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The Dunes East Hampton is a strong believer that a blend of holistic treatment and clinical services are needed in order to help people recover from drug or alcohol addiction. Therefore, in addition to our unique holistic treatment offerings, we have a comprehensive lineup of tried-and-true clinical services, as delivered by licensed counselors, therapists and similar professionals.
Our inpatient addiction treatment program is highly customized to the individual, so it’s unlikely any one client will be directed to participate in every single form of clinical treatment we offer. Nonetheless, to get a better idea of each of our clinical treatment offerings, here’s more on each of those services:
Addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and the person’s behavior. Concrete neuroscientific evidence says that brain and body chemistry change with addiction.
Thus, we deliver addiction education, which provides an understandable review of the chemical impact alcohol and drugs have on the body and mind – such as increased tolerance, cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
We place particular emphasis on the client’s personal understanding of where they are most vulnerable and how to utilize the tools they are given in rehab to prevent relapse. Clients leave our addiction education group with practical knowledge of how this disease expresses itself physiologically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
EMDR affects how the brain processes information, similar to what occurs during the dream phase of sleep (known as rapid eye movement). Utilizing light and guided by a trained therapist, clients explore past trauma in a safe, controlled environment. EMDR does not erase trauma, but helps clients view the disturbing experience as a less distressing experience.
EMDR is approved and utilized by The World Health Organization, American Psychiatric Association, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Defense as an effective treatment for PTSD, trauma and other psychological distress.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is used to reduce symptoms of addiction and mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on challenging and changing cognitive distortions (thoughts and beliefs) and their associated behaviors to improve a person’s emotional regulation, functioning and relationships. Research shows CBT is a highly effective method of treatment.
In many cases, addictive behavior is rooted in some form of trauma, such as emotional or physical abuse, or the death of a loved one. By turning to alcohol or drugs to numb pain or grief, the individual postpones true healing from the event, which can drive him or her further into addiction.
Substance abuse is a false remedy for the negative feelings that result from trauma. Through various types of therapy (such as RTR (Relationship Trauma Repair), Sociometrics, Psychodrama, Equine Therapy, IFS, etc. at The Dunes, clients who are assessed and approved can process trauma-related memories and feelings so they can learn to regulate these negative emotions and start trusting others again.
Experiential therapy techniques involve engaging clients in activities to process emotions and experiences, rather than solely relying on verbal discussion. These techniques often include role-playing, expressive arts, music, and outdoor activities. The goal is to help individuals access and work through emotions, beliefs, and past experiences in a more embodied and direct way.
Relational trauma can cause a loss of connection with the self and impact our ability to engage comfortably in intimate connection with others. Feeling misread, neglected, or abused by the people we want most to be loved by is a traumatizing experience that is cumulative. When these relational wounds remain unseen and unresolved, they can become the pain pump fueling self-medicating and dysfunctional behaviors that silently pass down through generations. -Tian Dayton PhD., TEP
“Words need to connect to something on the inside of us, to describe an inner state if we are to develop emotional intelligence and emotional literacy or the ability to think and talk about our feelings. But what happens if our feelings are unavailable to us or if when we try to dial them up from the deep recesses of our inner world, nothing comes? What do we tell a therapist, a lover, or a friend who asks us to tell them how we feel, when we ourselves don’t even know or know when, in fact, we cannot feel it? Trauma shuts feelings down. Recovery wakes them up. The recognition that trauma healing is a mind-body process has increasingly influenced many current forms of therapy. We need to reconnect with and feel the experiences of our lives in order to heal them. And we need face-to-face therapeutic encounters to repair an undermined ability to connect in meaningful ways.” – Tian Dayton PhD., TEP
The combination of sociometrics and simple role plays allow the body, as well as the mind, to find a voice. They draw on the theory base of psychodrama and sociometry, the first forms of mind/body, experiential therapy created by the father of group therapy, Jacob Levy Moreno. -Tian Dayton PhD., TEP
Improved Emotional Literacy:
Clients develop a greater understanding of their emotions and learn to manage them effectively.’
Sociometrics help individuals develop skills to regulate their emotions and behaviors in healthy ways.
By exploring interpersonal dynamics and practicing communication, clients can build stronger and more meaningful connections.
The processes foster resilience by helping individuals process past experiences and develop coping strategies for future challenges.
Sociometrics prioritize creating a safe and supportive space for participants to explore their emotions and experiences.
Equine-assisted therapy is the practice of using horses to provide self-reflective, metaphorical experiences to foster emotional growth. This practice can be a powerful tool for recovering addicts during the difficult rehabilitation process. By working with horses, we can experience a profound shift in the way we view our relationships with others, as well as our own thoughts and emotions.
Under the instruction and supervision of a certified EAP (equine-assisted psychotherapy) technician at The Dunes, clients will not ride but instead learn to connect authentically through touching, grooming and guiding the horses. These tasks build abilities in:
Equine-assisted therapy is a way to reconnect with our deeper selves and overcome the psychological hurdles that resulted in addictive patterns of behavior. The experience serves as a metaphor for how we feel and react in real-world situations.
Individuals who are in recovery report many life-changing benefits after working closely with horses. This is especially true for those who struggle with allowing themselves to become emotionally vulnerable with other people. An animal won’t judge you for your past mistakes and shortcomings, which makes equine-assisted therapy a wonderful addition to the inpatient addiction treatment program at The Dunes.
The purpose of hypnotherapy is to help clients access a deeper sense of awareness or perspective about any type of addiction or recovery issue that is interesting, troubling, or calls for deeper understanding. Normal conversation takes place at the beta brain frequency where we harness our logical executive brain centers to communicate with each other and navigate day to day life. Hypnotherapy takes place at the alpha or theta level of consciousness where the unconscious mind can produce images, feelings, sensations and insights that aren’t typically available in normal beta-level conversation. Hypnosis feels like your body is asleep while your awareness is awake, and clients maintain a sense of full control in their sessions. Hypnotherapy does not remove substance use addiction, but it can allow deeper insight into personal experience and patterns of behavior. When Dunes clients are asked to briefly summarize why they chose to engage in Hypnotherapy, these are some of the most common reasons:
