Our Programs

CBT is a clinically proven form of treatment that helps clients identify negative and faulty thought patterns and/or behaviors, and, subsequently, develop effective strategies to counteract and, ultimately, change, those thoughts and behaviors.

CBT is an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health issues; it’s not only effective when treating substance use disorders, but in addressing many common co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and others.

The use of CBT in the IOP program helps members build the coping skills needed to prevent relapse.

DBT is a subset of CBT therapy focusing on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The term “dialectical” refers to the therapy’s combination of two seemingly opposite concepts: acceptance and change.  DBT focuses mainly on paying careful attention to one’s thoughts and feelings in order to regulate emotional responses in a healthy way.

A common symptom of substance abuse is a person’s difficulty in regulating emotions and their responses to those emotions.  As part of In Balance’s IOP program, clients will have the opportunity to track and understand their feelings so they can better respond 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 IOP group sessions, members collaborate and 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.

Substance abuse affects the entire family, not just the person seeking treatment. In order to aid and heal damaged family relationships, IOP group members are encouraged to invite their family members and loved ones to the group twice a month. Attendees will receive education in such subject matters as setting healthy boundaries, understanding the addiction process, codependency, enmeshment, family systems, family roles, and feelings identification and expression. These sessions will help families understand the disease model of addiction, how to best support their loved ones in recovery, and, just as importantly, learn skills to heal themselves.

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.

In Balance regularly offers recreational/experiential therapy as an adjunct to group therapy. When clients work together on an activity, they’re able to learn more about their addiction from a different perspective; experiential-based therapy allows people in recovery to learn about themselves by doing recovery. Recreational and experiential-based therapy improves self-esteem, strengthens social connections, and boosts cognitive abilities as clients experience recovery in the context of daily life. Some of the experiences offered include:

• Hiking
• Art Expression
• Yoga
• Community Service Work
• Field Trips (Museums, Botanical Gardens, Bowling, Skating, etc.)

Equine Assisted Therapy is an experiential form of therapy that involves working with horses. For centuries, horses and humans have shared a strong bond that is based on trust and non-verbal communication. Horses, as sensitive, powerful, and responsive herd animals, have an incredible mirroring ability. They can organically reflect how people experience our lives.

Equine Assisted Therapy offers clients unique opportunities for identifying (in a surprisingly short time) patterns, strengths, and challenges. One’s self-care, assertiveness, and intensity under stress are all reflected during equine therapy; horses provide instant feedback during the session and intuitively acknowledge blocks, dissonance, or other emotional barriers and provide informational feedback. Processing feelings, life skills, communication, teamwork, and empathy can all play a part in equine sessions. Many participants report that these experiences are life-changing.

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.

In Balance encourages IOP group members to tap into the many strengths and benefits of the 12-step programs Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Al-Anon. The community, fellowship, and spirituality that the 12 Step programs offer are important components in maintaining sobriety.

In Balance IOP helps introduce the 12 Step recovery community to clients by periodically inviting members of 12 Step groups to share their experience in outpatient sessions. The 12 Step community offers the support, experience, and guidance of people who have already walked the difficult path toward recovery. In addition, those in longer-term sobriety find that sharing their experience, strength, and hope with others can help them maintain their own sobriety into the future.