Addiction Therapists in Altadena, CA.

There are many forms of addiction: Alcoholism & Chemical Dependency, Sexual Addictions, and Gambling are just a few. We believe there are root problems to every addiction that you can get to. Even if you don't consider yourself an "addict" you may have a problem in one of these areas. That can still be a very difficult thing to manage in your life on your own. We help people come to grips with addictions and problem behaviors that can get worse if left unaddressed. If you are struggling in this area don't try to go it alone. We can help.

As an addictions counselor, I understand the importance of providing a non-judgmental, open, safe space where you feel comfortable to share about your use and explore how you'd like to address this behavior. Whether your goal is complete abstinence or a harm reduction strategy, I will work with you to identify the most effective ways to accomplish your goal. Many times in addiction work it is more about the feeling we are trying to achieve from the addictive behavior we are engaging in. This is why it is important to understand and implement alternative healthier strategies that achieve a similar feeling or result. When we do this; change is possible.

We become addicted to certain behaviors when painful feelings about ourself cannot be recognized or expressed, and therefore unprocessed. Caught in these unrecognized feelings that never get understood, behaviors of accommodation take hold and keep us trapped. Therapy is a process of recognizing these emotional patterns leading to a personal empowerment to speak what one really desires and needs. This process breaks the addictive patterns.

Seeking treatment for alcohol and/or drug addiction is a courageous undertaking. I have 20 years experience treating patients who suffer from alcohol and addiction from cocaine, heroine, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and prescription medication addictions. Individuals often have an underlying symptom of depression and anxiety for which alcohol and drugs provide some relief. I integrate psychotherapy and encourage participation in AA, NA or other 12 step programs to provide additional support for sustaining sobriety. Many patients often abuse alcohol and drugs and wish not to use the 12 step programs or desire complete sobriety. Psychotherapy can be beneficial in decreasing abuse.

Often, when addiction becomes an issue which impairs an individual's ability to live life fully, the substance abuse is only the symptom and there is a co-occurring disorder present. Perhaps some past pain or trauma has been left unresolved. When working with the newly sober client, I first take time to cultivate a collaborative and safe relationship in which we may begin to explore ways to manage the triggers which may cause relapse. Once this is managed, we may gently and respectfully begin to explore the deeper issues which drive the triggers. Collaboratively, we will work to resolve these issues such that, triggers either become powerless or non-existent.

While most treatment approaches to addiction include 12 step progams, rehabs, and now sober living houses, Grey Matters International, Inc. provides a wildly successful alternative to traditional models of addiction treatment----that keeps the brian in mind. That is, talking to the conscious brain while the primal brain is deciding things even before you are consciously aware? well, that is the problem to solve in addiction. We have the solution utilizing a new cutting edge neuroscience-centered brain rebalancing system. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or call 877-606-6161

Does someone you love struggle with alcohol, drugs, or some other addiction? Do you feel crushed by anxiety and fear of someone else’s choices? Learning that your loved one is struggling with an addiction can be devastating, confusing and cause you to feel your life has been turned upside down. I understand that addiction doesn't just affect the individual; it impacts the entire family. I understand the emotional rollercoaster that addiction brings and offer a listening ear to help you work through your emotions. I will help you understand the nature of the disease and let go of responsibility. We'll work on restoring balance to your life through discovering how to set healthy boundaries

I specialize in helping people who are struggling with addiction. I provide a safe, empathic environment that will enable us to build a trusting relationship that you can come to depend on instead of dependency on a substance. Through our relationship, you can learn to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that you can learn how to tolerate and regulate them without a substance.

I prefer to steer well clear of the term "addict." Addict is a word that carries the power to define people in a way that does not reflect their own wishes nor come close to reflecting the totality of their lives. My approach is first to recognize the power, and the allure, of the many substances available for abuse. I will be curious to learn about your journey and relationship with substances, and how you hope to see your relationship in the future.

Are you abusing, addicted, or not sure? Are you concerned about substances (alcohol, pot, cocaine, meth), behaviors (sex, porn, computers, gambling, spending, cutting), or both? Together, we can see if these issues are really a problem for you. If you’re having problems in these areas, we can sort it out and deal with it. Some people benefit from 12-step programs, and others don’t want them. I can work either way. Together, we’ll see what triggers you, how you deal with them, what works, what doesn’t, what situations affect your using and not using, and how this ties in with your earlier life. We’ll see what helps you to cope, where that works and doesn’t, and what other options might be.

Struggles with addiction and substance abuse can often be accompanied by guilt and shame, and this guilt and shame are typically triggers for continued use/relapse. Use of a strengths-based approach to treating substance abuse can tap an individual's own strengths to gain insight and to increase coping skills. Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy can also prove useful to address unmet needs, feeling "stuck" and challenging irrational thoughts that lead to continued use.

I believe that addiction is one of the most misunderstood mental health issues in society. Addiction is not an individual problem but rather a spotlight into what is wrong within a family system. My approach is to help you understand that addiction is your attempt to gain reconnection to your authentic self and others as well as a way to find meaning within life.

Addictions can be tricky as they can often fly under the radar if they don't seem to impact other people, such as an individual who exercises to extremes; however, problems arise when addiction(s) begin to impact their social, academic, mental/physical health, financial or professional life. Looking at the difference between merely habit forming behaviors and true addictions can be examined during psychotherapy and looking at benefits and patterns of these behaviors. Supportive measures are key before addictions take over and become the sole purpose of an individual's functioning. I have worked with a number of individuals and psychotherapy can be of a great benefit towards recovery.

Many approaches to addiction emphasize willpower and deprivation, but this only works temporarily. Alcohol, substances, or other addictive behaviours like gambling and gaming offer short-term relief of underlying issues at a long-term cost to one's relationships and health. As an addiction counsellor, I can help you resolve underlying issues, regain control, and build a sense of meaning and purpose, so you can start living the life you want. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction recovery. I meet each client where they are at, tailoring my approach to each person's unique needs. Send me a message and we can connect for a quick call to discuss next steps.

Any Unresolved issues from your past can lead to more serious disorders such as an alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction and others. We will go beyond the symptom of the addiction you are experiencing and treat the underlying cause and possible unresolved psychological trauma. This will help you restore your sense of control and reduce the poweful hold that any the addictive behaviors have on you.

Addiction is complex and encompasses many entities. One of them is the participation in an AA program, another one the therapist. I can help on the therapeutic side, as addiction is often connect to underlying trauma. We will work through the trauma and the tools needed, while AA provides the tools required for sobriety. It's an ongoing process, providing growth and stability over time.

I specialize in working with internet, video game, cell phone, social media, crypto and porn addictions. These process addictions have acquired a power over you that is difficult to break. I take a multi-faceted approach to helping you experience the change you desire. I use Motivational Interviewing to help you solidify your desire to change, I utilize abstinence based strategies and methods to help you establish and sustain sobriety, I help you learn how to replace these addictions with real relationships and interests that foster real relationships and I support you in identifying or establishing a natural support network that helps you to maintain and sustain the new changes in your life

Addiction can ruin lives. Whether it is a substance (like alcohol of drugs) or a behavior (like eating or gambling) it stimulates that part of or brain that is the reward center and makes us feel pleasure. Humans, not surprisingly, like all animals, seek pleasure and avoid pain. We can get addicted to such a degree that we lose sight of the important things in our lives; our family, friend, job etc. Anything and everything can get side-lined by our addiction. Breaking free can be hard, it can involve many attempts and yet the rewards are enormous. I don't have the magic bullet but I can walk alongside you and help you on the path to recovery and sobriety.

I strongly believe that the first step in overcoming an addiction is to feel supported in a safe and comforting therapeutic environment. Without trust, it is nearly impossible to address the issues, including shame, that so often accompany substance abuse. My approach is to help my clients learn to identify the thoughts and beliefs (often negative thoughts about themselves and their lives) that lead them to turn to drugs or alcohol. Treatment helps the client unlearn old patterns of behavior and to learn new ways of coping with situations and thoughts that may have led them to use substances in the past.

Addictions can appear in many forms including substance addictions, internet addiction, sex addiction, gambling addiction, shopping addiction, pornography, social media, excessive exercise, food, etc. Strong cravings with a loss of control can lead people to become addicted in spite of possible dire consequences. Counselling is one of several possible treatments available for addictions. Individual, group and family therapies have been found to be helpful in order to inform a client regarding the harmful effects the addiction may have on themselves, their friends, family and society. Promoting physical, emotional and spiritual well being is often critical for the rehabilitation process.

While most treatment approaches to addiction include 12 step programs, rehabs, and now sober living houses, Grey Matters International, Inc. provides a wildly successful alternative to traditional models of addiction treatment----that keeps the brain in mind. That is, talking to the conscious brain while the primal brain is deciding things even before you are consciously aware? Well, that is the problem to solve in addiction. We have the solution utilizing a new cutting edge neuroscience-centered brain rebalancing system. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or call 877-606-6161.

My approach to addiction therapy is holistic and compassionate. I understand that addiction is a complex issue that affects not only the individual struggling with substance abuse, but also their loved ones. Together, we will work to identify the root causes of the addiction and develop coping strategies to overcome it. We will also address any co-occurring mental health issues that may be contributing to the addiction. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to work through their addiction, while also addressing any other areas of their life that may be affected. I may incorporate evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational

The benefits of Addiction Counseling and Treatment are manifold. Too often individuals are controlled by substances in their life and don't feel free to make their own choices. People can be addicted to everything from drugs, to caffeine, to shopping, to gambling, to alcohol, etc. Addiction counseling is about understanding the need one may feel to be attached to a substance. Counseling focuses on developing other coping skills to manage ones' life without depending on a substance to get through each day.

I believe in a harm reduction model for addiction. I spent years in a clinic dealing with 50 clients, who were addicted to alcohol, opiates, cocaine, crack, and various prescription medications. Clients and I collaborated in finding the motivation to change. Every addict has entertained the thought of quiting. What we do in session is engage you in "change talk" expand on it, and reinforce it. Once the motivation for change is there, learning more positive reactions to triggers can begin. We will deal with self-esteem issues and possible traumas that may have led to self-medication. 12-Step programs are effective in relapse provention. Remember, you are not alone.

Clients grappling with addiction often feel a profound injury to their confidence, trapped in a cycle that seems insurmountable. In my therapy process, you will discover a compassionate and understanding environment where the underlying reasons for addiction are not only identified but addressed with clear, actionable solutions. My approach emphasizes the your unique experience, helping you to rebuild self-trust and confidence. Through personalized support and long-term management strategies, clients will find empowerment in their journey towards recovery, regaining control, and hope for a healthier future.