Your recovery is about more than just quitting drugs or alcohol—it’s about healing from the inside out. It means learning how to handle your emotions, finding healthier ways to cope, and beginning to live with purpose and self-respect. Everyone’s journey is different, but one thing stays the same: therapy is a powerful part of rebuilding your life.
No matter where you are in your recovery—just starting out or further along—knowing your therapy options can help you choose the support that fits you best.
Why Therapy Matters in Recovery
Addiction affects more than just your physical health. It impacts how you think, how you cope with stress, how you relate to others, and how you feel about yourself. Therapy gives you a safe space to explore those layers and start untangling the patterns that led to substance use in the first place. Behavioral therapies are a cornerstone of effective addiction treatment.
Therapy can help you:
- Identify triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms
- Address past trauma or difficult experiences
- Rebuild self-worth and confidence
- Improve communication and relationships
- Manage co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
Types of Therapies Used In Recovery
The following are some of the most common therapies used in recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most commonly used therapies in addiction recovery—and for good reason. It helps you recognize the thoughts and behaviors that lead to substance use, and teaches you how to change them.
For example, if you often think, “I’ll never get better,” CBT helps you challenge that thought and replace it with something more constructive, like, “Recovery is hard, but I’m making progress.”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help you manage the thoughts and emotions that fuel cravings and prepare you to face triggers—like certain people, places, or feelings—without returning to use. CBT is especially effective for treating substance use disorders because it gives you tools to understand and change harmful patterns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT was originally created for people with intense emotions and self-destructive behaviors, but it has become a powerful tool in addiction treatment. It combines mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT helps you learn to sit with uncomfortable feelings without reacting to them in destructive ways. You’ll also build stronger relationships and practice setting healthy boundaries—two things that are incredibly important during recovery.
If you’ve ever felt emotionally overwhelmed or had trouble controlling impulses, DBT may be the right fit for you.
Group Therapy
There’s something powerful about sitting in a room with people who truly understand what you’ve been through. Group therapy offers a sense of connection, accountability, and shared growth.
Led by a trained therapist, these sessions give you the opportunity to practice communication skills, hear different perspectives, and support others on their recovery journeys. It’s a reminder that you’re not alone—and that healing doesn’t have to happen in isolation.
Many outpatient programs include group therapy as a core component of care, and it’s often one of the most transformative parts of treatment.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
Many people in recovery have experienced some form of trauma—whether it’s childhood abuse, loss, violence, or neglect. These experiences can leave deep emotional wounds that affect the way you see yourself and the world.
Trauma-informed therapy helps you process those experiences at your own pace, in a safe and supportive environment. The goal isn’t to relive the pain, but to understand how it has shaped your life and to begin healing from it.
This kind of therapy often includes techniques like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Somatic Experiencing, which focus on both the emotional and physical effects of trauma.
Family Therapy
Addiction doesn’t just affect the person using substances—it impacts the entire family. Miscommunication, broken trust, and emotional wounds often linger long after the substance use stops. Family therapy helps repair those relationships.
In family sessions, everyone gets a chance to be heard. You learn how to express needs, set boundaries, and rebuild healthy dynamics. This type of therapy is especially helpful when families want to support a loved one in recovery but aren’t sure how.
Benefits of family therapy:
- Improves communication
- Rebuilds trust and connection
- Helps family members understand addiction
- Creates a supportive home environment
Holistic and Experiential Therapies
Therapy isn’t limited to talking. Holistic approaches like art therapy, mindfulness practices, yoga, and music therapy can help you connect with your emotions in different ways. These therapies are especially helpful when words fall short.
Some benefits of holistic therapies:
- Reduce anxiety and promote relaxation
- Help process emotions through movement or creativity
- Support overall well-being
- Encourage self-expression and self-discovery
Finding What Works for You
The truth is, no single therapy works for everyone. That’s why addiction recovery is most effective when it’s personalized. You may respond well to CBT, while someone else may find healing through DBT or family therapy. If you’re ready to take your healing seriously and want support that’s rooted in compassion, evidence, and personal growth, we’re here for you. Therapy isn’t just about talking—it’s about changing how you see yourself, how you respond to life, and how you build a future that feels worth staying sober for.
You don’t have to do this alone. Mountain Laurel Recovery Center in Westfield, PA is here to help. Reach out to us today to learn more.