Addiction Therapists in La Mirada, CA.

Are you addicted to pornography, visiting massage parlors, paying for sex? Have you tried to stop and failed? Are you leading a double life, afraid of being found out? Has your partner discovered your secret life? There is hope if you're ready to change your life. I provide a confidential, non-judgmental place for addicts and their partners to share the shame of a double life and the pain of betrayal. I will help stop the out-of-control behavior and re-engineer your life to develop healthy intimate connections. There is hope and you will not be alone in the journey. Go to www.sexhelp.com for an online assessment.

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.

I work with women struggling with sexual and "love" addiction, to help you discover the roots of these compulsions, find healthy ways to fulfill real needs, and help you to once again feel in control of your life while rebuilding the groundwork for healthy, fulfilling relationships that are consistent with your own values. If you are or might be ready to make a change, I hope you will contact me.

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.

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.

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.

We see a variety of clients who struggle with addictive or compulsive behaviors and impulsivity. People who struggle with these symptoms may choose one or more repeating behaviors, actively engaging in pornography, alcohol, food, a belief, another person, gambling, gaming, or acquiring material possessions. Helping clients to understand the nature of addiction and the factors contributing to the behavior is the first step toward freedom. Tailoring treatment to the problem, we engage with the pattern using a multi-level approach. Not limiting therapy to only behavioral methods, we use CBT as well as Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

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.

Substance misuse is a common phenomenon in our culture. Sometimes we use substances to cope with physical, emotional and psychological pain and discomfort. We also may feel substances enhance happiness and create a party—until the party becomes a problem. Whether you are currently struggling with addiction or addiction has been part of your journey, we will work together to understand what role substance plays or has played in your life, as well as identifying your preferred relationship recovery. I practice motivational interviewing and and emphasize a recovery oriented care model, which recognizes the many facets to a person beyond their addiction.

Addictions can come in many forms. Some struggle with alcohol and drug addictions, while others struggle with gambling. Still others may struggle with internet pornogrpahy or video games. The common reasons for getting hooked are either boredom, the desire to seek pleasure or simply to just have have fun. The hardest reason to admit an addiction is that it is a way to cope with life's difficult problems. Whatever your reason, if any of these addictions are affecting your work or relationships, it's probably time to seek professional help. Caring and quality professionals are non-judgemental, teach you to cope with difficult emotions, and find alternative outlets for spending your time.

Most addictions whether they are gambling, pornography, internet, alcohol, drugs, or shopping are all rooted in the desire toward pleasure seeking and all result in an outcome which is unable to sustain that pleasurable experience. Often people seek treatment when the behaviors result in destructive outcomes. When a spouse or family member of an addicted person or the addicted person themselves, admits the behaviors are resulting in negative outcomes and the person is unsuccessful in stopping the behavior we define this as an addiction. We provide insight as to what is the root cause and teach them better coping skills.

Most often, nothing becomes an issue until it starts to interfere with your own level of functioning. Depending on the level of addiction, may depend on your level of treatment. Outpatient therapy is focused on those who are more stable within their addiction, and are wanting continued accountability and personal growth as their focus. Treatment may be more collaborative at this level (psychiatrist, physician, sponsor) to ensure that progress is continuing. Types of addiction treated in my practice: drug/alcohol use, food/exercise, shopping and co-dependency issues.

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.