Healing from mental health disorders, trauma, and other difficulties require learning or re-learning everyday skills. We help clients develop social skills and effective coping skills they can use to deal with stress, tension, and pressures. When you begin with treatment at a dual diagnosis treatment center, coping skills training can help teach what you need once you leave treatment. As they learn these skills, they can begin to implement them during other areas of their treatment. This can include speaking with their therapist during their individual therapy program. It can also mean becoming more active during group therapy.

What Are Social Skills?

Social skills are defined as the ability to communicate freely and openly with others, to exchange ideas, conversation, and pleasantries with friends, peers, co-workers and new acquaintances. When a client experiences devastation by experiences in life, their ability to communicate effectively is compromised. This can come from physical violence, trauma, stress disorders, anxiety, depression or substance abuse. They no longer trust or have faith in others. They also no longer feel the desire or ability to say what’s on their mind. Social skills training takes place in a supportive environment where everyone is valued and appreciated. There are no judgments or harsh criticisms. We empower clients in social skills training to learn the art of conversation. Clients also learn to be comfortable to be with others in a social setting.

What Are Coping Skills?

Clients need effective ways of dealing with stressors so that they won’t relapse or feel disappointed in their ability to navigate everyday life. We teach coping skills that clients can practice, become comfortable using, and rely upon when they return home. Coping skills are part of the healing client’s recovery toolbox. Each person will likely use several coping skills. We encourage clients to add new skills that prove effective, to combine these with tried-and-true skills, and to feel comfortable using all of them. Common ways coping skills can be developed include:

• Participating in support groups
• Practicing relaxation techniques
• Working with a sponsor
• Practicing mindfulness or other meditation techniques
• Keeping a journal
• Attending therapy sessions
• Exercising to release tension and stress
• Recognizing the triggers of relapse, such as hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness, and having strategies in place to effectively deal with them

Coping Skills Training at Promises Treatment Centers

Whether you’re struggling with your mental health or you’re struggling with addiction, coping skills training is an essential component to your treatment plan. At Promises Treatment Centers, we create treatment plans that implement a range of therapies and services to help each client achieve their goals of lasting recovery. When you or a loved one is ready to begin with treatment, contact Promises Treatment Centers at 1.713.528.3709.