Skip to main content
Virtue Recovery Killeen - Home
Available 24/7
Seeking Safety at Virtue Recovery Killeen
Evidence-Based Therapy

Seeking Safety

Seeking Safety is a present-focused, evidence-based therapy designed specifically for individuals with co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders. At Virtue Recovery Killeen, Seeking Safety is a...

(855) 788-558224/7Available 24/7
Compassionate Care

The Core Benefits for Your Recovery

Address trauma and addiction simultaneously with a safe, present-focused approach

Learn practical coping skills without being required to relive traumatic memories

Build safety in your relationships, thinking, behavior, and emotions

Develop cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal coping strategies

Establish emotional stability as a foundation for deeper trauma work

Proven effective for veterans, survivors, and individuals with complex trauma

Evidence-Based ApproachHow Treatment Works

How Seeking SafetyWorks for Recovery

Seeking Safety was developed by Dr. Lisa Najavits as a manualized treatment for co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders. The therapy is organized around 25 topics grouped into cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal domains. Topics include Safety, Asking for Help, Setting Boundaries in Relationships, Healing from Anger, Taking Good Care of Yourself, and Creating Meaning, among others.

Unlike exposure-based trauma therapies that require clients to recount traumatic experiences in detail, Seeking Safety is present-focused — it does not ask you to revisit or process traumatic memories. Instead, it teaches you the coping skills and safety strategies you need right now to stabilize your life, reduce substance use, and build the emotional foundation necessary for deeper trauma work later if you choose.

At Virtue Recovery Killeen, Seeking Safety is delivered in both individual and group formats. Group sessions follow a consistent structure: a check-in on safety and substance use, a quotation for discussion, presentation of the session topic, practice of a new coping skill, and a check-out reviewing commitments for the coming days. This predictable structure creates safety in the therapeutic process itself.

Your Journey

What to Expect at Virtue Recovery

Here is what your seeking safety experience looks like at our Killeen facility.

When you begin Seeking Safety at Virtue Recovery Killeen, your clinician will assess your trauma history and substance use to determine which topics are most relevant to your recovery. You do not need to disclose the details of your trauma to participate — the therapy meets you where you are.

Sessions are practical and skills-focused. Each session introduces a specific coping skill that you can use immediately. For example, the "Grounding" topic teaches techniques for managing flashbacks and dissociation. The "Red and Green Flags" topic helps you identify safe and unsafe situations. The "COPE" topic provides a structured approach to managing overwhelming emotions. Between sessions, you are encouraged to practice new skills and track your progress. Many clients report that Seeking Safety gives them a sense of control and hope they had lost during active addiction and untreated trauma.

Ready to take the first step?

(855) 788-5582Available 24/7
Is This Right For You?

Who Benefits from
Seeking Safety

Seeking Safety is designed for individuals whose substance use is connected to traumatic experiences — including combat trauma, sexual assault, childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, accidents, and other adverse experiences. It is the ideal starting point for trauma recovery because it does not require you to recount traumatic memories before you are emotionally prepared.

Veterans and service members near Fort Cavazos frequently benefit from Seeking Safety because it provides practical, structured tools for managing trauma responses and substance cravings simultaneously. It is also appropriate for individuals who have avoided trauma treatment because they fear being retraumatized, and for those in early recovery who need to stabilize before engaging in deeper trauma processing.

Integrating Therapy Into Your Journey

Assessment

Comprehensive evaluation to understand your unique needs and goals

Personalized Plan

Custom treatment approach designed specifically for your recovery

Ongoing Progress

Regular check-ins and adjustments to support lasting change

Seeking Safety FAQ

Common questions about seeking safety for addiction treatment at Virtue Recovery Killeen.

What is Seeking Safety therapy?

Seeking Safety is an evidence-based, present-focused therapy designed specifically for people with co-occurring trauma (PTSD) and substance use disorders. Developed by Dr. Lisa Najavits, it teaches practical coping skills across 25 topics without requiring clients to revisit traumatic memories. The therapy focuses on building safety in relationships, thinking, behavior, and emotions as the foundation for recovery.

How is Seeking Safety different from other trauma therapies?

Unlike exposure-based therapies (such as Prolonged Exposure or EMDR) that require clients to recount traumatic memories in detail, Seeking Safety is present-focused and does not ask you to revisit or process trauma. It teaches coping skills you can use immediately to stabilize your life and reduce substance use. This makes it an ideal first step in trauma recovery, especially for individuals who are not yet ready for exposure-based work.

Can Seeking Safety treat PTSD and addiction at the same time?

Yes — that is exactly what Seeking Safety was designed to do. It is one of the only therapies specifically created for co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders. Research shows that Seeking Safety reduces both PTSD symptoms and substance use simultaneously. At Virtue Recovery Killeen, it is a core component of our dual diagnosis and trauma-informed treatment programming.

Is Seeking Safety effective for veterans?

Yes. Seeking Safety has been extensively studied with veteran populations and is recommended by the VA for co-occurring PTSD and substance use. Its structured, skills-based format resonates with service members, and its present-focused approach allows veterans to begin trauma recovery without the pressure of detailed trauma disclosure. Virtue Recovery Killeen near Fort Cavazos serves many veterans using this approach.

Do I have to talk about my trauma in Seeking Safety?

No. One of the key features of Seeking Safety is that you are never required to disclose the details of your traumatic experiences. The therapy is present-focused — it teaches you coping skills for managing trauma reactions and substance cravings right now. If you choose to pursue deeper trauma processing later, Seeking Safety provides the stable foundation needed for that work.

Your Personal Recovery Basecamp.

A 24-bed boutique facility designed for comfort and healing. Every detail thoughtfully considered to support your recovery journey.

Comfortable Rooms
On-Site Gym
Private Bathrooms
Phone Access
Dietitian-Approved Meals
Outdoor Spaces

Your New Beginning
Starts with a Conversation.

We are here to answer your questions and help you understand how seeking safety can be the key to your success.

(855) 788-558224/7Available 24/7

Confidential • 24/7 Support • SAMHSA Recognized