We Effectively Treat Dual Diagnosis

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Dual Diagnosis & Treatment

Dual Diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) is defined as someone who suffers from mental illness (depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc.) and substance use disorder (like drug or alcohol dependency) at the same time. These two separate diagnoses come with their unique battles that demand diligence on their own. When they wage war together and occur at the same time, they create a more complex set of problems and issues because they may mask as one or the other and not as a hybrid and distinct result of each. This frequently leads to misdiagnosis and improper treatment because each is often identified and treated individually and not recognized as working together in concert as well as combat. The back-and-forth game between these two conflicting afflictions creates a vicious cycle of misdiagnosis where inadequate and ineffectual treatment can lead to a long road of frustration. As a whole, together, Dual Diagnosis reveals an entirely different landscape consisting of multiple layers that require skilled understanding and a finely tuned, integrated treatment approach to achieve balanced, effective results.

For example, while depression and substance use disorder present individual challenges for stand-alone treatment, they often go unnoticed together as being a single yet combined-unit illness that can and must be treated as one. These delays exacerbate the cycle and magnify the individual issues, thereby causing the collective whole to be unrecognized. As it continues to fly under the radar and go untreated, the cycle continues. Clinicians who treat these issues separately waste valuable time when they overlook or miss this elusive target. Dual Diagnosis must be treated as a whole puzzle and not as two isolated or independent pieces.

We’ve been treating dual diagnosis for twenty years.

There is no hard, fast rule as to whether a mental illness like depression leads to substance misuse or if substance use disorder leads to mental illness to trigger Dual Diagnosis. Co-occurring disorders are intertwined and require a highly trained professional who knows how to properly diagnose this condition. It also demands an equally qualified clinician to treat it successfully. With the sharp rise in cases of Dual Diagnosis and the prevalence of it showing no signs of abating, Dual Diagnosis is recognized as a significant issue in the world of addiction and mental health treatment, but it is still in its infancy when it comes to being understood and addressed. 1 Method has been at the forefront in diagnosis and treatment for co-occurring disorders. Our treatment approach is so highly specialized that we’ve been heralded as the leading licensed dual diagnosis treatment center and privately-held therapeutic environment in Southern California. We know how to help you achieve a full recovery so you can lead a productive, fulfilling life.

We recognized early (two decades ago) that Dual Diagnosis is not only very specific but specific to each individual. We know that your life depends on the best treatment outcome possible. Using an integrative clinical model we customize individually tailored plans to help turn lives around. With the correct diagnosis and proper treatment, you can move forward. We don’t stand still and neither should you. Learn more about the 1 Method Difference.

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Brooke Gilbertsen

Brooke Gilbertsen

Dr. Brooke Gilbertsen is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working in the field of mental health since 2011 and specifically co-occurring disorders since 2013. Brooke brings her knowledge, experience, and compassion to support clients and their loved ones on their journey toward recovery, health, and holistic healing. Brooke has experience working with a wide range of diagnoses from severe mental illness and personality disorders to depression and anxiety, and believes the underlying cause must be treated in order for freedom from addiction to occur. Brooke treats the whole person, considering mental health diagnoses, genetics, neuropsychology, the context of the family and environment, social relationships, trauma and loss, vulnerability, shame, and self-worth. Brooke applies a wide range of evidenced-based modalities, incorporating mindfulness, spirituality, and psychodynamic approaches to assist clients in the healing process. Brooke is passionate about helping her patients discover the best version of themselves, with a renewed sense of freedom, purpose, and meaning. The model is to build a life that you want to show up to, and don’t need a vacation from.

Brooke completed her B.A. in Psychology in 2008 from San Diego State University. She obtained her M.A. Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2013 from Argosy University, and received her Doctorate in Psychology in 2016 from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is the author of The Impact of Mindfulness on the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients, published in 2017. Brooke has been the keynote speaker for lectures on addiction, and is passionate about helping others find their way as they take the courageous journey toward self-growth.