Coastal Detox of Southern California
Therapy is the primary method of treating addiction at any reputable rehab facility. San Diego’s Coastal Detox is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care through a curated selection of proven, evidence-based addiction therapies. We integrate science-backed approaches with comprehensive holistic and whole-person wellness support to create a robust foundation for enduring sobriety. Our goal is for patients to leave our care with a new understanding of who they are and who they want to become without drugs or alcohol holding them back.
Ready to start your journey at San Diego’s highest-rated rehab facility? Contact us today to learn more about our personalized treatment programs.
Therapy is the cornerstone of the recovery process during rehab, serving as the essential tool for long-term sobriety. It provides structure, insight, and practical skills necessary to navigate life without substances.
At Coastal Detox, we personalize each patient’s therapy schedule to their individual needs, history, and goals.
Addiction therapy refers to a variety of treatment methods aimed at helping people overcome substance use disorders. Addiction therapy can take many forms, including:
Addiction therapy is especially helpful in treating co-occurring mental health disorders such as ADHD, bipolar, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Therapy is used throughout the treatment and recovery timeline, including:
For many people with addiction, continuing therapy is a life-long commitment that helps them maintain sobriety, prevent relapse, and continue sharpening their recovery skills long after they leave rehab.
Each patient’s individual therapy is centered around evidence-based treatments, meaning approaches that have been proven effective in large-scale clinical studies. Evidence-based therapies are the gold standard in addiction treatment and mental health care.
These foundational therapies are scientifically proven to be effective in treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues:
Trauma and addiction are often deeply intertwined, making trauma therapy a critical component of addiction treatment. Coastal Detox specializes in treating developmental trauma, caused by repeated or sustained trauma during childhood.
People who have experienced trauma often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate against symptoms, including:
Trauma therapy allows rehab patients to move past these symptoms without feeling overwhelmed or turning to substance use to get through episodes.
Addiction is often referred to as a “family disease” because it impacts everyone connected to the person struggling with substance use. Family therapy is essential for healing these systemic wounds and fostering a supportive environment for lasting recovery.
The goal of family or couple’s therapy is to:
At Coastal Detox, we supplement evidence-based talk therapy with a wide range of holistic therapies, including:
Additionally, we offer regular outdoor excursions that take advantage of our scenic San Diego environment. Patients regularly enjoy:
The goal is to get patients to fully appreciate all that a life in sobriety has to offer them, and to learn who they truly are and who they want to become.
Expressive techniques like art and music therapies are especially beneficial, as they often allow patients to open up and express feelings that are difficult to find words for in traditional therapy. Native traditions of breathwork, meditation, and music are another powerful healing tool in addiction rehab.
Coastal Detox integrates the power of traditional talk therapy and holistic practices with advanced clinical tools and pharmaceutical support.
Our treatment plans are frequently supplemented by FDA-approved medications designed to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and treat co-occurring mental health disorders (such as anxiety or depression).
We leverage industry-leading technology to provide clinicians with real-time, objective data on patient progress, medication adherence, and behavioral patterns. This ensures that every patient’s therapeutic journey—from evidence-based practices to experiential activities—is fully supported by data-driven insights, allowing our clinical team to make the most informed, personalized treatment decisions possible.
Coastal Detox of Southern California uses a diverse blend of therapy types, individually tailored to each patient’s treatment plan.All therapy sessions are led by licensed clinicians who specialize in addiction treatment. Collectively, our treatment team has several decades of experience and personal recovery. We offer a safe, judgement free residence because we know what it’s like to be in your shoes.
No matter your drug of choice, reasons for using, co-occurring mental health conditions, or history of relapse, there’s a place for you here. We’ll be here when you’re ready to make a lasting commitment to yourself. Call us any time.
The types of therapy that are most effective for addiction treatment are evidence-based, meaning they are backed by rigorous scientific research, clinical trials, and outcomes data. Therapeutic methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing (MI), are considered the most effective approaches for treating substance use disorders. Trauma therapy and group therapy are also key pillars of effective addiction treatment. The best treatment plans combine multiple therapies to address both addiction and underlying mental health concerns.
At Coastal Detox of Southern California, each patient receives a customized treatment plan that is individually tailored to meet their unique needs. During intake, patients meet with the clinical director to establish the best therapies and care plan to address their drug and/or alcohol abuse, underlying causes of addiction, and any co-occurring mental health disorders.
During a typical therapy session in rehab, patients can expect to discuss both their substance use, the conditions that have led them to abuse drugs and/or alcohol, and their mental and emotional state. This dual diagnosis approach treats addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions simultaneously. Therapy sessions typically last for one hour and are conducted one-on-one with a clinically licensed therapist. Patients can expect to be asked about their substance use history, family history, and their emotional reaction to certain memories, events, or triggers. The therapist will offer tools to help the patient re-frame negative thoughts and challenge harmful beliefs. Therapists will also guide patients through mindfulness routines, gratitude practices, and breathing exercises to overcome strong cravings or emotional reactions to difficult situations. Each therapy session will be different, as addiction treatment therapy includes a variety of methods and is designed to be flexible depending on the patient’s state of mind on any given day. Individual therapy is supplemented by group therapy, where patients can share their experiences in a safe environment and practice the tools and skills they learn in their individual sessions.
Therapy helps people recover from addiction by identifying the root causes of substance use and helping them develop healthier coping mechanisms. In addiction therapy, patients improve their emotional regulation, learn to manage triggers, and practice relapse prevention skills. Therapy also provides the foundation to help patients rebuild relationships, return to work, and develop a sustainable recovery lifestyle. Recovering from addiction is a major life change and encompasses much more than just getting sober. Continuing addiction therapy throughout residential, outpatient, and aftercare treatment provides the practice and repetition needed to turn newly learned skills into a lifetime of stable sobriety.
The primary difference between CBT and DBT for addiction treatment is that CBT focuses on changing the patient’s negative thoughts and behaviors, while DBT focuses on strengthening tolerance of stressful or difficult situations. Put another way, CBT targets the patient’s own thinking and actions, while DBT targets the patient’s reaction to events they cannot control.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a method in which patients are taught to identify when their patterns of thinking and behavior are harmful, unhelpful, or not in line with the reality of a situation. These negative thought patterns often fuel destructive substance use. During CBT therapy, patients learn to replace those negative habits with new, constructive responses that better serve them. CBT is a foundational element of dual diagnosis treatment, as it is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and other mental health and behavioral disorders that frequently co-occur with addiction.
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, emphasizes emotional regulation and distress tolerance during difficult situations. DBT acknowledges that not all aspects of a patient’s life are within their control and teaches them skills to navigate those difficult moments without turning to drugs or alcohol. Skills taught in DBT therapy include mindfulness, breathing techniques to calm the heart rate, and communication skills that strengthen interpersonal effectiveness. DBT helps reduce impulsive behavior and is also beneficial for managing symptoms of ADHD.
At Coastal Detox of Southern California, many patients participate in both CBT and DBT during the course of their residential treatment. Because they take different approaches, one therapy is not necessarily “better” than another. Both CBT and DBT are scientifically proven to promote recovery from addictive behaviors and help patients lead more enriching lives in recovery.
Yes, therapy helps with both addiction and mental health disorders at the same time. This approach is called dual diagnosis treatment and it is the gold standard for treating addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Many people struggling with addiction also have co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, or bipolar disorder. Integrated therapy addresses both conditions simultaneously, improving treatment outcomes.
During residential addiction treatment, patients participate in multiple types of therapy each day, typically adding up to about 8 hours per day on average. This includes a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and relationship counseling, 12-Step meetings, holistic experiences, and expressive therapies. Each day is different, and the exact type of therapies used depends on each patient’s individualized treatment program and the level of clinical support needed.
Trauma therapy is important in addiction recovery because unresolved trauma can reduce patients’ resilience to managing triggers or stressful situations without relapsing to drug or alcohol use. For people who have experienced traumatic events, developmental trauma in their youth, profound grief or persistent stress, learning to process those difficult emotions constructively is essential to recovery. Many people use drugs or alcohol to cope with unresolved trauma. Trauma therapy helps patients process painful experiences, reduce symptoms such as PTSD, anxiety and hypervigilance, and develop healthier coping mechanisms without relying on substances.
Yes, therapy can help with PTSD and substance abuse, especially in a dual diagnosis treatment program for both addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Therapy helps patients understand the connection between PTSD symptoms and substance use while teaching skills to manage triggers, flashbacks, anxiety, and emotional distress. Trauma-informed addiction therapy gives patients a safe environment to share difficult emotions. A licensed clinician works with patients to identify triggers and develop important tools to move through the world without resorting to drugs or alcohol to numb or distract themselves from those feelings.
Developmental trauma refers to repeated or chronic adverse experiences during childhood. This unique type of trauma can impact emotional regulation, relationships, and self-esteem into adulthood. Many people with developmental trauma develop substance use disorders as a way to cope with unresolved emotional pain. Abusing drugs or alcohol can temporarily numb difficult feelings, but ultimately worsens the trauma symptoms and leads to co-occurring addiction. Coastal Detox of Southern California employs a dual-diagnosis approach that helps patients process their developmental trauma while overcoming substance addiction. Our residential treatment offers clinical support alongside medication-assisted treatment to give patients a comprehensive scope of treating all aspects of their mental and behavioral health.
Yes, family therapy helps addiction recovery by improving relational communication and rebuilding trust. Addiction is a disease that impacts the entire family unit, so family therapy during rehab is an important component for the patient and their loved ones. At Coastal Detox, families participate in sessions guided by a licensed clinician. Family members learn to understand the disease of addiction and their role as a support system to support their loved one’s long term recovery. They also learn about potential pitfalls, such as enabling or co-dependent behaviors. During family therapy, all members practice setting (and respecting) healthy boundaries, communicating clearly and directly, and developing routines and schedules that support sobriety.
Yes, couples can attend therapy together during addiction treatment at Coastal Detox. In fact, Coastal Detox is one of the few addiction treatment centers that offer couples detox and residential treatment in which partners can move through detox to rehab together as a unit. In our couples detox program, each person is individually evaluated and receives their own treatment plan based on their personal substance use history, medical health, and any co-occurring mental health conditions. The couple rooms together and regularly participates in couples therapy to strengthen their recovery as a unit. They also receive the same high level of individual and group therapy to support their personal needs.
Couples do not need to attend rehab together in order to participate in couples therapy. The expert clinical team at Coastal Detox hosts couples and family therapy for the loved ones of each of our patients. These sessions are designed to address relationship dynamics, communication challenges, recovery goals, and relapse prevention strategies. They are also an educational opportunity for partners to learn how to support a partner in addiction recovery.
Yes, holistic therapies help with addiction recovery and are widely used across all levels of care in treating substance use disorders. Holistic therapies include a wide range of activities and techniques, including equine therapy, yoga, Reiki, physical exercise, as well as unstructured time in nature. Holistic therapy can also encompass expression-based activities such as art and music therapy, and guided meditations, breathwork, and traditional Native healing rituals.
When delivered as part of a comprehensive residential treatment program, holistic therapies complement evidence-based therapies by reducing stress, improving emotional well-being, promoting physical health, and supporting overall recovery. Learning how to self-soothe and self-regulate is a foundation of successful rehabilitation. Holistic therapies offer a pathway to self-reliance that serves patients long after they leave our care.
Experiential therapies in rehab can refer to any type of therapeutic experience that falls outside of traditional talk therapy. Coastal Detox of Southern California leans heavily on experiential therapies to support our patients physical and emotional health during residential treatment and hopefully find some new sober hobbies and routines to maintain when they transition into aftercare and step back into their daily lives. Coastal Detox uses activities such as art, music, outdoor recreation, equine therapy, mindfulness, and movement-based practices to help patients process emotions and build healthy coping skills.
At Coastal Detox of Southern California, our therapists create an individualized treatment plan based on each patient’s physical and mental health assessment during their initial intake process. This plan is continuously re-evaluated and updated as the patient moves through our detox and residential programs. Therapists assess a patient’s substance use history, mental health needs, trauma history, physical health, family dynamics, and recovery goals to create a personalized treatment approach. They will set small benchmark goals for each week of treatment, and adjust their approach based on the patient’s responsiveness. Addiction therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. An individualized treatment plan that meets the patient’s unique needs is key for maintaining long-term sobriety after rehab.
Yes, patients participate in individual and group therapy throughout their stay in rehab. Coastal Detox offers a comprehensive treatment program that includes evidence-based therapies and clinical support in both individual and group sessions. Individual therapy provides personalized support, while group therapy offers peer connection, accountability, and opportunities to practice recovery skills.
If you don’t feel comfortable talking in therapy, that’s perfectly normal. Addiction is an isolating disease, and opening up to a stranger is difficult, especially if it’s your first time in treatment. At Coastal Detox, our team of experienced therapists are in recovery themselves, so they understand exactly how difficult participating in therapy can be. Treatment may begin gradually and include alternative therapeutic approaches such as art therapy, music therapy, mindfulness practices, or smaller group settings. Our goal is to create an individualized treatment plan that is custom tailored to your unique needs and history. We offer a safe, supportive, and judgement-free environment so you can take your addiction therapy as slow as you need to.
Kay Saffe grew up in Miami, Florida, and is a first-generation American with Argentinian roots. A lifelong athlete and ocean lover, she moved to San Diego to pursue a Master’s degree in counseling at the University of San Diego and progress her surfing. She has spent years working as a surf instructor and therapist, working with local non-profits that treat at-risk individuals and families in English and Spanish. She incorporates a mindful and holistic approach to therapy. She is passionate about positive psychology and helping others through their recovery journey.
