessness, and other symptoms caused by their psychological dependence on the drug.

Diagnosis

Alcohol or other drug problems fall within two diagnostic categories: abuse or addiction (as I said, often called dependence). Abuse basically means the person has developed a pattern of use of the substance in the face of adverse consequences in significant life areas (medically, financially, legally, problems in relationships). Addiction is summarized in the first paragraph of this article.

Treatment

Alcoholism and other drug addictions are devastating disorders which negatively impact affected individuals and all who care about them, physically, emotionally and mentally, and spiritually. For persons diagnosed with full blown addiction, I favor an abstinence based treatment model, meaning a model whose basic ultimate (it may take a while to get there) goal is abstinence from use of alcohol or other drugs. This model should include education, cognitive behavioral counseling, and use of Twelve Step (for ex., AA) spiritually based principles. Online addiction treatment can be helpful in itself and/or as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes traditional face-to-face counseling and other treatment interventions.

Treatment of Severe Addiction

Successful treatment of persons with full blown alcohol or other drug addiction may require a comprehensive treatment program, with services provided by professionals face-to-face. This treatment would be beyond that offered by online addiction treatment. Such a comprehensive program should be staffed by helping professionals from many disciplines. Staff should include physicians to address medical issues such as withdrawal, mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists, to treat co- or pre-existing psychiatric disorders that may be present, and last but not least, certified, licensed addiction counselors, preferably a significant number of whom are in recovery themselves. Such a Treatment Program should also provide individual and group counseling, educational groups, and, as important as any of the treatments, access to Twelve Step self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Nar-Anon (for loved ones), and ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), to name but a few.

An evaluation will reveal the extent of the treatment required. This evaluation can be performed online by a qualified addictions counselor.

Online Treatment or Counseling

Online help for persons with full blown addiction problems can be helpful, but the comprehensive programs outlined under Treatment of Severe Addiction may be necessary depending upon the seriousness of the problem. A comprehensive evaluation of the addicted person is needed. Such an evaluation can be done online, leading to recommendations for the appropriate treatment.

Persons who are already involved in any stage (intensive outpatient, continuing care, aftercare) of traditional treatment programs can use online services as a supplement to their treatment and to Twelve Step Program attendance. Persons who have completed traditional treatment can also benefit from these services.

Loved Ones of an Addicted Person

Spouses, lovers, friends, co-workers, parents, brothers, sisters, and sons and daughters, to name a few, can be concerned that the person they care about may have an alcohol or other drug problem. When adult children are concerned about use by a parent, the term “Adult Child of an Alcoholic or Addict” (ACOA) may apply. Persons close to an individual with a drug or alcohol need help for their natural feelings of confusion, hurt, anger, and loneliness. Online services can provide support, education, and recommendations for these concerned persons.

Cautions

Persons with serious emotional or psychiatric conditions (such as, but not limited to, eating disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), not stabilized through traditional treatment by a qualified mental health professional are not appropriate for the help offered online and should seek help from such professionals before accessing online services. These patients can, when stabilized by appropriate treatment, benefit from online counseling.

Persons who are depressed and thinking of harming themselves or others are also not appropriate for online help and should get help immediately by calling a crisis line, going to the Emergency Room of a hospital, or seeking other immediate help. These patients can, when stabilized by appropriate treatment, also benefit from online counseling

Persons who have a pattern of using addictive substances on a daily or almost daily basis need to access face-to-face evaluation and treatment service providers to address possible medical and other problems associated with withdrawal that may accompany physical dependence, before using online services available here.

Limitations

1. By its nature, internet counseling can be interrupted by technological difficulties beyond the control of either the counselor or the client. Before services are provided, the client will be given suggestions for alternative methods for contacting the counselor should disruptions in the client’s service occur (for ex., a public library). The counselor should pledge that should technical difficulties result from his/her personal computer or other internet access, the counselor will have alternative internet access readily available.

2. The visual and auditory cues available during face-to-face counseling are, of course, not available in internet counseling. Therefore, it is vital that both the client and the counselor be diligent in seeking clarification of any communications, as needed.

3. The addictions counselor must at the outset of the counseling relationship help the client to identify local therapists and other treatment providers, including crisis services.

4. The addictions counselor must include safeguards to keep client information confidential and protected from unauthorized access. Client information, including history, diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and progress notes, should be for the counselor’s eyes only. No one else must have access to this information. The information should be retained on a safeguarded CD for one year after the counseling relationship has ended, or for a longer or shorter period of time dictated by the client.


Under the circumstances outlined in this article, online counseling of persons with drug or alcohol abuse or addictions can be effective.

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Tips that work to Stop Drinking Alcohol

  • Posted on July 2, 2009 at 3:35 pm

There are quite a lot of different treatments that deal with the problems related with alcohol dependence. The treatments available for this problems can be put into the following categories…medication to reduce withdrawal symptoms and stop alcohol cravings, professional counseling to support relationship issues and education and support to stop drinking.

The previously mentioned methods are normally the ones that are recommended although a new drug has just come onto the market called chemical Revia [formerly Trexan], Vivitrolnaltrexone. This drug is normally administered by the form of an injection about once a month , but it is also available now as a pill.

The way Naltrexone works is by confusing the part of the brain that is responsible for making us feel good while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. It basically numbs the pleasure effect that alcohol gives us and can be either taken on its own or as a combination drug with other alcohol dependence drugs.

Recent studies have shown though that Naltrexone is most effective when its use is combined with counseling. It has also been proved that Naltrexone drastically reduces the risk of relapse after having managed to quit drinking.

When it comes to men who have a long track record of alcohol dependence this treatment is not so effective. As with the majority drugs there are possible side effects and Naltrexone may cause dizziness, nausea and fatigue as well as headaches and the tendency to feel sleepy, anxious, or nervous.

These treatments need professional backing and you may be interested in hearing what other people have to say on the subject. You will be amazed at just how many people share their experiences at the stopdrinkingadvice blog, so head on over and see how the blog can help you.

Discover just how easy it is to stop drinking alcohol through the support of people who have been there before and who understand the real hardships involved.

Discover How to Quit Drinking Alcohol On This Alcoholics Support Blog
http://www.stopdrinkingadvice.org/guide written by Ed Philips and Receive Expert Advice to Help you Quit
Alcohol Today.

Article Source: Tips that work to Stop Drinking Alcohol

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Be Positive And Look For Good Solutions On How To Improve Relationships – It Isn’t Hard!

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 9:06 pm

Are you leaving home in the morning, having had a disagreement with your spouse or partner, and want to know how to improve relationships with them?

How many times have we been unhappy, and not expressed ourselves in a way that communicates our feelings to the other person, so they understand how we feel? Being honest with ourselves we recognize that it happens more than we want it to happen.

Does it have to be that way. Good advice is plentiful. What we have to do is make ourselves aware that improving relationships is simply a case of finding solutions to problems, so finding solutions are really worth looking for. When we want to improve relationships with those we care about, love and respect is to find solutions so we can feel happier.

Can professionals help us? Yes, sometimes they can. In seeking their advice we too often think that they have some, or all of the answers. How many times does the advice we receive take us in the direction of what is wrong, rather what is right in our marriage or partnership.

So, the question is: at what cost can we improve relationships? We need to remember that there are other downsides to seeking counseling?

Well, the major downside is probably cost. Some professionals charge an absolute fortune. The meter is running and costing us, potentially, a lot of money as soon as we enter the room! So, whilst their advice may be sound, the meter ticks beyond our personal financial budget. Financial costs will, sometimes, cause us to be reluctant to seek out relationship advice.

if we look there are cheaper and more readily accessible ways. Sometimes we can find the information we want simply by pressing a button. Today we can use the power of the Internet revolution to glean really sound advice, without having to dip our hands to deeply in our pockets.

The key to improving relationships can be bring us less stress and anxiety if we seek out the right information. There are “gold nuggets” to be found if we know where to look. Avoiding a breakup in our relationship is something we can do something about, if we just seek out and follow the advice we are given.

Being more romantic with our spouse or partner can be a simple solution, if we know how. Romance is not very easy when we’ve been having a tough time and reigniting that ‘spark’ can be difficult.

Money related matters often have an impact on our relationships, especially when the economy is in recession; sometimes our jobs or careers can be the cause of friction and cause problems. There are times when our work takes over and we then arrive home later than we wanted to, and this is often a cause of friction.

Is it our sex life that’s causing problems? How bad it is can be improved, if we seek good advice! We all know that we’d like our sex life to be the way it used be in the early days – when we couldn’t get enough of each other! Focusing on improving our sex lives is a way of improving relationships… staying together can be the key and save us from relationship breakdown -.

Living stress-free lives and being happy and fulfilled is not that difficult if we know some of the secrets. Perhaps the route to getting good advice is finding books that have more knowledge on how to resolve our relationship problems.

Finding ways is often easier if we seek out help from those who can give us good advice.

Taking action is often best when you are motivated… and this link might just be the key to help you overcome your relationship issues: www.relationship-secrets.com

Article Source: Be Positive And Look For Good Solutions On How To Improve Relationships – It Isn’t Hard!

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Things You Need To Learn About Motivational Enhancement Therapy

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 9:04 pm

Motivational Enhancement Therapy or MET is one method of psychological therapy that delves into the motivation of an individual for change. Usually, those who undergo Motivational Enhancement Therapy are people with substance dependency such as alcoholics or those with a psychological illness like eating disorders who are very reluctant towards change and who, in most cases, deny that they have a problem to begin with.

The goal of Motivational Enhancement Therapy is to make a person acknowledge that he has a problem and that a change is necessary. It is the job of the therapist to help a person discover the motivational factors that will make him want to change his condition and associated behaviors. Through this counseling approach, this person becomes willing to undergo treatment. The theory behind this approach is that motivation must come inherently in order for change to become effective.

In Motivational Enhancement Therapy, the clients set their own goals although the therapist can make recommendations such as total abstinence, for example. The role of the therapist is that of a guide and the driving force of change is always the client. While this approach is described as directive it is not confrontational, which means it employs more of supportive strategies such as asking open-ended questions and parallel talking. Successful Motivational Enhancement Therapy inspires change without making the client feel that he is being forced, influenced or controlled.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy sessions differ depending on what phase of motivation a client is in whether he is at the initial point where change is not a consideration, or he is already thinking about change and assessing its pros and cons, or he has decided to make a change and looking at options and, lastly, whether the patient has already taken some concrete actions towards change.

In general, sessions work around specific themes such as reasons to stop the problematic behavior or what the patients like and dislike about use of alcohol, for instance. The typical structure of a session of Motivational Enhancement Therapy starts with open-ended questions with a summary of the discussion at the end, at which point the client is given the chance to reflect on the session.

A good motivational counselor or therapist should have a solid understanding of the client’s point of reference. Aside from evoking from the patient statements that are in favor of change, a good therapist must also be able to highlight such statements by filtering the thoughts of the client as well as weaken statements that reflect the current behavior. Lastly, a good therapist makes clients feel accepted and affirms their freedom to choose what is best for their life.

Visit Articlegrow.com for more information about Attraction and Creativity.

Article Source: Things You Need To Learn About Motivational Enhancement Therapy

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