Addiction

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.

Addiction is something which I have several years of experience treating. People are often surprised to learn that treatment for substance abuse is not at all what they thought it would be. Typically, those with severe addictions will require a lifetime goal of sobriety while those with more mild addictions may acquire the ability to practice “controlled use” of chemicals. We will do a careful assessment of your symptoms so that effective goals for treatment can be established.

My graduate studies included a comprehensive addiction counseling specialization which familiarized me with the most recent and up to date approaches to addiction treatment.

Part of my work includes being a Care Manager at Exodus Recovery in Los Angeles. This includes working one-on-one with folks in recovery as well as facilitating groups.

I offer a compassionate yet practical approach to reducing or eliminating your alcohol use. I believe alcohol is one of the most damaging drugs around & if you want to stop or reduce your intake, then you are one of the smart ones! It is crazy to me that oftentimes people are judged as "having a problem" or being "abnormal" if they don't drink. If you are ready to stop or reduce alcohol, you are in the right place and I look forward to helping you finally become free of the chains of alcohol.

Addiction is a "relapseable, chronic, progressive and often fatal disease." Addiction affects everyone in the family - so it's called "a family disease." Addiction is also a Brain Disease - affecting your thinking, judgment, perception, decision-making, and moods. When your family gets into Recovery too, it's easier for you to stay clean and sober, AND, if your family doesn't want to, you can still enjoy your own "Recovery." You can have a better, easier, healthier life being clean & sober.

there are 3 major factors that contribute to the development chemical dependency /addiction, 1.) heredity, 2.) environment, and 3.) access to the psycho-active alcohol or other drugs . The goals of the therapeutic intervention is to assist the individual to come to the realization that the alcohol or other drugs is progressive in nature and that it takes a support system to help manage the drug dependency. This support system includes family, friends, doctors, therapists, and support groups.

Alcohol and other drugs can be so insidious. The pervasive use in our culture makes it really difficult to know if you're just a "normal" person who has a bottle of wine every night or an alcoholic. Where does it cross the line? I have experience helping clients to find their personal line, and set boundaries with themselves. I will never tell you what to do, but I can help you to reduce the harm that substances are having on your life.

Treating those in early recovery.

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.

I know that drinking and drugging hits peoples self esteem pretty badly. Regardless of the timeframe you have been drinking or been sober, people often feel the crippling shame of what they have been through. Addiction takes and emotional and physical toll. I help you decide what you need to in order to move forward in focusing on what's important. For some people that is not full sobriety and for some it is. You need to try something new. Give me a call.

As an individual who has had several addictions and learned to overcome them, I feel I am qualified to treat such afflictions. Experience is certainly a good indicator for positive prognostic outcomes. No amount of training, education, or certifications is comparable to having had the affliction and overcome it. And as someone who lost a sibling to an overdose, this area of focus is particularly salient to me.

I have five years experience with addiction treatment and co-occurring disorders in both an inpatient and outpatient setting and have guided hundreds of unique individuals in achieving their sobriety goals.

I’ve been working with addiction for over 10-years. From shopping, gambling, work, exercise, gaming and substance or alcohol addiction. My personal experiences have deepened my understanding and passion for working with those struggles from addiction.

I possess a strong skill set as an addiction therapist, facilitating positive transformations for numerous individuals battling drug abuse. Through empathetic guidance and evidence-based interventions, I have empowered clients to overcome addiction, fostering lasting recovery and renewed hope in their lives.

Since 2010 I have worked with addiction treatment. Much of my experience is working at an all women's treatment facility as a counselor, a program manager, and a director. This includes working with co-occurring disorders that often are part of the puzzle when solving issues of addiction. I have lived experience in this area.

there are 3 major factors that contribute to the development chemical dependency /addiction, 1.) heredity, 2.) environment, and 3.) access to the psycho-active alcohol or other drugs . The goals of the therapeutic intervention is to assist the individual to come to the realization that the alcohol or other drugs is progressive in nature and that it takes a support system to help manage the drug dependency. This support system includes family, friends, doctors, therapists, and support groups.

I provide counseling for clients who have achieved some form of sobriety and abstinence from drugs and alcohol. In early recovery, some incidences may trigger you to want to go back to what was once comfortable through your active addiction. This is why continued addiction counseling is crucial. Substances and alcohol are used to help put uncomfortable feelings to sleep. I can help by guiding you to tolerate and integrate uncomfortable feelings rather than using substances to keep them down.

When working with individuals on substance use, I let the client tell me what their goals are. The primary concern when working with substance use is safety, followed by health and wellness. Together we will evaluate client concerns and set treatment goals based on need. I do not assume that every individual struggling with substance use has an addiction. I have experience working in drug and alcohol treatment facilities, 12 step groups, and have familiarity with other recovery groups.