DreamLife provides therapy and treatment services that help all of our clients, along with programs that focus on the unique issues within the LGBTQIA+ community. Utilizing a holistic approach, DreamLife addresses stressors that may have helped contribute to the development of an addiction to drugs and alcohol.  These same issues can also exacerbate mental health symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. Both of these facts make it imperative that we identify and incorporate LGBTQIA+ issues in a treatment plan. Dreamlife addresses issues related to those in the LGBTQIA+ community by tackling a number of areas. We provide individual therapy and specialized group therapy that addresses many needs, including:

• Gender identification issues
• Coming out
• Self-esteem and self-love
• Shame
• Discrimination
• Misgendering
• Internal and external homophobia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Self-acceptance
• Social, environmental, and psychological concerns that can be factors that lead to self-harm behaviors

Support for these issues comes from our treatment professionals and also can involve the client’s loved ones. This includes both family members who are supportive of the person in treatment and the friends who become part of a person’s family, known as the “family of choice”.

Many times a person in the LGBTQIA+ community has spent time feeling alone. Too often a person experiences rejection from their family, friends, and community because of prejudice against them. DreamLife understands the importance of using family therapy to help change family dynamics and bring everyone to a greater place of understanding and empathy.  Our family program can include members of the family of origin, as well as the family of choice. No family member will be invited to attend these sessions without permission from our client. Participating in this therapy allows our clients and their family members to develop improved communication skills and work together to help the loved one stay in recovery. We also offer an option for family members to attend sessions without the client in order to discuss their concerns and process damage done to the family unit by addiction. DreamLife offers the choice to participate in family therapy through virtual options for those who cannot attend in-person sessions.

Trauma can be a major contributor to an individual’s development of mental health issues and addiction to drugs and alcohol. DreamLife provides trauma-Informed care for all of our clients who need it. Our trauma care services allow members of the LQBTQI+ population to address issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that developed because of abuse related to their sexual and gender identity.   Our trauma care program also utilizes Eye Movement and Desensitization  Reprocessing (EMDR), which has been proven to help people manage and lessen their symptoms of trauma. We also employ approaches such as motivational interviewing, learning to set boundaries, and grounding skills. Our clients dealing with trauma often benefit from holistic approaches, including yoga and adventure therapy.

DreamLife understands that aftercare programming proves important for everyone leaving our treatment program. The first year of recovery involves a lot of challenges. Having a strong aftercare plan increases the odds that an individual will stay in recovery.  We want to ensure our LGBTQIA+ clients leave our services with a firm aftercare plan already in place. Our professionals work with each person to understand their specific needs, concerns, and goals. We formulate a plan that sets them up for success and will help them transition into a sober life at home with confidence. Some of the types of aftercare we provide for LGBTQIA+ clients include:

• Options for LGBTQIA+ friendly housing
• Continued treatment that addresses mental health concerns and substance abuse issues with clinicians who specialize in LGBTQIA+ concerns
• Assistance in connections with LGBTQIA+ resources within the client’s community that allows the client to continue to build a sober support system, which helps them enjoy a sense of community and belonging

DreamLife proudly employs members of the LQBTQI+ community, as well as allies of the community, including our clinical, nursing, liaison, and BHT staff. We provide our staff with training that ensures our facility provides a welcoming, affirming, and inclusive environment for all of our clients.  We provide staff members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community in order to achieve our goal to always provide a safe, supportive environment that is free from prejudice. We want our clients to feel free to be open about who they are and what their specific issues are without fear of judgment. 

If you or someone you love is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and needs help addressing your addiction and any accompanying mental health diagnoses, DreamLife can offer the life-changing treatment you need. Our our LGBTQIA+ drug addiction treatment center offers detoxification services, residential treatment, and aftercare plans. Contact us today and we will be happy to answer any questions you have.