Typically during this time of year, we gear up for the famous National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) basketball tournament: March Madness. The tournament this year will take place entirely in Indiana from the dates of March 18 through April 3-5. Players, coaches, and staff will all be routinely tested for coronavirus. There will be no fans present in the stadium, but several options to live stream the games.
We are all excited for the tournament but want to stay relevant to our work: treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. There is a unique tie in here to therapy. Therapy, in some ways, is a lot like the game of basketball.
A Metaphor for Therapy?
This might be a bit of a stretch but consider this. You are the point guard (aka the client) and it’s crunch time on the court (aka in life). Your coach (aka the therapist) has gone over several different plays with you that you have come up with together. However, out on the court, only a semblance of the play applies. You have to call the final shots. So, maybe this analogy makes sense or maybe it’s caught you off guard. Either way, this framework is something to consider when you are trying to decide on therapy. At the end of the day, just like at the end of the game, you still take ownership of your own life.
This March Madness maybe you are just enjoying the tournament for relaxation. On the other hand, maybe you’re struggling with something big and need support. That’s okay too. Think about what type of player you want to be in your game. Be honest with yourself about the relationship you’d like to have with your coach or therapist. And be sure to fill out a bracket!
With March Madness around the corner, there’s a lot of excitement for basketball. There’s a tie-in between basketball and therapy. In both situations, the people on the court make the final decisions and the coaches or therapists have to watch it unfold. At Valiant Living, our men’s-only treatment facility in Denver, Colorado, we are also excited for March Madness. We are equally as excited about your treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental illness. Our expert staff knows how to unwind, but also knows how to prepare you for the challenges that lie ahead. We offer both inpatient and outpatient services. If you are interested in learning more about the services we offer, contact us today at (303) 952-5035.
