Phoenix House staff utilize the cognitive therapy approach during group therapy, as well as in one-on-one therapy.  The focus of cognitive therapy is to provide an insight focused therapy that emphasizes recognizing and changing negative thoughts and maladaptive beliefs.  Phoenix House staff members believe that there should be genuine warmth, accurate empathy, nonjudgmental acceptance, and an establishment of trust and rapport in the therapeutic relationship.  This focus fosters a caring environment that assists consumers to become honest, which ultimately is the foundation of recovery.  Through cognitive therapy, consumers gain an awareness of where their desire to use substances comes from, the consequences that they are experiencing, and alternatives to this lifestyle.

Phoenix House residential staff utilize rational emotive behavior therapy, during group and one on one individual sessions, to challenge self-defeating behaviors that are prevalent in substance abusing individuals.  Rational emotive behavior therapy provides a framework to examine self-talk and examines the consequences of rational or irrational thinking.  By helping clients recognize that their feelings are a direct result of their thinking, clients can take responsibility for the way they feel, therefore, the way they act. Ultimately, the client’s belief system changes about how they view themselves and the world around them.

Phoenix House residential staff use the 12-step model as a guideline for sober living. The 12-steps provide a frame work that assists consumers to learn how to maintain sober living by following the steps. Frequent reference to the 12-steps occurs during group and individual therapy, while emphasis is placed on the 12-steps during educational groups. Consumers are also introduced to self-help meetings by attending Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings while being in the program to help them build a foundation of support. Note: Phoenix House staff do not promote the 12-step program as being the only self-help support group that works for substance abusers but also accepts the validity of other support groups and encourages consumers to find the support group that works for them.

Phoenix House residential staff use the Johari’s Window concept for group interaction. The concept was created by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955.  Johari's Window is a technique used to help people better understand their relationship with themselves and others. It is a simple and useful tool for illustrating and improving self-awareness, personal development, and improving communication between individuals within a group setting. Johari's Window helps individuals to be more open in the areas of processing and receiving feedback as well as helping people understand more about themselves.