Addiction Therapists in Hawaiian Gardens, CA.

Scientists have researched for years to isolate and locate a physiological marker that would identify someone’s predilection for addictive behavior. However, even if they were successful, any addict could tell you that addiction is much more than a physical problem. No matter the addiction, multiple factors contribute to the descent into this common form of mental illness. Physiological factors do play a role in addictions, as well as do family, cultural, environmental, and psychological considerations. So, which is it for you? If you are a typical addict, all of them apply to a certain extent. Relapses into addiction after typical rehab treatments, usually occur when all factors haven’t been ....

One of my specialties is addiction. I have over 20 years of knowledge in working with chemically dependent mind. I have professional as well as personal experience with Addiction. I can relate and support the addict or loved ones of the addict it handlebar understanding of how recovery works. Addiction affects not only our relationships but our inner being. Addiction doesn't have to be a disability or secret. I treat addiction in my practice and at hospitals in the Orange County and Los Angels areas.

Addictions are a complicated area of work. Often the specific addiction is a symptom for much deeper discontent and shame. Along with the physical body addiction, many times the psycho-emotional issues have been present for a long time. Gaining insight and understanding to these usually very early aspects of oneself can be a useful life long tool in recovery and maintaining that recovery.

I have specialized training in providing evidence-based treatments that are outcome focused. I work from a primarily Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) orientation and I incorporate elements of health and wellness into my approach. I work as a partner in treatment with my clients, drawing on my decade of experience in the mental health field. I work with adults, older adults and adolescents, providing both long- and short-term treatment, in the Long Beach/South Bay area.

The world of addiction treatment has a tendency to skew towards the identification of the client with his/her addiction. Just as other mental health concerns, I believe that addiction is a problem that does not define the person but rather reflects a segment of experience that has the tendency to take precedence over various aspect of life. Addiction is often co-conspiring with other dominant forces such as shame and blame, thereby pressuring clients to be silent and hide under it's control. I find that an important step to dealing with addiction is to find out how it operates on a person's life, to understand it's tactics and what it is trying to take away, what it has to gain.

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've worked in inpatient chemical dependency, researched the use of videotaped feedback in alcoholism treatment, & taught a university graduate course in Substance Disorders & Treatment. While active addiction is generally best treated inpatient, outpatient counseling can be an indispensable support both preparing for and after initial recovery, preferably in conjunction with a strong 12-step program, for relapse prevention and for learning a new concept of self and building the skills and tools needed for sober daily living, such as boredom-avoidance, assertiveness, and relationship building and maintenance.

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.

We are talking about craving for substances or behavior that gets in the way of relationships, work, and general health. First, treat yourself to sharing with a professional what is going on because you are unlikely to be able to solve this all by yourself if you are still suffering. Talking is obviously not enough and you will learn to take the steps to change these destructive habits.

I view addiction as the compulsive overuse of a self-prescribed stress management tool. The addiction may be to a person, activity, or substance. But regardless of how addiction manifests itself, the goal is to understand what the client gets out of it, and find healthier, sustainable ways to manage their stress. But regardless, but in addiction counseling is to assess the compulsive behavior, so I can understand where it comes from and what keeps .

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.

I have many times worked in therapy with clients who struggle with addictions, among other issues. I have studied Motivational Interviewing, which is remarkably helpful in addictions work. Clients feel supported and not judged, and are able to find their internal motivations for change. Therapy with me can complement work in separate addiction treatment as well.

I am a CalGETS outpatient provider with specialized training in the treatment of problem gamblers and their families use specific diagnostic tools to determine the extent and severity of the problem. The licensed therapist creates a therapeutic relationship to help each client succeed using proven strategies that motivate the client to change, identify distortions and feelings about gambling, identify gambling triggers, and prevent relapsing into destructive behaviors. The specific types of treatment provided to problem and pathological gamblers will be a combination of state-provided treatment materials, knowledge and skills acquired from the trainings, and techniques from the th