Schema Therapy for Deep Recovery - Elizabeth Lacy, LCSW, PLLC
Nov 28, 2024
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In a thought-provoking conversation, Elizabeth Lacy, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and expert in Schema Therapy, delves into the root causes of addiction. She critiques mainstream treatment models and discusses why they often lead to high relapse rates. Lacy emphasizes the link between unmet developmental needs and addiction, advocating for a holistic approach. Listeners learn how schema therapy can transform maladaptive patterns and foster deep recovery by addressing emotional struggles and cultivating healthier identities.
Schema therapy addresses the root emotional needs underlying addiction, contrasting with traditional treatments that often overlook these deeper issues.
The therapeutic relationship can provide a critical foundation for recovery by establishing a healthy attachment, which is crucial for individuals with addictions.
Deep dives
The Impact of Early Attachments on Addiction
Early attachment experiences play a crucial role in the development of addictive disorders. Individuals with insecure attachment histories often struggle with deep-seated emotional issues that manifest as addiction in adulthood. The therapeutic relationship serves as the potential for the first healthy attachment, which is vital for individuals with addiction issues. However, traditional addiction treatment frequently neglects the significance of these attachment dynamics, resulting in ineffective therapeutic outcomes.
Flaws in Conventional Addiction Treatment
Current addiction treatment practices often focus solely on patient factors, thereby pathologizing the individuals seeking help instead of addressing the effectiveness of the treatment itself. With a staggering 96% of studies emphasizing patient characteristics, this creates a flawed paradigm that overlooks the complexities of addiction as a chronic disorder. Traditional approaches may aim for rapid abstinence within limited time frames, neglecting the myriad factors that contribute to addiction and relapse. This gap in understanding perpetuates high rates of relapse and feelings of failure among patients, which can further entrench their addictive behaviors.
Understanding Schema Therapy's Role
Schema therapy offers a nuanced, developmentally grounded approach to addiction treatment by focusing on the underlying emotional needs that often drive addictive behaviors. The therapy emphasizes recognizing and addressing maladaptive schemas, such as emotional deprivation and social isolation, that frequently coexist with addiction. By strengthening the patient's healthiest adult mode, schema therapy aims to help individuals meet their core developmental needs and cultivate healthier coping strategies. This holistic approach has proven effective in improving treatment retention and fostering genuine healing.
The Importance of Empathic Confrontation
Empathic confrontation stands out as a key therapeutic technique within schema therapy, enabling therapists to compassionately address harmful behaviors while validating the reasons behind them. This approach encourages a deep understanding of the patient’s struggles, juxtaposed with a focus on constructive behavioral change. By confronting the maladaptive coping mechanisms without shaming the individual, therapists facilitate a safe space for exploration and growth. Ultimately, this fosters a collaborative relationship that empowers patients to seek healthier, more fulfilling ways to meet their emotional needs.
Liz Lacy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Trainer, who is widely recognised as a leading authority on applying Schema Therapy in the treatment of addiction. This conversation provides an introduction to the core ideas of this innovative approach, covering things like:
— The flaws in the mainstream model of addiction treatment and why relapse rates are so high
— The relationship between our core developmental needs and addictive processes
— Why we should view an addiction as symptom of a deeper issue
— How schema therapy can offer a highly effective treatment modality.
And more.
You can learn more about Liz's work and upcoming training by going to https://elizabethlacy.com.
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Liz Lacy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Trainer, who is widely recognised as a leading authority on applying Schema Therapy in the treatment of addiction, aside from treating addictive disorders, she also assesses anxiety disorders, couples, and personality disorders in adults and adolescents. Emotional pain can be caused by various reasons, including recent life events, unresolved past events, and biological reasons. Liz’s assessment approach considers all possibilities to develop an effective plan for clients to achieve their life goals.
She is an expert in her field and is focused on helping clients achieve their goals, and she also acknowledges that emotional pain can be caused by various reasons and takes a holistic approach to assessment and treatment.
You can learn more about Liz's work and upcoming training by going to https://elizabethlacy.com.
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Interview Links:
— Liz Lacy’s website - https://elizabethlacy.com
— Schema Therapy Online - https://www.schematherapyonline.com
3 Books Liz Recommends Every Therapist Should Read:
— Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs - Johann Hari - https://amzn.to/3p5b18F
— In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction- Dr Gabor Maté - https://amzn.to/4125SLH
— Schema Therapy: A Practitioner's Guide - Jeffrey E. Young et al. - https://amzn.to/3NytPHu
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