4 Benefits of Integrating Creative Therapies Into Client Care

Healthcare professionals use innovative techniques and complementary therapies to support clients struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health disorders. Many treatment programs combine evidence-based and holistic modalities to help clients heal. Creative therapies offer a unique opportunity for clients and clinicians to engage on a deeper level and address underlying issues affecting client health. Driftwood Recovery uses creative therapies to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with SUD or mental health issues. 

What Are Creative Therapies?

Creative therapies combine psychotherapy with art, music, crafts, dance, and other forms of creative expression. People use creativity to explore their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs in a safe and nonjudgmental space. According to the Journal of Addictions Nursing, research studies into the effectiveness of art therapy “suggest several benefits for SUD patients, such as decreasing denial, reducing opposition to alcoholism treatment, providing an outlet for communication, and lessening shame.” Driftwood Recovery encourages clinicians to use creative therapeutic approaches to help clients address the effects of SUD and co-occurring mental health disorders. 

Some of the most common forms of creative therapy include: 

• Art
• Music
• Dance and movement 
• Drama therapy 
• Writing or journaling 
• Play therapy 
• Photography
• Digital art
• Combining multiple creative modalities (e.g., playing music and writing lyrics)

Creativity is an excellent tool for regulating and processing emotions. Artistic therapies and creative activities can reduce the risk of relapse and improve overall mental wellness. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff members to support clients’ artistic endeavors during and after treatment. Counselors, therapists, and support staff build meaningful relationships with clients by helping them explore artistic interests through therapy. 

How Do Creative Therapies Improve the Client-Clinician Relationship?

Therapies incorporating art, music, and other forms of creative expression help clients identify and process emotions, build communication skills, and set boundaries. The client-clinician relationship can be complicated for some people. Creative therapies provide clients with additional support and guidance. Healthcare professionals also use creativity to problem-solve challenges in recovery and build more meaningful connections with clients. 

Mental health and addiction recovery experts face multiple challenges in developing trusting relationships with clients. Some individuals in rehabilitation may have a history of trauma or abuse that leaves them afraid or emotionally closed off. To build a collaborative relationship, staff must bridge gaps between themselves and clients using healthy and practical tools, including artistic activities. 

4 Ways Creative Therapies Improve Treatment Outcomes

Therapy helps clients heal, grow, and reintegrate into the community. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “In general, the goals of psychotherapy are to gain relief from symptoms, maintain or enhance daily functioning, and improve quality of life.” Below are four ways healthcare professionals can use a combination of creative therapies and psychotherapy to improve treatment outcomes for clients with SUD or mental health disorders. 

#1. Enhanced Client Engagement

Artistic activities are often considered more fun than traditional talk therapy. Clients who find therapeutic exercises fun and enjoyable stay actively engaged with their treatment plans. Therapists and other clinicians collaborate with clients to determine which form of creative expression best supports their healing journey. Driftwood Recovery offers multiple artistic activities and therapeutic modalities to ensure clients can access various support services. Staff members reduce workplace stress and improve treatment quality by increasing client engagement. 

#2. Deeper Client-Clinician Connection

Art is often meant to be shared. Clients benefit from using their art to communicate complex ideas, thoughts, or beliefs with their loved ones and care team. Therapeutic activities involving art, music, writing, and other forms of creative expression can deepen the bond between clients and clinicians.

#3. More Significant Therapeutic Impact

Psychotherapy is often used alongside creative outlets to enhance the therapeutic process. According to Frontiers in Psychology, “The overall goal of its practitioners [of art therapy] is to enable clients to change and grow on a personal level through the use of artistic materials in a safe and convenient environment.” 

Artistic self-expression allows clients to experience more profound insights about their condition and may help them build better coping skills. As a result, healthcare professionals may not have to work as hard to guide these clients through their recovery journey. The positive impact of artistic therapies can cause clients to heal more quickly from the effects of SUD or mental health disorders. 

#4. Reduced Emotional Burnout for Therapists

Many therapists and counselors experience emotional burnout if they do not take the time to reduce stress in the workplace. Creative therapies are an excellent tool for managing stress and creating a supportive environment for clients. 

Creative therapies reduce emotional burnout for therapists by doing the following: 

• Encouraging emotional expression of complex topics and feelings
• Providing a sense of emotional renewal
• Offering clients and clinicians a break from traditional treatment methods
• Improving work satisfaction 
• Fostering empathy and connection
• Reducing compassion fatigue 
• Encouraging mindfulness

Clinicians need to practice self-care at home and work to focus on providing the best treatment to clients. Driftwood Recovery encourages staff to practice self-care and take advantage of alternative therapies to reduce stress in the workplace and create a positive client experience. 

Innovative therapeutic techniques and creative treatments allow experts to practice greater flexibility with clients. Individuals taking advantage of holistic therapies incorporating art, music, and other forms of creative self-expression often report better treatment outcomes. Many new therapeutic modalities have been created to address trauma, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. Some artistic therapies have been tailored to address specific disorders and mental health issues. The addiction recovery and mental health experts at Driftwood Recovery use creative therapies to reduce stress in treatment programs and improve client engagement. Every treatment program offers multiple artistic activities and therapeutic modalities. To learn more about our programs and staff, contact our office today at (512) 759-8330.

Group therapy is a commonly used psychotherapy in most mental health care and addiction treatment facilities, especially Driftwood Recovery. It’s effective, safe, and offers an environment of support for those recovering from a wide range of mental health conditions. Despite its effectiveness, not many people know exactly what group therapy entails. Those who do know somewhat about group therapy tend to confuse it with a support group, which is quite different. 

Understanding these differences and what to expect in group therapy helps de-stigmatize mental health care and prepares potential clients for therapies they may participate in. Education doesn’t just prepare a person for treatment; it also prepares them for healing.

Group Therapy vs. Support Groups

On the outside, group therapy and support groups look very similar. Both involve a group of people talking about and sharing their thoughts and experiences. Both can be very helpful in the recovery process. However, there are differences that people should be aware of.

Group therapy is:

• Lead by a mental health care professional, such as a therapist
• Has strict guidelines for establishing and maintaining safety
• Works to heal specific issues and is usually tailored for specific audiences
• Helps clients make changes to their behavior and thinking patterns that improve their lives

Support groups are:

• Lead by volunteers who may or may not have mental health training 
• May have difficulties establishing safety guidelines due to more open and loose organization 
• Has a more generalized and broad approach to support 
• Works to help individuals cope with things they cannot change 

In a nutshell, group therapy is best for clients who are working to overcome a specific issue that they can recover from, such as addiction. This therapy gives them the safety to fully open up and receive legitimate mental health treatment to make positive and lasting changes to their lives. Support groups are great for clients who want generalized support for a difficulty in their life that can’t be changed, such as living with cancer. These groups, however, do provide fantastic support and understanding. Support groups focus more on coping and living well, not clinical mental health care. 

What Is It Like to Participate in Group Therapy?

A licensed mental health care professional always leads group therapy. Think of them like a conductor who helps the group stay on task, mitigate problems, and keep order. The job of this professional is also to ensure that each individual gets the treatment they need to meet their recovery goals. So, if you are worried that group therapy is a “watered-down” treatment, don’t be. Each client will always get the attention they need, such as making sure they feel safe and ensuring they can speak when they want to. 

Group therapy is fairly straightforward. The therapist introduces the topic or content of that day’s discussion and invites clients to participate in an orderly manner. Clients then share their thoughts and experiences on the topic. This process yields a tremendous amount of life experiences and wisdom, which can be used to help other clients in the group heal. 

It’s common for new group members not to want to share at first, and that’s okay. Clients are never forced to share if they don’t feel ready, but they are expected to respect other clients when they speak. The therapist provides direction and continues sharing until the time is up or a stopping point is reached. Clients are encouraged to reflect on what they have heard and shared during group therapy and rest. 

Healing the Soul

There are many reasons why group therapy is so prevalent, especially in holistic treatment plans. Yes, it provides clinical therapy for mental health disorders. But it also provides healing beyond the mind. Group therapy shows clients who may have felt completely alone in their struggles that they are not alone. It teaches them that they deserve compassion, respect, and understanding from others. Group therapy also provides a means of accountability, which encourages clients to work hard at achieving their goals and making healthy choices. It’s not uncommon for timid clients to finish group therapy feeling more confident and strong than when they started. 

Group therapy encourages clients to be more compassionate and nonjudgmental in their beliefs and viewpoints. After all, a small group could have well over a hundred years of combined life experiences. Young or old, these experiences are valuable, showing clients that meaningful change is always possible. Group therapy is wonderful for teaching clients skills such as navigating peer pressure or preventing a relapse. But its biggest value lies in establishing human connections with others, which is necessary for a healthy spirit. 

Group Therapy at Driftwood Recovery

The staff at Driftwood Recovery believes that clients should have access to the best in comprehensive and quality mental health care and addiction treatment. This includes group therapy, which is important to our goal of forging healthier human connections and establishing a robust support network for our clients. We understand that group therapy can be difficult to undergo, as it requires clients to make themselves vulnerable to others. To assist client comfort, we provide plenty of opportunities for therapeutic recreation, rest, and reflection on our beautiful private campus. 

We are committed to providing a safe, private, and secure environment for healing. This includes group therapy. Clients can expect to be treated with respect and compassion with a strict code of conduct that has no place for judgment or belittlement. With such safeguards in place, there’s little reason not to try this effective and efficient therapy for healing. 

Group therapy is an effective and safe form of therapy that helps clients connect with their fellow peers. These connections help clients learn from the mistakes of others, find genuine understanding, and have a way to be held accountable for their actions. Through this, clients find an avenue of healing, peace, and recovery. At Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, we utilize group therapy as an important part of addiction and mental health treatment. With a focus on peer support and mutual encouragement, our clients find a safe and secure environment for change. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or mental health disorders, don’t wait. Call Driftwood Recovery today at (512) 759-8330. 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 46.3 million people meet the criteria for substance use disorder (SUD). However, of those 46.3 million, 20.9 million are recovering or in recovery. Therefore, understanding and supporting life in recovery is invaluable to helping people reintegrate into their lives and communities. Through continuing care found in an alumni program, resources and services like the value of therapy become apparent. 

At Driftwood Recovery, we recognize that ideas about recovery come with a complex set of predispositions and assumptions. Those predispositions and assumptions about recovery can impede your ability to reintegrate and build the courageous life in recovery you deserve. We are dedicated to providing education and guidance through connection and service to meet your physical, psychological, and sober needs to maintain recovery.

Yet, you may question how therapy can continue to support you in recovery. You already went through therapy in treatment, so what could therapy offer you now? Understanding how therapy functions can provide greater insight into the value of therapy for recovery.

Types of Therapy Offered During and Post-Treatment

Challenges with addiction are complex, and treatment needs to be tailored to meet the individual needs and experiences of each person. Thus, there are various therapy options utilized to support and treat a variety of challenges with addiction. As stated in Addiction Psychotherapeutic Care by Han Yue and Eduardo Pena, psychosocial interventions like therapy are crucial to addiction treatment. Through psychosocial interventions, a greater understanding of the social, environmental, and psychological factors that contribute to SUD is found. 

Listed below are some of the psychosocial interventions that can be utilized during and post-treatment:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectal behavior therapy (DBT)
• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy

While everyone’s needs are different, the value of therapy can provide a foundation for healing and managing daily life. Despite the benefits of therapy experienced in treatment, many people avoid or see no value in therapy beyond treatment. 

The Why Behind Therapy Avoidance in Recovery

Awareness of the prevalence of mental health disorders among the general public has grown substantially. Greater awareness of mental health disorders is made clear in the growing number of people living with one or more mental health disorders. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among adults in the U.S., 58.7 million are living with a mental health condition. Further, the CDC notes that another 14.6 million people are living with serious mental health conditions like major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. 

For those in recovery, post-treatment therapy is often recommended as a part of continuing care. Yet, many, including those in recovery, continue to have unmet mental health needs. Unmet mental health needs in recovery can stem from several factors, but avoidance is a common barrier to the value of therapy in recovery. Some of the reasons why you may avoid therapy in recovery include:

• Feeling certain that you have overcome all mental health challenges
• Believing the tools you learned in treatment alone can resolve any challenges you encounter
• You are convinced that you have too many responsibilities and obligations to go to therapy
• Feeling certain that additional treatment would not be helpful
• Post-treatment life can amplify reminders of mental health stigma

Avoiding therapy post-treatment can be detrimental to your well-being. Thus, expanding your awareness of the value of therapy can highlight the importance of continuing care in recovery.

Value of Therapy for Sustained Recovery

Many recognize the value of therapy in treatment due to the prevalence of co-occurring SUD and other mental health conditions. Yet, the value of therapy is often overlooked as an invaluable continuing care tool for sustained recovery. As noted in Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, continuing care is an important component of a dynamic recovery process. Some of the ways continuing care tools support recovery include:

• Maintain abstinence 
• Relapse prevention
• Access to other support resources
• Linking community support 
• Address interrelated recovery challenges
  • Employment
  • Housing
  • Support network
  • Sober recreation
  • Meaningful and fun hobbies and activities
• Skill building
• Self-management
• Goal setting
• Identifying barriers to goals
• Methods for overcoming goal barriers
• Mental well-being

Therapy can be another continuing care component to support your life goals and long-term wellness. Listed below are some of the benefits therapy can offer in recovery:

• Provide education about addiction, relapse, and recovery
• Develop healthy coping and communication skills
• Build a support network
• Greater self-awareness and self-understanding
• Increase self-esteem, self-confidence, and motivation
• Improve sense of purpose and belonging
• Manage mental health symptoms
• Provide accountability

Looking at the value of therapy alone highlights continuing care as vital to recovery. Despite the value of therapy, individual avoidance or overconfidence are not the only barriers to therapy in recovery.

Addressing Barriers to the Value of Therapy

There are external barriers to therapy that attempt to impede your access to resources for sustained recovery. Some of the other barriers to resources like therapy you may encounter include:

• Stigma
  • Shame
  • Fear of judgment
• Concerns about confidentiality and trust
• Poor access to resources
  • Transportation
  • Geographical isolation
  • Financial insecurity
  • Structural inequalities
    • Sex and gender identity
    • Race and ethnicity
• Lack of inclusive support services
  • Trauma-informed
  • Gender-responsive

Despite the presence of structural barriers, access to a strong alumni program can help overcome barriers to thrive in recovery.

Finding the Value of Therapy in Alumni at Driftwood Recovery

With a vibrant alumni program, you not only have access to therapy. You can access a range of continuing care services and resources that more effectively integrate community for enjoyment and a sense of meaning and purpose in recovery. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a peer-driven network where you can find compassionate support, accountability, and guidance to maintain recovery. We provide a wide range of services and resources like recovery education and weekly meetings and events no matter where you are on your recovery journey. With support, you can build a courageous life in recovery.

Overconfidence, avoidance, and structural barriers often impede investing in the value of therapy for sustained recovery. However, more awareness of continuing care can showcase the value of therapy in recovery. Access to continuing care supports relapse prevention, skill building, goal setting, and addressing other recovery challenges like unemployment and unstable housing, among other support tools. Further, continuing therapy post-treatment can specifically support recovery education, healthy coping skills, self-esteem, and building a support network. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing a peer-driven network where you can find compassion, service, accountability, and guidance to meet you where you are on your recovery journey. Call us at (512) 759-8330 to learn how therapy can continue to support your recovery.