“When people begin to use substances as a coping mechanism to dull the impact of trauma, a co-occurring disorder can easily develop,” says Eileen Hennessey, LPC, LCADC, ACS, Clinical Manager of the Women’s Program at Princeton House’s outpatient North Brunswick site. “In these situations, we help patients recognize maladaptive patterns and replace unhealthy coping skills with a toolkit of healthier options.”
As one path to achieving these goals, the Women’s Program offers a Seeking Safety curriculum specifically designed for those with co-occurring disorders. This evidence-based group therapy program provides a safe haven from trauma and addictive substances, enabling patients to begin healing without the need to delve into the details of past trauma. With an emphasis on the present rather than the past, it offers coping strategies to help patients become safer in relationships, thought processes, and actions.
“This curriculum centers on how trauma and substance abuse are interconnected, affecting both the brain and the body,” says Hennessey. “We focus heavily on cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, educating patients about physiological responses, triggers, grounding skills, and relapse prevention.”
Grounding Skills in the Moment
Comprehensive patient education, skills practice, and the group dynamic in this curriculum are all designed to provide the support needed to broaden the window of tolerance for outpatients with co-occurring disorders. As part of this approach, Hennessey often recommends specific grounding skills that patients can use in the moment, including:
- Self-soothing breathing techniques
- Active grounding skills, such as taking a walk, listening to music, or doing a puzzle
- The use of ice to slow the heart rate and change emotion quickly
- Visualization of a safe space
In addition, patients in the Women’s Program have access to therapists who provide on-the-spot coaching throughout the program day to help them quickly identify what distress tolerance skills might be most effective when they feel dysregulated. These 5- to 10-minute sessions reinforce coping strategies that patients can use and build on in everyday life.
When to Refer
Hennessey suggests that behavioral health professionals consider referring their patients for partial hospital or intensive outpatient therapy if traditional outpatient sessions are becoming too triggering, if patients are having chronic substance use relapse, or if the lack of a strong support network is impeding progress.
“With a co-occurring disorder, it takes time to adjust to abstinence and return the body and mind to a healthier state,” adds Hennessey. “We help these patients find stability and build their support networks, so that they can continue to work effectively from this foundation when they return to their outpatient therapists.”
"The Women’s Program provides a valuable structure for our patients, and I’ve seen some wonderful results since I joined Princeton House North Brunswick in March. We’ve recently enhanced the curriculum and training to ensure that we continue to offer the consistent, high-quality care that distinguishes Princeton House.” —Eileen Hennessey, LPC, LCADC, ACS, Clinical Manager of the Women’s Program in North Brunswick
For more information about the Women’s Program at Princeton House, visit princetonhouse.org/women or call 888.437.1610.
Article as seen in the Fall 2018 issue of Princeton House Behavioral Health Today.
