The Therapeutic Alliance
Simply put: the Therapeutic Alliance is the mutual bond between therapist and client, as well as the willingness from the patient to immerse in the treatment experience. While it seems like a little thing, it is the most powerful factor in the process of emotional and psychological healing, according to MentalHelp.net. If you do not trust your therapist, you will not be able to fully open up to them and have honest conversations. Without this openness, there will be no progress made on your past trauma. Without progress made on your past trauma, your addiction will fester again in the future and the cycle will keep repeating itself. In order to break this cycle, it is important to be able to bond with and open up to your therapist.
In addition to opening yourself up to the recovery process, the Therapeutic Alliance also includes therapy methods designed to work, competent staff and a drive for nothing less than a positive outcome.
There are four pillars that make up the Therapeutic Alliance as a whole. They include evidentiary clinical philosophy, clinical competency, strategic intervention tools and positive outcomes – all aimed to work together to save lives.
Evidentiary Clinical Philosophy
We know our treatment methods our cutting edge and are all evidence-based. Becoming sober is much more than ending bad habits and talking to a therapist every now and then. It’s about truly immersing yourself into the experience, being serious about it and actively working through any issues you have.
Every client who enters Cliffside gets a customized treatment plan. This is because we understand that no two addictions are the same, and neither should be the treatment for it. Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the length and severity of the addiction, as does therapy and holistic therapies. No matter what your needs, our proven methods will help you through it.
Everyone is different, so we make sure to take the time to meet with you and ensure that you are getting the correct help tailored to you. You are assigned a therapist upon admission who is with you throughout your journey, making the bond stronger and stronger as you go through treatment. If you’re not ready to open up immediately, you will be ready at another point soon during your stay.
Clinical Competency
Cliffside only hires the finest therapists in the industry, with years of clinical experience and a thorough understanding of the Therapeutic Alliance that we create for our clients. Malibu is not just a great location for healing, but it is also home to the industry’s best clinical staff. This means that you will receive treatment from a caring staff who are also the most competent and most professional in the industry.
All of our medical and clinical staff have extensive training and experience in this field, and these have led them to Cliffside Malibu because they are the best of the best, because that is what you deserve.
Strategic Intervention Tools
Cliffside Malibu not only utilizes traditional therapy, but dozens of other modalities as well. We do not believe in treating you as if you are diseased; rather, we believe in encouraging your positive traits and focusing on those. We want to bring out the best in you, as we are extremely committed to your success in recovery. Being able to utilize holistic therapy in conjunction with traditional therapy gives our clients a fresh perspective from not only their mind, but their body and soul as well.
Some of our evidence-based modalities include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy. Also known as DBT, this type of therapy involves changing negative patterns of behavior, such as self-harm, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. This approach is designed to help people increase their emotional and cognitive regulation by learning about the triggers that lead to reactive states and helping to assess which coping skills to apply in the sequence of events, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to help avoid undesired reactions.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. Also known as CBT, this modality involves focusing on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions (e.g. thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes) and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and the development of personal coping strategies that target solving current problems. Originally, it was designed to treat depression, but its use has been expanded to include treatment of a number of mental health conditions, including anxiety and substance abuse.
Some of the holistic therapies we offer include:
- Acupuncture
- Life Coaching
- Massage
- Mindsight
- Relapse Prevention Therapy
- Spiritual Counseling
- Yoga Therapy
Positive Outcomes
Our treatment programs are designed for success. Your recovery success is our success, which makes it important for every step of your journey to be well thought out. We create your treatment plan based on statistical analysis, peer reviewed and our past experiences to optimize the chances for long-term recovery.
Before leaving Cliffside Malibu, every client is offered an aftercare plan. This includes a recommendation as far as living arrangements – whether it means heading home or to a sober living facility – as well as ongoing therapy and more. We also offer an alumni program to kickstart your new sober lifestyle, and to learn from other people who have walked in your shoes. Gaining this insightful advice is a helpful key to recovery.
About Cliffside Malibu
The Therapeutic Alliance is designed to save lives. Through evidence-based treatments, a professional staff, strategic modalities and a drive for positive outcomes, you are set up for success when you enter Cliffside Malibu. The rest of the work is yours. Being able to open up to your therapist, immerse yourself in the experience and believe that you have a healthy life ahead of you are essential.
Each patient is then matched with one of these five stages of the Transtheoretical Model: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action and Maintenance. An individualized treatment plan is created based on their current stage of change. This process is in place to ensure that all our patients receive the best treatment path possible for their own specific need. Our goal is to move individuals through their treatment by assessing their readiness for change and formulating stage-matched interventions in order to move them through their respective stage.
It is the policy of Cliffside Malibu to ensure that all individuals who present with chemical dependency issues are assessed for the appropriate level of care. We strive to provide continuum of care including medically supervised detox, residential treatment, day treatment and outpatient services. Services are provided to individuals with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse and/or alcohol addiction. Individuals seeking treatment are assessed by qualified staff to ensure program criteria are met and that each individual admitted is placed in the appropriate level of care for treatment. The program is designed and structured for individuals who are in need of a supportive environment in order to maintain Sobriety.
For more information on Cliffside Malibu, visit cliffsidemalibu.com