It is a well-known fact, and yes you have probably read or heard it before that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most evidenced-based psychological therapy available today and is the preferred therapeutic approach of the NHS. However, it is probably not the first modality one would associate with when working with clients presenting with substance misuse, having said that, CBT is very adaptable and can be integrated with Relapse Prevention (RP), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), as well as other approaches.

What I do…

I am a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist working with West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service (WLDAS), my team is called The Moving on Service where currently, I hold the position of Counsellor/Line Manager working on a 1:1 basis with offenders and vulnerable adults. In addition, I was responsible for compiling and presenting/facilitating the first group work program, appropriately named CBT in Groups which is open to the whole WLDAS service, moreover will now be open to the Addiction Care Partnership (ACP) that incorporates WLDAS, Social Work Addictions, NHS Lothian and Cyrenians Recovery Service. This is due to the successful pilot of CBT in Groups over the past 14 months. Groups have focused on anxiety and depression after my colleagues and I conducted a survey of our clients to ascertain their preferred choice of a group work program, indeed the latest group has just ended after a 12-week run.

How the groups worked…

There have been 3 groups piloted, covering a total of 30 weeks, with accumulative referrals of 54 clients. There were 29 clients who did not attend or disengaged after 3 weeks, however, a total of 25 clients remained consistently in attendance between the 3 groups: 6, 6 and 13 respectively.

Criteria to attend CBT in Groups (pilot)is simply to have had or currently have a substance misuse issue (stable enough to attend weekly groups), or have been affected by another’s substance misuse, that being a wife, husband, partner, other family member or friend and be working on a 1:1 basis with one of the counselling team at WLDAS.

Bringing two together…

My colleagues in psychiatry will proclaim, ‘get rid of the substance misuse and your mental health will improve!’ I whole heartily agree but if only the substance misuse has gone the possibilities of relapse significantly remain as drugs and/or alcohol are extensively used as a coping strategy. Therefore, I am of the professional opinion (as are others within the field) that when there is a dual diagnosis (mental health issue and substance misuse)both require to be addressed simultaneously, obviously helping the client to establish a period of stability regarding the substance is vitally important at the beginning of any intervention.

To find out more get in touch with us on 0141 554 0838 or email us here.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

If you are looking for therapists who offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for a range of mental health issues you can read more about it on this page. We offer therapy at Act Counselling and CBT Services and are happy to speak with you today should you wish to find out more and book in with one of our therapists. Get in touch with us today via our online contact form or call us on 0141 554 0838.

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With CBT group therapy, where clients are given the opportunity to work with their counsellor on a 1:1 basis regarding the substance and attend a group to address, arguably two of the most common underlying mental health issues associated with substance misuse, anxiety and depression.

Respective anxiety and depression manuals were compiled and given to each group member for them to use on a weekly basis and indeed keep for future reference after the group ended. In true CBT tradition, an inventory was completed on a weekly basis and cross-referenced with the previous week. Examples of other items covered throughout each group are:

-Cognitive distortions

-Automatic thoughts

-Thought records

-Identifying emotions

– Controlling breathing exercises

-Progressive muscle relaxation

-Graded exposure

-Daily achievement journal

-Behavioural activation

-Safe place imagery

-Activity schedule

-Rumination

-Strengths and qualities

Group work and its benefits…

There was always time for group discussion which led to another vital part of any group, that being mutual aid. As a facilitator, it is a privilege to witness catharsis, universality and the installation of hope within each group I have been part of. Indeed bringing each group to an end, listening to the changes that have been made and plans to do more of what has helped is inspiring and motivational to me. There is no better feeling than playing a small part in another human beings recovery.

As with any therapeutic/psychoeducational setting, without the core conditions of genuineness, acceptance and empathy, neither groups nor 1:1 settings would have very little chance of building rapport, therapeutic alliance, working alliance, call it what you will, between the presenter/facilitator and attendees. Effective psychotherapy in any setting requires an effective therapeutic alliance between client(s) and therapist/facilitator.

Diploma Course…

The ACT Counselling Services PG Dip Level Diploma in CBT and Groupwork is the ideal course on which to learn and develop the knowledge, skills and attitude to become an effective group facilitator.

To find out more get in touch on 0141 554 0838 or contact us here.

By Mark Vance (PG Dip CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

If you are looking for therapists who offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for a range of mental health issues you can read more about it on this page. We offer therapy at Act Counselling and CBT Services and are happy to speak with you today should you wish to find out more and book in with one of our therapists. Get in touch with us today via our online contact form or call us on 0141 554 0838.

The post Triggers for Substance Misuse appeared first on ACT Counselling and Training Services Ltd.

By, Alana MacDonald, Specialist CAMHS Dietitian and CBT therapist.

Our brain – the organ that holds the door to a complex world of cognitive and emotional functioning; shaping our every day lives, social interactions, academic pursuits and of course, our personality. Yet this priceless asset is often neglected when we are considering a healthy diet. When was the last time you heard someone say, “I am going on a diet to improve my mood”? As a dietitian working in mental health and a CBT therapist, I often notice how physical health and appearance will take precedence when it comes to making dietary choices. However without a healthy and well functioning brain, so much is at risk!

Considering how foods affect our mood is no easy task. There are many aspects to dietary choices, meal patterns and emotional connections to food which all impact our mood.

Eating Patterns

Let’s start by looking at eating patterns. Poor energy levels can lead to withdrawal, anxiety and short temperament. Hunger does not bode well for maintaining emotional balance or logical thinking. Our diet regulates our blood sugars, serotonin release and energy levels. Without a regular intake of healthy and balanced foods, we are left at risk of poor emotional control and poor attention. Eating every three to four hours can help us maintain a clear mind and good control over our mood throughout the day.

Emotional regulation and concentration

Playing an equally important part of emotional regulation and concentration is the actual content of our diet. Basing our meals and snacks around whole foods such as complex carbohydrates, good quality proteins, fruits and vegetables will help maintain a steady supply of energy, vitamins and minerals to our brain over the course of the day. This supports our concentration, reasoning and emotional stability. Maintaining good hydration with approximately 6-8 glasses of fluid will also enable quicker thinking and reaction times.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

If you are looking for therapists who offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for a range of mental health issues you can read more about it on this page. We offer therapy at Act Counselling and CBT Services and are happy to speak with you today should you wish to find out more and book in with one of our therapists. Get in touch with us today via our online contact form or call us on 0141 554 0838.

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Psychoeducational process

We travel the UK meeting CBT Tutors, Practitioners and Supervisors who still report frustrations in implementing a coherent Psychoeducational process that teaches others how to elegantly identify and challenge unhelpful thinking styles and come up with alternative balanced thoughts.
Indeed, we still hear the language of ‘changing negative thinking to positive thinking.’ We would suggest that this language is firstly disrespectful to the Human Condition. We subscribe to the theory that we have evolved to scan for more threat as a safety mechanism and by goodness, this ‘negative thinking’ will have worked at some point, otherwise, we as Human Beings would not be doing it.

The Stone Age Family

Our readers may have already heard the story about the Stone Age family who did not have a care in the world until the first member was snatched by a sabre-toothed tiger. Wonder how carefree they were the next time they turned their back to fill the water pouch, turned an unexplored corner or indeed ventured out the cave. Would they be engaging in ‘negative thinking?’

The ACT Counselling Services approach

At ACT Counselling Services we have designed our own Psychoeducation process that can help identify, clarify and evaluate unhelpful thoughts, with a view to generating some alternative balanced and helpful thoughts. It begins with a ‘State’ and it ends with ‘Although.’ There are of course a few stages in between. By engaging in any of the Services offered on the ACT Counselling Services website (Therapy, Supervision, Diploma, Short Courses) you will discover this fascinating process for yourself.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

If you are looking for therapists who offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for a range of mental health issues you can read more about it on this page. We offer therapy at Act Counselling and CBT Services and are happy to speak with you today should you wish to find out more and book in with one of our therapists. Get in touch with us today via our online contact form or call us on 0141 554 0838.

The post Negative Thinking appeared first on ACT Counselling and Training Services Ltd.