13/12/2024
As part of our series on Addiction and Recovery Services in the Trust, today we focus on the important role of our Cognitive Behaviour Therapists Martina Turbett and Sheena McIvor, who provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to service users with substance misuse issues.
Explaining their role, Martina and Sheena said:
“CBT can help our service users identify the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and assist in reaching and maintaining stability in their lives, once the initial substance misuse work has been completed.
“Our clients are referred to the core Alcohol and Drug Service via their GP for help with substance misuse issues and when they have completed an identified piece of work, they can be considered for CBT suitability, to address underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, confidence and OCD.”
Martina covers Tyrone and Fermanagh, whilst Sheena covers Derry/Londonderry and Strabane.
They continued:
“If CBT is deemed a suitable therapy, our service users are then offered approximately 6 to 12 sessions of CBT, sometimes more depending on need.
“It is about working together with our clients to reach achievable and realistic goals. It encourages clients to recognise the impact of negative thinking styles, learn techniques to regulate and manage emotions differently and essentially become their own therapist.
“CBT is very much based on the present moment and what is going on in the client’s daily life, when theya are currently engaging in CBT. This often involves assisting change in the use of safety behaviours for example avoidance or indeed a return to substance use.”
“We see many of our clients find CBT successful. The main aim in engaging in CBT as part of the Alcohol and Drug Service is to support and maintain change, to allow for continued growth and recovery and build in resilience for the future.”