Addiction Recovery Therapy

The therapeutic program at NorthStar is designed to help the student maintain sobriety and raise awareness about self-defeating behaviors that are sabotaging the student's ability to achieve life goals.  Students have an individual counselor during both phases of the program.  Each student will work with his/her individual counselor to develop a therapeutic plan of emotional issues and family issues to be addressed.  Students attend group therapy sessions three times per week so that they may address social issues and learn and practice new communication skills.  NorthStar students also meet regularly with the Substance Abuse Counselor that works with each student to develop a Recovery Plan which includes: 12-step support group attendance, 12-step work, addressing post-acute withdrawal symptoms, identifying high risk situations and warning signs and integrating emotional regulation skills into the Recovery Plan.  The Substance Abuse Counselor meets with students regularly to address emerging recovery issues and modify their Recovery Plan. 

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At NorthStar, students also participate in psycho-educational groups to learn about the recovery process, relapse prevention planning, emotion regulation skills, distress tolerance skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills, and irresponsible thinking patterns.  Students learn about the importance of mindfulness (present moment awareness) in changing behavior and practice mindfulness each day. 

NorthStar students also participate in workshops to deepen their emotional awareness.  The workshops help students move beyond the negative messages and beliefs that defined their past behaviors and into a more positive relationship with themselves and others.  NorthStar also offers two intensive Family Retreat Workshops that help students and their parents increase productive communication and work through some of the past communication barriers.