Freedom Institute
Overview
Freedom Institute, a nonprofit based in New York City, offers outpatient treatment and recovery services for individuals grappling with alcoholism, addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders. Established in 1976 by a recovering alcoholic who recognized the impact of her own illness on her family, Freedom Institute provides evidence-based and holistic approaches to addiction treatment. Services are available both in-person and via telehealth, ensuring flexibility in meeting clients’ needs.
Their comprehensive care is designed for adults, young adults, and families affected by substance abuse, addressing dependencies on alcohol, stimulants, hallucinogens, opioids, and other substances. Treatment programs include an intensive outpatient program (IOP), weekly outpatient groups, as well as individual, group, and family therapy sessions. The center's treatment philosophy integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Relational Family Therapy, both aimed at helping individuals and their families navigate the recovery process. This unique combination, alongside their renowned Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP), forms the clinical foundation of their services, making Freedom Institute’s approach both innovative and highly effective.
Freedom Institute emphasizes holistic care, offering complementary therapies such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and art therapy to treat the whole person and their support network. The individualized treatment plans cater to each client’s specific needs, whether through medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is available upon assessment, or through peer-based support programs that foster community and long-term recovery.
Freedom Institute’s IOP is particularly notable for its focus on skill development in areas such as emotion regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. This structured yet flexible program is customized based on a thorough assessment of each individual's situation, ensuring that treatment aligns with their unique clinical needs and long-term goals. The IHRP model, developed by Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, allows for a compassionate, collaborative approach to recovery, accepting all positive changes, whether they involve abstinence or harm reduction. This model integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relational psychoanalysis, and mindfulness, offering patients a spectrum of strategies to address their substance use and the personal issues that often accompany it.
Freedom Institute also extends its care beyond the IOP through its Sustaining Recovery aftercare services, which incorporate DBT and Relational Family Therapy to ensure ongoing support for individuals seeking long-term sobriety. These aftercare services are designed to help clients maintain stability, focusing on personal development, relationship building, and professional growth. Each client’s journey through recovery is supported by a tailored combination of therapeutic and practical services, ensuring they are equipped to thrive in their new sober life.
Freedom Institute at a Glance
Payment Options
- Cash or self-payment
- Sliding fee scale (fee is based on income and other factors)
- Private health insurance
- Self-pay options
- Aetna
Assessments
- Comprehensive mental health assessment
- Comprehensive substance use assessment
Age Groups
- Adults
- Children/adolescents
- Young adults
- Adolescents
- Seniors
Operation
- Private non-profit organization
Accreditations
NAATP:
Established in 1978, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) is a professional organization dedicated to advocating for and representing entities involved in addiction services. NAATP is committed to advancing the field of addiction services and ensuring that top-tier addiction treatment remains both accessible and widely available.
SAMHSA certification for opioid treatment program (OTP):
Accreditation by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) signifies that a program has met strict standards for providing high-quality care to individuals with opioid use disorders. It assures patients, families, and communities that the OTP follows evidence-based practices, employs qualified staff and maintains a safe and effective treatment environment. This accreditation reflects the program's commitment to addressing the opioid epidemic and promoting recovery.
State department of health:
Government agencies issue State Licenses, granting rehabilitation organizations permission to operate their businesses legally within specific geographic regions. The licenses needed for legal operation are typically determined by the type of rehabilitation program offered by a facility and its physical location.
Registration: 38259
Treatment At Freedom Institute
Conditions Treated
Mental health treatment:
Mental health treatment involves various therapies and support services provided by licensed professionals to address mental health issues. These interventions, which can include therapy, medication, and holistic approaches, aim to enhance well-being, improve coping, and empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives. It's personalized, comprehensive care for mental health challenges.
Alcoholism:
Alcohol addiction is a health problem where drinking takes control over a person's life. It affects how their brain thinks and acts, leading to strong desires to drink, bad feelings, sudden actions, and discomfort when not drinking. To help someone with this problem, there are treatments like detox, counseling, group support, and learning coping methods. While treatment can't completely cure the urge to drink, it helps people regain control of their lives and feel better overall.
Opioid Addiction:
Opioid rehabilitation centers are dedicated to assisting individuals on the path to recovery from opioid addiction. They provide specialized care for those struggling with addiction to substances like heroin and prescription opioids such as oxycodone. These facilities offer a comprehensive approach, including medical detoxification, ongoing medical assistance (including medication-based treatment), and therapeutic support to address the root causes of addiction.
Substance use treatment:
Substance use rehabilitation embodies a holistic treatment approach crafted to assist individuals contending with drug or alcohol addiction. This all-encompassing rehabilitation strategy encompasses two crucial components: initially addressing the physical dependency, frequently commencing with detoxification, and subsequently confronting the psychological triggers through a diverse array of therapeutic methods. The overarching objective is to empower individuals to achieve and maintain sobriety while equipping them with essential skills and coping mechanisms for a successful reintegration into society and a life free from substance abuse.
Co-occurring Disorders:
Dual-diagnosis rehabilitation centers usually offer the most suitable approach for addressing concurrent mental health and substance abuse conditions. Within these facilities, a team of medical and behavioral professionals is typically assembled, employing diverse interventions and cultivating an optimal therapeutic environment to enable you to attain and maintain lasting recovery. The treatment regimen often encompasses evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, complemented by recovery support gatherings, 12-step program facilitation, skills development, and group therapy.
Levels Of Care
Intensive outpatient treatment:
Intensive Outpatient (IOP) is a specialized level of care aimed at assisting those on their recovery journey from addictions or mental health disorders. Unlike the inpatient or residential treatments where attendees reside within the facility, IOP offers a robust therapeutic experience while enabling participants to stay home and continue their daily routines. Generally, individuals in IOP engage in several sessions weekly, clocking in at around 9-20 hours or even more. These sessions encompass individual counseling, group sessions, familial guidance, and instructional classes that equip attendees with the tools and methods to manage symptoms and avert relapses.
Detoxification:
Detoxification, often just called "detox", is like giving the body a deep clean from harmful substances like drugs or alcohol. When someone decides to stop using these substances, their body might react with tough symptoms. Detox helps to handle these reactions safely. Think of it as helping the body reset after too much exposure to harmful stuff.
Aftercare:
Finishing a drug or alcohol rehab program is just the beginning of the recovery journey. Aftercare focuses on establishing a long-term recovery plan, which encompasses continuous support. This might involve options such as residing in sober living homes or halfway houses, receiving career guidance, and connecting the individual with community support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Outpatient:
Outpatient treatment at rehab centers provides adaptable therapy schedules, usually spanning 1-3 hours weekly, enabling participants to maintain their everyday routines while undergoing treatment. On the other hand, intensive outpatient programs require a more dedicated time investment, frequently around 9-15 hours a week, delivering a deeper therapeutic experience without the commitment of inpatient residency.
Outpatient detoxification:
Outpatient Detoxification is a medical procedure designed for individuals dealing with substance dependence. It involves a carefully managed and supervised withdrawal from these substances, all without the need for hospitalization or inpatient care. This approach empowers patients to undergo detox from drugs or alcohol within a less confining setting, permitting them to sustain their regular daily obligations such as work or family responsibilities. Comprehensive monitoring, medication administration, counseling, and supportive measures are provided to effectively manage withdrawal symptoms and minimize potential complications.
Treatment Modalities
12-step facilitation:
12-Step Facilitation is a structured approach to recovery used in many rehab facilities. It's rooted in the principles and practices of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step program. The facilitation process promotes abstinence and supports individuals in becoming actively involved in 12-step self-help groups. The approach emphasizes personal responsibility, spiritual growth, and the importance of peer support to maintain sobriety and prevent relapse. By guiding individuals through each step, 12-step Facilitation aids participants in understanding the underlying causes of their addiction, seeking amends, and fostering a commitment to lifelong recovery.
Family counseling:
Family Counseling is a therapeutic service that addresses and resolves conflicts, improves communication, and fosters better relationships within a family unit. Through guided discussions, a trained counselor helps family members gain insight into their dynamics, learn coping strategies, and work towards creating a harmonious living environment. Family Counseling can be a significant step towards improving the overall emotional health and interactions among family members, helping them navigate challenges together in a supportive and constructive manner.
Group counseling:
Group Therapy is a therapeutic space where individuals battling addiction come together to share experiences, gain insights, and support one another on their journey to recovery. Facilitated by trained professionals, this setting fosters communal healing and empowers participants to overcome the challenges of addiction through collective strength and understanding.
Individual psychotherapy:
Individual Psychotherapy provides a private, one-on-one setting where clients can explore and address their personal challenges, behaviors, and feelings related to addiction and recovery. With the guidance of a trained therapist, clients work to uncover the root causes of their substance use, develop coping strategies, and build a foundation for long-term recovery and personal growth.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a evidence-based psychological treatment that focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors. It aims to develop coping strategies and promote healthier thinking to address a variety of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. CBT is typically short-term and goal-oriented, emphasizing the role of thought processes in influencing emotions and behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral therapeutic approach primarily to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder. It combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques with distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindfulness concepts. DBT emphasizes the balance between accepting and changing behaviors, aiming to help patients build life skills, regulate emotions, and improve interpersonal relationships. It has since been adapted for and shown effectiveness in treating a variety of other mental health conditions.
Creative Arts Therapy:
Creative Arts Therapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates various forms of artistic expression—including visual arts, music, dance, drama, and poetry—to promote emotional, mental, and physical well-being. By engaging in the creative process, individuals are given an outlet to communicate, process, and resolve complex emotions, traumas, and challenges in a non-verbal and transformative manner. Therapists in this field are trained professionals who facilitate healing and personal growth through the power of artistic mediums.
Motivational Interviewing:
Motivational Interviewing (MI) in addiction treatment is a client-centered counseling approach designed to enhance an individual's intrinsic motivation to change. By addressing ambivalence and tapping into personal values, MI fosters meaningful conversations about substance use and promotes commitment to recovery-focused goals.
Marital/couples counseling:
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Trauma-related counseling:
Trauma-related counseling is a specialized form of therapeutic intervention aimed at assisting individuals who have experienced distressing, life-altering events. This approach focuses on helping clients process their traumatic experiences, develop coping mechanisms, and rebuild a sense of safety and trust. Counselors trained in trauma therapy use evidence-based techniques to support healing and resilience, ensuring survivors can move forward and lead fulfilling lives despite their past adversities.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy:
EMDR is a therapy method initially designed to address trauma. During an EMDR session, patients engage in eye movements reminiscent of REM sleep, either by following a therapist's moving finger or tracking a light bar. These repetitive eye movements aim to aid the brain in reprocessing memories, potentially diminishing the severity of traumatic recollections. As a result, related memories may also heal, leading patients to feel notably more at ease, balanced, and emotionally composed.
Intervention Services:
"Intervention" refers to a deliberate action or set of actions taken to directly address and alter a specific situation or behavior. Often used in contexts like medicine, psychology, and social work, interventions are designed to prompt positive change, whether it's to prevent harm, improve health, or enhance the quality of life. They can range from medical procedures to address health issues, to structured meetings aimed at helping individuals combat addiction or destructive behaviors.
Couples/family therapy:
Couples Therapy during rehab is a specialized counseling program designed to support couples who are navigating the challenges of addiction recovery together. This form of therapy provides a safe and structured environment where couples can address the impact of substance abuse on their relationship and work towards healing and growth as a team. By addressing both individual and shared issues, couples in rehab can strengthen their bond and increase their chances of sustained recovery, fostering a healthier and happier future together.
Experiential Therapy:
Experiential therapy is a therapeutic approach that encourages patients to identify and address hidden or subconscious issues through activities, interactions, and role-playing. Instead of focusing solely on talking, therapists use experiential techniques to help clients relive past traumas, express emotions, and gain insights into their behaviors. The aim is to foster personal growth and enhance self-awareness by immersing individuals in experiences that can lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.
Life Skills:
Life skills training encompasses essential skills for individuals to navigate daily challenges successfully. This training includes time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication, which are crucial for holistic addiction recovery. By mastering these skills, individuals are not only able to live substance-free but also thrive. Life skills training thus provides the practical tools for functional living in society, setting clients on a path toward lasting sobriety and success in life.
Ancillary Services
Languages
- Spanish
Special Programs
- Clients who have experienced trauma
Contact Information
DISCLAIMER: The facility name, logo and brand are the property and registered trademarks of Freedom Institute, and are being used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, logos and brands shall not imply endorsement. BetterAddictionCare.com is not affiliated with or sponsored by Freedom Institute.
