Individual Therapy (adults, 18 +):

I work with individuals that have already decided they want to be abstinent, who are contemplating change, who want to moderate as well as those who are already in recovery.  I help you to explore your relationship with alcohol and substances including benzos like Klonopin, Valium and Xanax, opioids or pain killers like Vicodin and Norco, marijuana and nicotine. Not everyone is the same and not everyone has an addiction.  I specialize in meeting people where they are in a non-judgmental and kind way.   NOT a one size fits all approach. 

Many people wonder:

-       It’s hard to imagine relaxing after a stressful day of work without having a drink. 

-       It is hard to imagine being around others and having fun without drinking.

-       It is hard to imagine a life where I don’t feel stuck. 

-       It is hard to imagine a life without despair.

These are some of the many things openly explored in individual therapy. For those seeking sobriety, with using MET, together we develop an individualized recovery program for long-term sobriety and overall healthy lifestyle.

I also work with many family members feeling shame and embarrassment of having a family member with an addiction.  It also can be disappointing and frustrating living with someone in recovery and still feel disconnected and alone.  Many need to learn effective ways of communicating their frustrations and new ways to cope with the progressive disease of their loved ones.

With bringing over 25 years of experience to your session, it is important to me to help to support the difficult journey of processing the often mixed feelings associated with the disease of addiction.

Couples Therapy:

For those that have family members with addiction issues, it can be very helpful to have an outlet to talk about your feelings and not feel judged…the frustrations, the anger, the sadness, the helplessness. I can work with you individually and as a couple.

At times, it is helpful to have spouses and/or family members to come in with the client and learn about the disease of addiction in order to help understand the huge struggle achieving and maintaining sobriety and recovery.  Learning how to rebuild trust is a focus for many. Typically, the fear of judgment around secrets based on shame and embarrassment hold people back from reaching out for support or from admitting to a spouse about their cravings.  I can offer a safe place for the couple to explore all these feelings and issues. 

Relapse Prevention Group:

For many, the addition of a support group can help people get to the next level of recovery.  Many people have heard about and/or tried AA and decided it is not the right fit for them.  Others find it extremely valuable.

I offer a Relapse Prevention group 2x/week as an adjunct to or instead of a traditional support group like AA or LifeRing.  Using MET and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), many topics are covered.  Such as: cycle and definition of addiction, causes of cravings, tools to manage cravings and relapse prevention.  I co-facilitate with Jeff Kent, LMFT who brings great insight and perspective to this psychoeducational and supportive process group.  He and I have worked together for over 15 years.  He specializes in family support, couples and adolescents.  Jeffreykenttherapist.com. It is offered 2 days a week with no more than 10 people in a group.