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Behavioral therapy at Simonds Recovery Centers is a group of evidence-based talk therapies that help people change the thoughts and behaviors driving substance use. Delivered at our facility, it includes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy, used across detox, residential, and outpatient care.
What behavioral therapy is
Behavioral therapy is a category of talk therapy that treats addiction by changing the patterns of thinking and behavior that keep substance use going. Rather than focusing on the substance alone, it works on the triggers, beliefs, and habits behind use, and replaces them with skills that support recovery. It is one of the most established approaches in addiction treatment and is supported by research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Behavioral therapy is not a single method. It is a family of related therapies, each suited to different needs, and most treatment plans combine more than one.
The behavioral therapies we use
Our programs draw on several types of behavioral therapy, each with a dedicated focus. Together they address the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to substance use. The table below compares the main types we use, and each links to its own page with more detail.
Types of behavioral therapy we use
| Therapy | Main focus | Best known for |
| Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) | Changing the thoughts and behaviors behind substance use | Identifying triggers, cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention |
| Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) | Managing intense emotions and distress | Distress tolerance, emotion regulation, healthier relationships |
| Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) | Disputing the irrational beliefs behind self-defeating patterns | The ABC model, replacing irrational beliefs with realistic ones |
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) identifies the thoughts that lead to substance use and builds practical skills to respond to triggers differently. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on managing intense emotions, distress tolerance, and healthier relationships. Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) targets the irrational beliefs behind self-defeating patterns and replaces them with realistic ones. Most treatment plans combine more than one, matched to what each person needs.
How behavioral therapy treats addiction
Behavioral therapy treats addiction by working on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. A person learns to recognize the situations and emotions that trigger cravings, then practices specific responses that do not involve substance use.
The work is practical and skills-based. Sessions focus on identifying triggers, restructuring the thinking that drives use, and rehearsing coping strategies that hold up in real situations. Over time, these skills replace the automatic patterns that maintained the addiction, which is what makes the change durable.
Who behavioral therapy helps
Behavioral therapy helps people across the full range of substance use disorders, and it is a core part of treatment for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Because it is adaptable, it works for people early in recovery learning their first coping skills and for those further along addressing the deeper patterns behind use.
It is delivered in both individual and group settings as part of a complete treatment plan, not as a standalone fix.
How behavioral therapy fits into treatment
Behavioral therapy runs throughout the continuum of care at Simonds, from medical detox through residential treatment and into partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP). As the clinical intensity steps down, the therapy continues, so the skills built early are reinforced at every stage.
Pairing behavioral therapy with medical care, and with medication-assisted treatment where appropriate, addresses both the physical and the behavioral sides of addiction together.
Insurance and getting started
Behavioral therapy is part of the treatment programs we provide, and most major insurance plans cover addiction treatment that includes it. We work with carriers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and Humana, among others, and our admissions team confirms your specific benefits before you arrive.
Verifying benefits takes a few minutes and carries no obligation. Submit the insurance verification form or call +1 (833) 781-8338.
Medically reviewed by
Chris Small, M.D. Addiction Psychiatrist. Dr. Small is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Hawaii and completed his residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.
Start treatment that addresses the whole problem
Talk to our admissions team about behavioral therapy as part of your treatment. Call +1 (833) 781-8338 or verify your insurance now.
