Integrating Psychotherapy and 12 Step Programs

This page is written specifically to individuals and couples in recovery who are considering integrating psychotherapy and 12 step programs.

Millions have recovered from desperate and hopeless situations as a result of their participation in 12 step programs.

Finding a therapist who understands and respects the values of 12 step programs and its principles creates a powerful context to work together from.

In my Boulder psychotherapy practice, some of the central concerns I have observed for individuals in recovery who are considering therapy often sound like...

I really would need to work with a therapist who gets how transformative the 12 Step program has been for me, someone who respects the significance of surrendering your life to a Higher Power.

Another concern that may arise is...

While I would like to see a therapist, I am worried that psychotherapy won't be as helpful as the 12 step programs are for me.

Both are valid concerns.

As the history of AA well attests, psychotherapy and psychiatry had no answers for those suffering from addictions.

Noted in The Language of the Heart: Bill W's Grapevine Writings, and well described by psychiatrist, David R. Hawkins in his book Power vs. Force, it was thanks to the famous psychoanalyst Dr. Carl Jung's humble acknowledgment of the limitations of psychotherapy that the 12 Step programs came to be.

Coming soon - a short article on "spiritus contra spiritum" and Jung's role in AA's emergence.

While complementary, psychotherapy and 12 step programs each have different functions. Therapy is not a replacement for the healing power of 12 Step programs. It can, however, offer a powerful way to deepen one's inner exploration, growth and fulfillment of each of the 12 steps.

Coming soon - A free article on helpful tips and suggestions gleaned from integrating psychotherapy with 12 Step programs, and how you can deepen your understanding and experience of the wisdom of each suggested principle in 12 step programs.

12 Step Meeting Resources

References

Hawkins, David R. 1995 Power Vs. Force: An Anatomy of Consciousness. Sedona, AZ: Veritas Publishing.

Matt Laughlin, MA

Psychotherapist

303-929-3353

My Boulder Psychotherapy Practice is located at:

1634 Walnut Street, Suite 111C

Boulder, CO 80302

Also serving the following Colorado cities and towns:

Arvada, Alma, Aurora, Bennett, Black Hawk, Brighton, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Centennial, Central City, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Commerce City, Dacono, Denver, Englewood, Evergreen, Federal Heights, Firestone, Fort Lupton, Frederick, Georgetown, Glendale, Golden, Greeley, Greenwood Village, Idaho Springs, Kiowa, Lafayette, Lakeside, Lakewood, Larkspur, Littleton, Lone Tree, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Morrison, Mountain View, Niwot, Northglenn, Parker, Sheridan, Superior, Thornton, Westminster and Wheat Ridge.