In today’s increasingly busy world, it is difficult to make time for ourselves as we would like to. When confronted with psychological issues that need attention, the challenge of scheduling weekly long term therapy may not be an option for our patients, especially those not local to The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction.
We understand this at CITA and have developed a treatment program to address the demanding schedules of our patients and their families called the Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program that offers months and months of therapy in a shortened period of time.
Patients usually opt for the five day (20 hour) IOTP, but Dr. Greenfield has also developed a two day IOTP, that requires the patient to attend ten hours per each day. This program has served high level professionals who have very limited scheduling time due to career demands.
We recommend the five day program for young adults and students, as well as adults. We recommend the two day for adults with high time constraints on their schedules.
WHO DOES INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT HELP?
The accelerated drive/fly-in treatment program is suited for teens, students, and adults. During the Intensive, each participant works on a one-to-one basis with Dr. David Greenfield to address their compulsive and addictive behaviors.
The IOTP serves patients dealing with any number of issues included but not limited to:
Technology Compulsion, Abuse, Addiction
Relationship Issues including infidelity or issues stemming from the other categories here
Online Porn Compulsion, Abuse, Addiction
We often recommend close family involvement with parents, spouses’ or significant others, as we recognize the involvement and impact an addiction can have on your family and intimate relationships.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Using both established psychotherapy models and cutting-edge treatment protocols such as EMDR and IMAGO Therapy, the purpose of the program is to assist in accelerated rehabilitation and recovery.
A sample of an IOTP session would involve the following (this one is based on Technology Addiction)
- Assess/diagnose use and specifically review computer and internet use patterns.
- Establish an overall analysis of virtual addictions (computer and internet) behavior.
- Evaluate psychosocial, educational and medical history.
- Address underlying and concomitant psychological and psychiatric issues that might be contributing to the addiction cycle, e.g. ADD/ADHD.
- Evaluation of other addictive and compulsive behavior patterns, e.g. substances, alcohol, food, gambling, shopping, pornography, etc.
- Assessment
- Understand established emotional and physical triggers for use and abuse found in the addictive pattern.
- Assessment of guilt and shame repetition patterns in the addiction cycle.
- Address the negative social, educational and interpersonal consequences of technology addiction.
- Insight/Therapy
- Develop an understanding of the basic hormonal and neurochemical contributions to addiction and pleasure seeking behavior; learn how the Amygdala in the brain and the neurotransmitter dopamine operate to facilitate this addictive cycle.
- Understand the role of stress as a trigger and how elevated levels of the neurohormone cortisol can increase addictive behavior.
- Develop an understanding of the neurobiology of addiction in order to create changes in the deep patterns of behavior and neural habits through the use of EMDR® technology.
- Re-train the cycle of urges and cravings. Learn how to manage emotional disequilibrium and re-gain homeostasis (balance) without the internet. Learn to manage emotions and metabolize triggers such as boredom, anxiety, fear, frustrations, ease–of-access, peer pressure, feelings of accomplishment and mastery, anger, family discord and ADD/ADHD issues.
- Desensitize trigger response patterns using various psychological, physiological and EMDR® strategies.
- Examine and understand how psychobiological factors (operant conditioning and dopamine) impact computer and internet addiction and how to manage, limit and control the impact of desire and use patterns.
- Learn concepts of people, places and things and a deeper understanding of unconscious trigger patterns and how to changes those patterns that feed the addictive cycle.
- Promote/Support
- Identify community resources and supports; include various 12-step and other support options; options for professional follow-up and therapy.
- Develop a relapse prevention plan and develop support strategies and crisis techniques to prevent or address relapse.
- Address and develop plans for impacted social, vocational and marital/family relationships.
- Develop computer/smartphone and other technology blocks/filters/monitors to help limit access to computer and internet use.
- The use of the Real-Time 100 list: you identity 100 non-tech things you can do and attempt to try as many as possible during or after the treatment program.
- Learn to develop healthy conscious attitude toward self, family and social relationships.
WHERE IS THE IOTP HELD?
All treatment sessions are held in the office suites of The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction located at 8 Lowell Road, West Hartford, CT. The setting is comfortable and private. We are not an inpatient treatment or medical facility, so do not offer beds to our patients. CITA is located in beautiful West Hartford, Connecticut. Patients flying or driving in from out of state can stay at any number of lovely accommodations in the West Hartford or Hartford area. Hartford’s Bradley Airport serves as a hub for our fly-in patients. Our Director (email Office@Virtual-Addiction.com) will be happy to assist with accommodation recommendations or area information upon request.
WHEN CAN WE SCHEDULE OUR IOTP?
Dr. Greenfield works with patients and their families on an individual basis and can schedule you according to your needs. Most patients come for a Monday through Friday five day intensive, spending four to 6 hours a day in session with the Doctor. When dealing with students, usually the family will schedule during a school break or over the summer. However, in crisis situations, Dr. Greenfield can schedule a week that serves the family best.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER TREATMENT?
There will be a follow up program scheduled via in-office, phone, and/ or skype session based on patient’s needs to monitor progress once patient has completed IOTP.
IS INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT COVERED BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER?
The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction does not accept any form of insurance currently and is considered an Out of Network Provider. It is important to discuss with your carrier if there are any benefits you can expect when dealing with an OON provider. Also, you may be required to obtain authorization for submitting statements for OON. Please contact our office at 860-561-8727 for further information regarding billing.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
All program participation requires an initial in-person or telephone with Dr. David Greenfield. After an initial consultation is completed, and it is determined that the program is a good fit for you or your family member, a program date could be selected and reserved. A program packet and patient paperwork will be emailed or mailed to you for submission before program begins.
To secure reservation, all program fees are due upon reservation.
Should you decide to opt out of the program before it begins, there is a structure for reimbursement that Dr. Greenfield will explain to you.
If you feel intensive outpatient treatment might be an excellent choice for you or your family’s path to recovery, please contact Dr. Greenfield 860-561-8727 or email at Office@virtual-addiction.com.
The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction appreciates your interest in our work here. It is our core mission to serve our patients with the highest standards of psychological practice and the utmost care and concern for their privacy and personalized treatment needs.
