Addiction

I am a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in the state of California and have over ten years of experience working in treatment programs treating addiction.

Are you tired of being told “just say no”? Are you tired of being called weak-willed or defective? Have you grown tired of being treated like a problem and not a person? Do you keep drinking or using in spite of the negative ways those habits affect your life? Having counseled people troubled by addiction for the past 10 years, I feel confident that recovery is possible.

I am a Licensed Addictions Counselor practicing Harm Reduction, a compassionate and effective therapeutic approach for modifying any type of problematic behavior. You will determine the changes to be made; my role will be to respect your autonomy, learn how a substance or behavior is or is not serving you effectively, and prioritize risk reduction and personal safety.

With experience working in corrections, I have a breadth of knowledge to assist clients in understanding cycles of addictions. We will work together to uncover the root of problematic behaviors, to facilitate lasting change.

I see addiction as a disease of the nervous system: an unhealthy way of regulating. Like any disease, nobody chooses it: it chooses us. But we can choose to overcome it. It is usually a maladaptive coping response to difficult experiences. It disconnects us from our authenticity and negatively impacts relationships. By addressing the trauma that led to addiction, we can overcome it. As well as substance addictions, I specialize in process addictions like sex, pornography and social media.

I hold a LADC license in the state of Nebraska, providing Level I Outpatient treatment, as well as substance use / chemical dependency evaluations for both adults and juveniles, as well as co-occurring evaluations for same.

You may have been to treatment or achieved sobriety on your own. But you’re realizing that getting sober isn’t the same as staying sober…and that’s what you really hope to do. You’re likely already aware of some of the stressors or triggers that can arise, and you know how important it is to be prepared to navigate those before you encounter them. Counseling is a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space to help you achieve your goal of long-term sobriety.

Substance use is often a coping mechanism that eventually hurts more than helps. We'll work together to explore your relationship with substances and work towards a better understanding of how to best care for you. I work from a harm reduction lens and believe that MAT (Medicated Assisted Treatment, ex: Suboxone, Methadone, Vivitrol) is an important part of recovery for many people.

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 approach addiction with deep compassion, recognizing it fundamentally as an issue of nervous system regulation. My work centers on creating a supportive environment where clients can safely explore and understand the emotional and psychological underpinnings of their addictive behaviors. By helping clients develop self-awareness and effective coping mechanisms, I guide them toward regulating their nervous systems and building a resilient foundation for sustainable recovery.

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.

Tommy has significant experience in addiction counseling, helping clients navigate the challenges of substance use and dependency. He employs evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing to support clients in their recovery journey. Tommy's compassionate and non-judgmental approach creates a safe space for clients to explore their struggles and develop effective coping strategies, fostering long-term sobriety and well-being.

12-step recovery & harm reduction techniques

Many times addiction at its core, is a result of a behavior that is used to get relief, replacing a bad feeling with a good feeling, or numbing the bad feeling so that there is nothing to feel at all. Having specialized in this field for years, I understand what works and what doesn't. I will help get to the root cause and provide discovery to independence from the binds of addiction. If talk therapy or AA is not giving you sustained results, my work is for you.

Part of us leans towards a new path, while another part likes things just as they are. This approach acknowledges that clients are the expert of their own lives and looks to roll with both sides without pushing any agenda onto the client. Thus, the client can look to see how actions may or may not match their unique values. If your goal is to either reduce or completely abstain from drug or alcohol use, I can help.

I am a Master Addiction Counselor (National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals) since 2016. Addictive behaviors come in many forms. We'll work through the root cause that's driving the addiction and come up with a plan to curb impulses.

Addiction often presents itself in various forms. The impact of addiction results in cycles of negative behaviors affecting the individual and those they love. As a licensed addiction specialist, I provide clinical services to support and guide you through the process of recovery and change in a caring and non-judgmental atmosphere.