Questions about Treatment
I tend to think of the calls I receive as having a two-fold focus. One part is what you (the caller) share with me, the other part is what I (the program manager) share with you. During such calls I receive various questions about the program and how it works. One of the most common questions is “How does therapy work?” or “what does the therapist do?”
In this blog I will write a little about what we share and why.
What I usually say in reply to the above question is: ”You are gaining something like a caring, experienced coach who will focus on helping you deal with and change your circumstances.” An example might be restoring health to personal relationships or re-establishing financial stability. Sometimes I add that being in treatment is like gaining a knowledgeable confidant with whom you can openly discuss and address your gambling and the problems it has caused.
For example, if you express concern about family relationships, I would likely explain how you can discuss this with the therapist, set specific goals which aim at this, and work together using strategies that can accomplish this. The techniques learned vary, but all focus on helping you stop the problem, understand it and replace it with mental health and recovery. Put simply, treatment can help you restore health, balance and even happiness to your life and the lives of those you care about.
Regardless of the specific help needed, I typically try to focus on two related tasks:
First, I acknowledge what is at stake for the you, what is important and why. Second, I make sure to listen attentively and typically takes notes as we talk. This approach promotes engagement and deeper understanding which helps me better help you.
If you or someone you care about has been affected by problem gambling, feel free to contact us. We will gladly answer your questions and happily offer help. For more information follow the links below.
Resource Links
http://s96539219.onlinehome.us/toolkits/FirstStepSite/main.htm