Clinically exceptional addiction treatment at home

Each patient participates in an initial psychiatric evaluation with one of our medical team. This session typically lasts 90 minutes and includes a review of physical and psychiatric health. We provide education about various types of medications that might support recovery. This includes a discussion about addiction medications such as (buprenorphine (Suboxone), naltrexone and acamprosate) as well as psychiatric medications that address anxiety, low mood, sleep, and other challenges. If the medical provider and patient agree to incorporate medication into the treatment plan, follow-up medication monitoring appointments will be scheduled. These sessions help us monitor how patients respond to medications and help guide us in adjusting medications as needed.

As part of our evidence-based treatment model, Wholeview supports and encourages the use of medications in the context of addiction treatment. Each patient receives a Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation and Addiction Medication Assessment during the admission process. Our medical team members offer psychoeducation about addiction medications and are available to provide medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and medications for Alcohol Use Disorder (MAUD) when clinically indicated. This may include prescribing and managing medications to help with addiction such as Revia (naltrexone), Suboxone (buprenorphine), or Antabuse (disulfiram.) It may also include medications to treat anxiety, mood, sleep or other symptoms (e.g., Lexapro, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, or Trazadone). For patients who come to us and are already in treatment with a prescribing professional, we are happy to work collaboratively with those providers.

This program is designed for people whose lives have been significantly affected by substance use. These individuals typically benefit from devoting substantial time and effort to building new skills that support their recovery. Patients attend the program three to five days per week for three hours of group therapy per day and attend one individual session per week. Peer support is provided and family or couples therapy may be added if clinically indicated.

All patients participate in individual sessions provided by clinicians who have expertise in treating both substance use disorders and the psychological issues that frequently occur with alcohol and drug use. Some of these include anxiety, low mood, trauma, chronic pain and compulsive behaviors. Our therapists use multiple proven therapies. These may include motivational interviewing (MI), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mentalization based therapy (MBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT.) The clinician will use these to supplement other therapies as appropriate based on the needs of the individual patient such as group or family therapy sessions. For patients already engaged in care outside of Wholeview, our clinicians can coordinate with other care providers including psychiatrists, therapists, nutritionists, recovery coaches and more.

Access our group therapy calendar here Group psychotherapy is a powerful tool that can help people develop skills needed to change negative thought patterns and cognitions. Through group sessions, people benefit from: actively participating in discussions. observing other group members to learn from their experiences. Participating in a group setting can help patients work through various issues, reduce feelings of isolation, and increase optimism. Group psychotherapy is particularly useful in helping people learn new ways to cope with interpersonal challenges and approach relationship issues. Wholeview offers many different types of therapy groups. Some are skills-based, some use cognitive behavioral techniques and others teach strategies to help identify and challenge problematic thought patterns. Some provide support and structure for living a balanced life. Group sessions include up to 15 individuals, occur weekly, and last 60 minutes. Each group is led by a master’s-level clinician who guides discussions and ensures all members are respectful and supportive of one another. Group members are actively encouraged to provide support and feedback to one another. Access our group therapy calendar here

At Wholeview, we utilize emotionally focused therapy (EFT) for couples work. This is a short-term structured approach (8 to 20 sessions), formulated in the early 1980’s by Drs. Sue Johnson and Les Greenberg. EFT utilizes attachment theory to identify and understand what is happening in the couple’s relationship. It focuses on creating a safe place for exploring feelings and being more vulnerable in the relationship. Once a more secure attachment is formed, the focus shifts to addressing problems within the relationship. This can include uncovering, identifying, and addressing unmet needs as well as finding new ways to express needs to each other in ways that lead to fulfillment. Past hurts and injuries are addressed. The goal is for couples to repair and reconcile — and move towards acceptance and peace. Research on the effectiveness of EFT has found that 70-75% of couples move from distress to recovery and approximately 90% show significant improvements in their relationships.

Treatment for family members and supportive loved ones is an important part of a patient’s recovery. At Wholeview, we utilize Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), an approach designed specifically for people concerned about a loved one’s use of alcohol or drugs. Non-confrontational behavioral principles help loved ones become motivated to enter treatment. CRAFT focuses on three areas: positive communication strategies teaching how to set up contingencies to reward the identified patient when he/she/they is doing well while also ignoring negative behaviors and allowing natural consequences of use to occur as much as safely possible self-care techniques for family members These skills and strategies can support loved ones in helping the patient as he/she/they enters and remains in care. It can also bring down the temperature for a family in crisis and reduce stress and anxiety for the entire family. CRAFT leads to reduced conflict and a healthier and more sustainable life for people caring for someone struggling with alcohol or drug use.

Wholeview Direct offers the services of Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPA’s.) These staff draw on both personal experience with substance use and recovery, as well as professional training to provide support during recovery. Peer advocates often help patients develop effective habits and life skills for navigating recovery and may also help patients and loved ones with: non-clinical crisis support, especially after periods of hospitalization or transition education about recovery sharing information about existing social and other support services linking participants to formal recovery supports assisting with insurance and other benefits conducting toxicology tests and providing support related to testing

Opioid overdose prevention training and Narcan kits are available free of charge to Wholeview patients and their family members and friends. We are committed to ensuring that any patient who experiences an overdose has the tools to reverse the overdose. We also provide fentanyl and test strips to help patients avoid using substances that have been contaminated with dangerous substances. These are all provided free of charge.

During the comprehensive psychosocial assessment and periodically during the treatment process, we ask patients to complete standardized questionnaires. These enable us to track progress in multiple areas including mood, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma as well as alcohol and drug use. The information secured from these assessments helps us refine treatment plans to support individual needs over time, thus ensuring the best outcome for each patient.

Once in stable recovery, patients are encouraged to continue to receive support and stay connected to their therapist, to peer support, and to the Wholeview community. In aftercare, patients attend individual sessions once each week initially and taper to once each month while they simultaneously work with our peer supports to build resources and support structures outside of the program. These support structures are often found in outside mutual support groups (SMART Recovery, Recovery Dharma/Refuge Recovery, Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous), athletic teams (e.g., running, volleyball, or softball leagues), participation in hobbies (e.g., book groups, board game meetups, genealogy research groups), religious organizations, or other activities patients find interesting and exciting. Because addiction is a chronic health issue, recurrence can be part of the recovery process. Patients work with therapists to plan for these emergencies in advance so that they are not taken by surprise if they occur. Staying in contact with the Wholeview community can help patients keep minor slips from becoming full relapses.

Several Wholeview clinicians are OASAS-approved providers of clinical screening and assessment services for the New York State Impaired Driver Program. If you have been charged with or convicted of an impaired driving offense (DWI or DUI) and require screening or assessment services, call 212-204-8430 to learn more about our program or to schedule an appointment.