Addiction

Addiction is when you have a need or urge to do something or use something that can interfere with your functioning in other areas of your life. What are the signs of addiction? -craving and fixation -not being able to stop -secrecy or denial -loss of control over the use or behaviour -increased or excessive use -withdrawal symptoms -sacrificing other commitments so you can continue your addiction -continuing addiction in spite of negative consequences.

In my approach to addiction therapy, I emphasize harm reduction as a compassionate and practical strategy for fostering change. I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients develop emotional regulation skills and improve interpersonal relationships. Recognizing the interplay between trauma and anxiety, I create a safe space for individuals to explore their experiences and motivations. Additionally, I integrate elements of spiritual healing to support clients in finding hope.

I am in long term recovery for addiction, & have been actively involved in recovery communities for over twenty years. This has involved a lot of mentoring & working with folks who struggle with addiction. Unfortunately there are many clinicians who are not comfortable working with folks who struggle with this issue, so it's necessary to have clinicians who have compassion, respect, experience, & who will not stigmatize it, or judge & shame folks around this struggle.

I have worked in the substance abuse field since 2007. I have worked with clients from acute inpatient treatment through sober living and aftercare

I specialize in Addictive Disorders at Antioch University and I approach each case by integrating different therapeutic modalities utilizing a harm reduction model. My main frameworks include IFS (Internal Family Systems) parts work, trauma-informed attachment theory, psychodynamic exploration, DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Polyvagal Theory, and the insights of Gabor Maté, among others, to provide a comprehensive and compassionate level of care.

Sometimes the use of alcohol or other drugs gets in the way of desired or necessary activities and important relationships. I've worked in a variety of treatment facilities aimed at helping people change their drinking or drug use and view addictive behaviors more as a symptom than stand-alone issue. We would work together to understand what maintains this behavior and create a personalized plan to shift away from harmful levels of use.

Dealing with any addiction can be made easier with support. Whether you are looking to cut down or completely stop drinking or smoking marijuana, or whether you struggle with a substance or behavioral addiction, I am here to support you. Perhaps you have dealt with trauma or challenging life circumstances - either way, your addiction will make sense and we can work together to deal with the cause, making stopping or reducing much easier!

"The mind is a beautiful master, but a lousy servant." Ultimately the human mind (which we all have and experience) is the root cause of our attachments or addictions in life. How to learn for to peaceful detach to that addiction or attachment is the big question, but everyone has that answer inside them if they are willing to look. Through mindfulness, 12-step teaching, relapse prevention skills, and other therapy modalities, I teach out how to create and use a toolbox of coping skills.

Looking at addiction from a trauma-informed lens can help take away the shame and create lasting changes from a place of love and compassion.

You don't ever have to drink or use again. If you're ready to heal, you can do it, and I can help. If you're NOT ready to heal, I get it, and I'll still be on your side. My own experiences with addiction and recovery have equipped me with more tools to help others than my master's degree ever could. I'm ready when you are.

I worked as an addiction counselor for 2 years. I believe in a biopsychosocial-spiritual model of care and utilize Motivational Interviewing to aid clients in their recovery. Additionally, I utilize the Seeking Safety model to aid in psychoeducation.

When we put down our addictions we are left with the insecure and vulnerable feelings we were trying to avoid. Though most associate addiction solely with substance, I challenge my clients to expand their concept to include multiple dimensions and spectrums. Phones, relationships, and avoidance are also addictive and vary in intensity. I offer a compassionate space to unpack those experiences and the emotions that have been pushed aside by process and substance addictions.

I offer comprehensive addiction treatment. I will help you take a look at your substance use and help make an effective plan at addressing current issues related to your use and underlying issues complicating your issue.

I began doing work in substance use and addictions in graduate school and have continued to this day. I was the Team Lead of the integrative dual-diagnosis harm-reduction oriented Substance Abuse Treatment Program at the Austin Veterans Administration for 20 years. My speciality is in the recovery process for individuals who's substance use/addictive behavior is tied to significant sources of life trauma/hardship (such as minority stress) and/or other mental health conditions.

I see addiction as a disease of the nervous system. Like any disease, nobody chooses it: it chooses us. What we can choose is to overcome it. It is usually a maladaptive, coping response to difficult experiences. It detaches us from our authenticity and negatively impacts relationships, including the relationship we have with ourselves. By addressing the trauma that led to addiction, we can overcome it. Prior to becoming a therapist, I volunteered as a recovery coach.

I approach addiction from a trauma-informed lens, considering the "whole person" with the familial, societal, emotional, and behavioral influences that facilitate addictive patterns.

I specialize in helping clients with addiction and chemical dependency through a comprehensive approach that integrates evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and mindfulness techniques. I also incorporate relapse prevention strategies and community-support resources to promote lasting recovery. My approach addresses the underlying causes of addiction while empowering clients to build healthier habits and lifestyles.

I have spent over 30 years working voluntarily with individuals who struggle with issues of addiction and I have spent the last 2 years working with individuals clinically at an intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment program. I know the 12 steps are not the answer for everyone and my experiences can help you figure out the best options to beat your addiction. I know how hard it is to stop or even seek help. Together, we can free you from the bondage of addiction.

Addiction I specialize in treating addiction with a compassionate and comprehensive approach. My expertise includes utilizing evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients understand and manage their substance use. I focus on relapse prevention strategies and developing healthy coping mechanisms. By addressing the underlying causes of addiction, I help clients build a strong foundation for long-term recovery.

I have managed a 30 bed residential rehab track, worked in IOPs, and been funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse for my research on addiction. I have now brought this passion into our clinic where we provide outpatient substance use treatment grounded in individualized and evidence-based treatment practices. I offer both individual, couples, and group therapy focused on relapse prevention. We also have addiction psychiatrists in the clinic to provide medication management as needed.