Services
- Individual
- Couples
- Group
About My Clients
Are you starting to wondering if your alcohol or drug use is getting a little out of control? Are your friends and family suggesting you might have a problem? The #1 reason people don't seek treatment is that they don't want to have give up their use entirely. I get it. Many people I work with are able to transition from problematic use to nonproblematic use without giving us their drug of choice. I'm here for you to help you take a look at how your use may be effecting your life.
My Background and Approach
I have a PhD and MSW in social work, and I am a full professor in a graduate program for counselor education. I began my career as an addictions counselor in Washington DC in 1995 and have continued this work with a small private practice ever since. Harm reduction psychotherapy is my main focus, but I also use Motivational Interviewing, and DBT to build the skills needed. I also use CRAFT to support families and friends of people who care about someone who is using drugs. COVID brought a great deal of attention to teletherapy and my practice grew with women who were searching to explore their alcohol and other drug use, but also......they wanted to talk about everything else too. It has been exciting to grow my practice in this area and expand it to support women as they move through their own life transitions.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
I believe you are in control and you are powerful. Therapy can be a guiding force, but you will always be steering. I firmly believe that people who use drugs need and are worthy of our care and love and I DO NOT believe in tough love, not ever. I know our addiction treatment world creates treatment trauma, forcing people into abstinence who do not wish for it, over-diagnosing, or worst of all, forcing them into therapy they do not want. I am a safe space where you can recover from treatment trauma, explore what it is you do want and create a plan for your life that is consistent with your values.