The Role of Mental Health Therapy in
Dual Diagnosis Recovery

How can mental health therapy help individuals heal from substance addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges? Find out here.

Table of Contents

How Therapy Provides Comprehensive Healing

Mental health plays a vital role in how one goes through life, forms relationships, and finds a sense of purpose.
Untreated mental health challenges can impact every area of a person’s well-being—both emotionally and physically—but mental health therapy provides the structure and support many people need to move forward.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, therapy helps people understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe, non-judgmental setting.1

Therapy is particularly important for those with co-occurring disorders, which is when mental health and substance use conditions happen at the same time.

mental health therapy

Therapy at Longview Recovery

At Longview Recovery, we offer a compassionate and individualized approach to co-occurring mental health therapy.

While we primarily treat substance use disorder (SUD), our New Mexico team knows these challenges often intersect, and we are here to ensure everyone who walks through our doors gets the care they need. Our team works with you to uncover what works – not just what’s standard.

Longview Recovery’s Evidence-Based Services

In our intimate, wilderness-inspired setting, we support healing through:
  • Medical detox and sub-acute detox
  • Inpatient residential care
  • Partial hospitalization program (PHP) 
  • Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
As part of a full continuum of care, our therapy services are evidence-based, open-minded, and deeply rooted in real-life support systems.

What Is Mental Health Therapy?

Mental health therapy offers a way to work through emotional pain, stress, and mental health conditions with the help of a trained professional. It gives people the space to talk openly, learn about their emotions, and build healthier ways to cope with co-occurring disorders.2
Mental health therapy helps people understand how their thoughts and feelings affect their actions. It can be short-term or long-term depending on individual needs.3

How Therapy Supports Mental Health Conditions

People often begin therapy when they’re dealing with strong emotions, stress, or a mental health diagnosis.
Mental health therapy gives people the tools to feel more in control and less overwhelmed. It’s not about “fixing” someone – it’s about working through things together.
Some of the most common issues therapy helps with include:
  • Anxiety: Learning how to manage worry, panic, or fear.
  • Depression: Exploring reasons for sadness and building a path toward healing.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Processing painful memories in a safe space.
  • Grief or Trauma: Working through traumatic events and the symptoms they create.
Many people see real improvements after just a few sessions, especially when therapy is matched to their specific needs.

Building Coping Skills and Strength

Therapy does more than help with symptoms – it also teaches skills that people can use every day, even when they’re not struggling with intense anxiety or depression.
Some coping skills that therapy helps with include:
  • Coping tools for handling stress, anger, or sadness
  • Problem-solving strategies for facing tough choices
  • Mindfulness and breathing exercises to stay grounded
  • Healthier thinking patterns that replace negative self-talk
Over time, these skills help people feel stronger and more able to bounce back from life’s setbacks, which is a key part of long-term mental wellness.

Types of Mental Health Therapy

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. At Longview Recovery, we offer a range of co-occurring mental health therapy options to support each person’s needs.

Whether someone is managing depression, PTSD, anxiety, or navigating life after substance use, our goal is to help them find tools that actually work – inside and outside the therapy room.

Some therapeutic approaches we utilize in treatment include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on changing negative thinking patterns that lead to distress while also helping clients recognize harmful thoughts and shift them to more balanced, helpful ones.

CBT is often used to treat:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • PTSD
  • Substance use disorder
It’s a practical form of mental health therapy that gives people real tools to manage daily stress.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT blends cognitive tools with emotional regulation skills that are especially helpful for people who feel emotions very deeply or struggle with relationships.

Key skills taught in DBT include:
  1. Mindfulness
  2. Distress tolerance
  3. Emotional regulation
  4. Interpersonal effectiveness
DBT is often useful for people dealing with mood swings, self-harm, or intense emotional stress.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

This approach is grounded in understanding how trauma affects the brain and body.
At Longview Recovery, we help individuals feel safe, build trust, and begin to process difficult experiences, whether those occurred due to childhood struggles, relationships, or other traumatic events. This approach can be especially effective for those living with PTSD or complex trauma.4

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a form of mental health therapy where several individuals meet regularly with a therapist to work through challenges together. Hearing different perspectives can be eye-opening for many individuals, and group sessions also help reduce feelings of isolation.

This setting creates space for:
  • Shared experiences and mutual support
  • Learning how others cope with similar struggles
  • Practicing communication and social skills
Group therapy can focus on specific issues like grief, trauma, relapse prevention, or emotional regulation.

Family Therapy

Mental health doesn’t just affect one person – it often affects the entire family. Family therapy is a type of mental health therapy that brings family members together to work through conflict, strengthen bonds, and improve communication.
This therapy is especially useful when mental health or substance use issues have strained relationships, and common goals include:
  • Resolving misunderstandings
  • Creating healthier family roles and routines
  • Reducing stress at home
  • Rebuilding trust after difficult experiences
Family therapists help guide families through learning how to listen, express their feelings, and solve problems without blame or criticism. Healing as a family helps everyone move forward together, not just the individual in treatment.

Holistic Approaches

Healing isn’t just mental – it’s physical and emotional, too. Longview Recovery includes holistic methods as part of our co-occurring mental health therapy approach.
Some holistic options we offer include:
  • Yoga and breathwork
  • Art or music therapy
  • Recreational therapy
  • Meditation
  • Experiential therapy
These practices help clients reconnect with themselves in creative and meaningful ways.

Outdoor Therapy at Longview Recovery

Our locations in Santa Fe and Taos offer nature as part of the healing process. Clients can engage in:
  • Guided hikes
  • Outdoor mindfulness sessions
  • Pontoon rides
  • Nature-based reflection
Outdoor activities support physical movement, reduce stress, and offer quiet moments of clarity. Being in nature also helps people slow down and feel grounded, which are key pieces of any recovery journey.
mental health therapy

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Mental Health Therapy

Mental health therapy looks different for everyone, and choosing the right level of care can make all the difference.

At Longview Recovery, we offer both inpatient and outpatient options to support people at various stages of their healing journey.

Inpatient Mental Health Therapy

Inpatient mental health therapy is the most structured level of care. It provides 24/7 support in a safe, calming environment. This option is ideal for those in crisis or who need help stabilizing before stepping into daily life again.
During inpatient care, individuals receive:
  • Daily one-on-one and group therapy
  • Medication management, if needed
  • Full-time support from clinical and wellness staff
  • A consistent routine focused on healing

Outpatient Mental Health Therapy

Outpatient mental health therapy offers more flexibility and is designed for individuals who are stable enough to live at home or in transitional housing but still need regular support.
This option allows clients to attend therapy sessions during the week while managing work, school, or family responsibilities. It’s a helpful step after inpatient care or for those who don’t need around-the-clock support.

Choosing the Right Level of Care

Choosing the right level of care depends on several factors, such as:
  • Current mental health symptoms
  • Safety and support at home
  • Past treatment experiences
  • Personal goals and motivation
At Longview Recovery, we take the time to understand your needs. Our team will help guide you toward the level of co-occurring mental health therapy that’s right for you – this way, you’re not just getting help, but getting the right help.

Benefits of Mental Health Therapy

Mental health therapy can change lives, both short-term and over time. At Longview Recovery, we’ve seen how therapy can help people regain control, reconnect with others, and build a more hopeful future.
Here’s how:

Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills

Therapy helps individuals understand their emotions and respond in healthier ways. When someone feels anxious, angry, or overwhelmed, therapy offers tools to stay grounded and handle stress without shutting down or lashing out.
With regular sessions, clients learn how to:
  • Pause before reacting
  • Reframe negative thoughts
  • Cope with stress using breathing or grounding exercises
  • Build confidence during setbacks
These skills support long-term stability, especially for those managing anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

Stronger Relationships and Communication

Mental health therapy also improves how people relate to others. Whether someone is working through family tension or rebuilding trust after substance use, therapy creates space to practice healthier communication.
Clients often begin to:
  • Express needs more clearly
  • Set and respect boundaries
  • Listen without defensiveness
  • Repair strained relationships
Healthier relationships make recovery stronger and life more fulfilling.

Relief from Mental Health Symptoms

Many people come to therapy looking for relief from emotional pain. Over time, symptoms like panic, sadness, or trauma triggers can lessen.
Therapy doesn’t erase challenges, but it helps people gain control of how they respond to them. For many, that’s the turning point in their healing journey.

Personal Growth and Long-Term Wellness

Beyond symptom relief, therapy supports personal growth. People gain insight into their past experiences, learn more about their values, and start to live with more intention.
With continued support, mental health therapy becomes part of a long-term wellness plan – not just a response to crisis.

Mental Health Therapy Options in New Mexico

In New Mexico, there’s a growing need for access to quality mental health therapy. Many individuals and families across the state face emotional, behavioral, and trauma-related challenges, yet options for care can sometimes feel limited or hard to reach.
Rural areas, in particular, often lack enough licensed providers or treatment centers. This can delay care for people who need help now – not weeks or months from now.
That’s where Longview Recovery steps in.

Longview Recovery’s Continuum of Care

Our locations in Santa Fe and Taos are designed to feel welcoming and connected to the natural world. Clients have access to traditional, co-occurring mental health therapy as well as outdoor-based practices like hiking, mindfulness walks, and equine therapy.
We believe recovery should feel real, not clinical or cold. By working closely with clients and families, we build care plans that fit everyone who walks through our doors.

Other Support Options

In addition to Longview Recovery, residents can find support through other New Mexico organizations, such as:
No matter where someone is starting, healing is possible. The key is finding the right support and knowing that you don’t have to do it alone.
mental health therapy

How to Get Started with Mental Health Therapy

Taking the first step toward mental health therapy can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been to therapy before. But the process is often simpler – and more empowering – than people expect.

Getting Started at Longview Recovery

At Longview Recovery, we make this process straightforward. When you reach out, our team will walk you through available options and help you decide what level of care fits your needs.
Once we work with you to personalize your care and you schedule your first session, here’s what you can expect:
  • A warm welcome and safe space to talk
  • Questions about your current challenges and goals
  • A chance to ask about the therapist’s approach
  • A plan for moving forward, together

At Longview Recovery, we’re with you at every step. Our team offers traditional and holistic co-occurring mental health therapy that is always grounded in respect, flexibility, and evidence-based care.

Your Journey Begins Here

If you’re struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, reaching out for help is a strong and meaningful step. You don’t have to figure it out alone – support is available, and healing is possible. At Longview Recovery, our team is here to walk with you.
Everyone’s path is different. We take the time to understand yours.

Contact Longview Recovery today to learn more about our therapy services and how we can support your journey toward long-term wellness.

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