To ensure that our consumers get the best, most effective care possible, Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health Network made a commitment to train even more of our therapists on the latest evidence-based therapies — mental health treatment practices that have been clinically proven to work.

More than 90 percent of our therapists have been trained in one or more evidence-based practices. Evidence-based therapies used at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Family PsychoEducation
• Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing - EDMR - trauma
• Bipolar Education & Skills Training (BEST) - bipolar disorder
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - borderline personality disorder
• Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) - substance abuse and mental illness
• Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT)
• Motivational Interviewing  
• Illness Management and Recovery
• Seeking Safety
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT)

This evidence-based program is for those who struggle with both severe and persistent mental illness as well as a severe substance abuse disorder. Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT) is an intensive program that is used with individuals in our Criminal Justice program as well as those individuals who are high utilizers of services who are not appropriate for our Aquarius substance abuse and mental illness treatment program. IDDT provides clients with insight into their dual diagnosis and behavior using a multidisciplinary approach — with a psychiatrist, nurse, case manager, peer specialist and psychosocial groups—and some of the other evidence-based treatment therapies listed below. Unlike a traditional 12-step program, this program does not require abstinence from substance abuse, although that is the ultimate goal.  It allows for medication assistance to reduce cravings and incorporates both “motivational interviewing” - meeting clients where they are in their readiness to make change.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness characterized by a chronic pattern of instability in emotions, interpersonal relationships, self-image, impulses and behavior. Individuals with borderline personality disorder lack a clear sense of identity and frequently engage in a wide range of self-destructive behaviors. Many of these adults struggle with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, eating disorders and alcohol and drug abuse. They live on a psychological edge that could best be described as an unending emotional roller coaster of extreme highs and lows.

While there is still much to learn about BPD, studies indicate that the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help to improve the quality of life of those with this disorder. Using cognitive and behavioral strategies, the overall goal of DBT is to help individuals acquire the emotional and interpersonal skills they need in order to cope with daily life. It is offered to consumers at ADMHN who meet defined criteria and are able to commit to a 24-week outpatient program that combines both individual and group therapy throughout the treatment process. Each of the master’s level licensed clinicians on our DBT team has received intensive training in the use of this specialized therapy, and the DBT approach is communicated to other clinical teams who may also have contact with these clients.

Bipolar Education and Skills Training – The B.E.S.T. Program

B.E.S.T. Program (Bipolar Education and Skills Training) is a series of weekly classes that teach adults with a confirmed diagnosis of bipolar disorder how to better manage this lifelong illness in order to prevent relapse and the subsequent disruption to their lives that symptoms can bring. The classes are based on current research and cover the major areas that have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and preventing hospitalizations. Topics include the latest information about the disorder; medications; relapse prevention; coping with stress and change; strategies for strengthening relationships; communication and problem solving skills; and how to use thinking skills to manage moods.

Functional Family Therapy

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an intensive intervention program for families with at-risk children ages 10 to 18 who have a wide range of dangerous behavioral problems such as violent acting-out, substance abuse involvement and other serious antisocial behaviors. This highly successful, evidence-based family therapy program can lessen the intense negativity, hopelessness and blaming that families often experience when their child is in crisis and assist both child and family to function more effectively. FFT can take place in the home or in our outpatient therapy clinic. We place a strong emphasis on partnering with each family, operating with the belief that the strengths of families are important to treatment success.