Do I have to come with my spouse/partner? What if I just want to come for me?
Experience tells us that if you are in a long-term relationship your best chance for successful long-term recovery as an individual and your best chance for restoration in your relationship comes through working on the process of recovery both together and individually.
That being said, sometimes both people are not yet ready to jump in, or the finances can only support one person in therapy at a time, or there is mistrust that both parties will be treated equally.
If you are not able or ready to come in as a couple and want to come in and begin work yourself individually, please do. We will work with you where you are at and hold the door open for your partner if and when they choose to join you.
How am I going to afford all this?
We understand that treatment is expensive. For a while, treatment will need to become a line item in your budget as you work through the phases of recovery. At CRR we work very hard to keep the costs of treatment as low as possible understanding that it is a lot for an individual or couple to do. Some things that can help with the costs:
- If you have out-of-network benefits you can submit for reimbursement. Our Office Manager Theresa Dinman will work with you and your insurance company to help you get reimbursed. If you get a negative response from your insurance company about a claim you have submitted please call Theresa (571-442-1898) and talk with her about it as she may be able to help you resubmit the claim successfully.
- We have had clients change their insurance plans during open enrollment to increase their out-of-network benefits to help with the costs of treatment. Take advantage of open enrollment to make changes that will help cover costs during the period that you will be in treatment.
- We accept Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account credit cards. Making changes to increase amounts designated to HSAs or FSAs during the course of treatment can also reduce the costs.
- For clients who are significantly struggling financially (single moms with kids and low-wage jobs; unemployed households etc.) we may be able to lower our fees for a portion of treatment. Decisions to slide the fee scale are made on a case by case basis and at the discretion of CRR.
- Take advantage of the workshops offered at CRR. We have created a number of 3.5 hour workshops that provide clients with a ton of information in a short period of time and teach them the different models that will be used with them in individual and group therapy. Attending the workshops is a much faster and less expensive way to learn the information rather than doing it in individual therapy. If you can’t afford to come to a workshop talk to your therapist as occasional scholarships are provided.
I would like to do individual therapy but not group. Can I still participate in treatment?
Group Therapy is the heart of treatment at the Center for Relational Recovery. Research shows that group is the most effective modality for treating addiction. Group provides a laboratory to learn and practice healing the underlying attachment wounds from childhood and developing the ability to connect, engage and be present in relationships with the self and others. We learn the most about ourselves when we are in relationship with others, allowing them to see us and opening ourselves to knowing who they are. Clients of CRR who are being treated for sex addiction or partner trauma are expected to participate in group therapy throughout their time in treatment.
Individual, group and couple’s therapy seems like a lot of therapy! How do these all work together?
We agree! It is a lot of work and a lot of therapy and we are constantly refining our treatment program to try to streamline it and make it as effective as possible. Treatment changes over time and is adjusted as different issues come up. For example, you may be doing individual therapy and then hit a bump where you as a couple need extra support. Therapy would shift and individual work might be put on hold while some couple’s sessions are held and things stabilize again and then individual work would be resumed. Flexibility is the name of the game as we work with you to determine what the best intervention is at each stage of the process.
What if I want to work with you but my spouse wants to work with a therapist outside of CRR?
CRR collaborates with outside treatment professionals on a regular basis. If your spouse/partner is working with an outside therapist, we will ask for appropriate releases to be signed and then we will partner with that therapist to help you and your partner move through recovery. The only time we do not partner with outside therapists is during Disclosure. Our policy is to do Disclosure in house only due to the highly sensitive nature of the process and the rigorous training needed to facilitate Disclosures effectively.
Where Do I Start?
Treatment begins with an intake appointment and then an assessment process.
- Intake Appointment
If you are married or in a long term relationship and your spouse/partner is able to come with you to the intake appointment that is preferred as it allows us to hear the story of what is happening in the relationship from both of you together. If you are single or your partner is unable to come to the appointment that is fine as well. To schedule an intake appointment please call 571-442-1898.
- Assessment
The assessment process usually takes 2-3 appointments. Those struggling with sexually compulsive behaviors will be asked to take an online assessment called the Sexual Dependency Inventory (SDI). The SDI is several instruments combined into one assessment and provides information about:- Levels of compulsivity experienced
- Discriminates between addictive and non-addictive behaviors
- Types of behaviors and elements of one’s arousal template
- Readiness for change
- Impact on various areas of life
- Attachment style in relationships
Along with the SDI, a thorough bio-psycho-social assessment will be conducted and a relational and sexual history gathered.
If you are the partner, you may be asked to take an online assessment called the Inventory for Partner Attachment, Stress and Trauma (IPAST). The IPAST helps us to assess the ways in which your life has been impacted by sex addiction and degrees of severity.
Along with the IPAST, a thorough bio-psycho-social assessment will be conducted and a crisis and risk assessment undergone in order to assess the level of support and intervention needed to manage the current crisis.
- Couples Treatment Review Appointment
After the assessment process is completed with both individuals we bring the couple back together to discuss the results of the assessment process and to review the recommended treatment plan. Confidential information gathered during assessment is not shared, however an overview of the assessment results is discussed and next steps are planned. The couple/individual then makes a decision about whether or not to begin treatment.