Addiction Therapists in Pacific Palisades, CA.

I approach addiction in a non-judgmental and empathic manner. have a variety of experience working with several forms of addiction including drug and alcohol addiction and various forms of behavioral addictions. I completed my dissertation on the topic of sex addiction and thus have worked extensively in this area. I believe that the underlying dynamics associated with any addiction must be examined.

The long-term goals for working with addiction consists of improving the quality of life for clients by maintaining ongoing abstinence. Therapy assists clients in identifying the negative ways that using has impacted their lives. Treatment consists of educating client's about the disease, decreasing resistance and denial, finding ways to obtain sobriety, identifying triggers for relapse, and finding social and emotional support to overcome their addiction. My approach is to assess the type and severity of the addiction and provide my clients with referrals necessary to help them in the journey for recovery.

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.

In my work with clients battling addictions I work to help them discover the root causes for their addictive behaviors and find new ways to resolve them. We work collaboratively with their support system to create healthy lifestyle habits and associations, resolve old recurrent pain, set new healthier boundaries in their work and personal relationships, and find new meaning for their lives. When there are setbacks, my clients learn to explore them in a non-judgmental environment designed to help them move forward toward the sober, healthy life and relationships they are seeking.

In this generation, the growth of individuals with addictions is very significant. Addictions originally were isolated to alcohol and drugs. Today’s addictions are understood to also include, food, sex, money, gambling, video, internet, internet games, internet chatrooms, internet pornography and other types of prolonged, repeated and out of control behaviors and actions. Addictions take over a person’s ability to have of self- control of the action which leads to the fogging of any will power to stop the addictive activity even when a matter of great importance comes in conflict with the addiction. Addictions ruin people and all relationships surrounding them. Addiction counseling explores underlying factors leading to the addiction and looks to find...(view profile to read more)

We are all addicted to something: drugs, alcohol, food, negative thinking, anger, shopping, etc. It all comes from the same place. We don't want to feel painful feelings. We want to numb out. But if you are an addict you know you are in pain already. Feelings those painful feeling frees you from the need to numb out. 12 Step programs don't work for everyone. I have helped many people overcome their addictions. I will help you find self acceptance and love so that you can overcome your addiction with compassion. It's a journey well worth taking.

I love the 12 step programs and will want my clients to attend some of those sessions. I will work with clients to find the personal power to attend these meetings and gain more knowledge about others as well as themselves. I work here with self forgiveness, shame, and forgiveness of others. I work to strengthen their personal worth. I find that having the client take personal responsibility for their actions is the key to their going forward in grace and honesty.

Are you trapped by an addiction? Do you drink too much? Eat too much? Watch too much TV? Spend too much time on your phone or iPad? Do the pole in your life say you are not available to them or that you have problem? Most addictive behavior is an attempt to distract oneself from something painful that is going on. Instead of avoiding what's wrong, face it. Deal with it. Once you do, your need to participate in your addiction of choice will lessen. Need help doing this? Join one of my groups and do group therapy to uncover whatever your addiction is masking and get in with your life. Group not for you? Then do individual therapy instead. Either an help you get out from under your addiction.

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.

Addiction is a mental health condition and I treat addiction by a multi-pronged process predominately from a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) model. I help my clients understand the reasons they use a substance or engage in an addictive behavior, teach them skills regulate their emotions and tolerance distress that might otherwise lead them to engage in their addiction, and address any underlying issues that contribute to their addiction. I also help clients with with concerns about their substance use or compulsive behavior to avoid developing addictions.

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 was the Clinical Director of a drug treatment centerI offer many different approaches and tools for leaving your substance behind, and I tailor my approach to your individual circumstances. But overall I view addiction as a form of coping (a coping strategy), and we would work to replace your current coping strategy with other, more life-affirming ones. We wouldn't just look at staying sober (triggers, relapse prevention, scheduling--whatever you wanted in these areas), but we would figure out where all of this came from. Then, we would work together to find ways to help you to live a richer, fuller, and substance-free life.

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.

Don't know if you're an "addict"? Are you SURE you are? Whether someone just accuses you of addiction or you've been around the recovery block a few times, you'll find qualified and understanding help at CCRG. But nobody REALLY understands you? Try us! You'll find real understanding and patience, skill and knowledge, motivation and support. Would all that help? Call us and let us help.

There is no greater prison than the confinement of addiction. For those of us who have struggled with addiction we understand that life is not promised. It is urgent to get the care you need and become free at last. Please consider a confidential consultation today. I understand both the 12 step approach and the holistic approach to addiction counseling

Addiction is often stigmatized in our society and struggles with addiction can carry a great weight of shame. I can help you understand the dynamics of addiction and create meaningful change without the judgment with which it is so often associated. Addressing addiction requires care and understanding, and I can provide you with that as we navigate the process of working through this issue that can be so impactful in your life.

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 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.

As a person with 30 years clean and sober and 29 years smoke free, I bring personal as well as professional experience in working with clients who have addictions. I am also in recovery from compulsive over eating and shopping and have a personal understanding of cross addictions or swapping one obsessive behavior for another. I understand what it means to be a person who loves an addicted person from both personal and professional experience. Call 818 575-9049 today to arrange a FREE 20 MINUTE SESSION Subsequent session are $1 per minute. No contracts. You decide when and how many minutes you need one session at a time. If you only need 30 minutes, it will only cost $30. You decide.

Gambling? Alcohol? Drugs? Is an addiction controlling your life? Are you tired of being a yo-yo in that addictive cycle? Getting help from a professional counselor and going to a 12-step group often have the best results according to research. I provide treatment for drug/alcohol problems, sexual addictions including internet porn, shopping compulsions, and gambling problems for the individual and his/her family and friends. I am a provider for the State of California to give free, professional treatment to the gambler, gambler's family, and friends. Don't let that addiction lead you to prison, insanity, or death. Call today for a free consultation and lead a clean and healthy life.

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.

As a public health and drug policy advocate, I provide therapy from a non-abstinence and harm reduction point of view. I approach addiction from a humanist and spiritual point of view. If abstinence works for you, I'll support you in that. If moderation is your goal, I've got your back. We are all addictive creatures -- whether its chemicals, food, drink, or stimulation, and my role is to support your goals with that in mind.

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.

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.

An addiction can be hidden for years before a spouse or parent catches on. Addiction is not limited to street drugs and alcohol, people can become addicted to things like prescription medication, binge eating, video games, gambling, or pornography. Addiction always starts as something that seems harmless and innocent. It is common for a distressed person to turn to their addiction to escape from their problems--the drugs/action takes their minds off their problems. As time goes by, the physical dependency grows, and then the psychological dependency grows; the addiction grows and grows until it takes over the person's mind. I know what it is like and I can help the person get into recovery.