Addiction Therapists in Bergenfield, NJ.

The cycle of addiction is dizzying to the addict and it creates what I calling "doing" some forward movement in growth. And undoing. The old (by now probably moldy) undoing). The trapdoor for the addict is you know the drug offers relief. And since you live only in the hear and now (emotional and physical pain can cause that feeling) you want the instant relief that it seems only the drug gives you. My job is to gently and sometimes not so gently dispel you of this massive myth. What you really need is to learn to slow down by substitution of behaviors. It will be clearer when we meet.

I have successfully helped clients with a variety of addictions including eating disorders, substance abuse, compulsive shopping, compulsive exercise, gambling addiction, and sex addiction. I often work in conjunction with 12-step programs or other support groups, as guided by the needs and preferences of the client. In addition to helping clients stop the addiction that is hurting them at the moment, I help you to understand the origin of your addiction so that you can attain a more permanent recovery. By helping to you see the psychological motivations, you are empowered to work your program more effectively. Instead of transferring from one addiction to another, you develop strategies to

Audrey will help you work through addiction as a symptom to a bigger problem instead of the core problem in your life. She will help you identify behavioral patterns and negative core beliefs about yourself and the world around you. Through this you will work through develop healthy coping skills outside of substance use and develop a fully developed esteemable life you can be proud of.

Cyber and video game addictions or abuse are a relative recent phenomena. This is a issue that effects youth and adults. It can cause loss of sleep, social isolation and result in neglecting basic and important responsibilities. Through psychotherapy we will explore the need for the escape, what is the secondary gain, as well as working on tools to help change the behaviors that have become routine and habit.

You or a family member or loved one are suffering with addiction. When one person suffers, those who care about that person also suffer. It is rare to find treatment that is caring but also sets limits, and that does not assume an individual needs to "hit bottom", which can be dangerous. Instead, the individual needs to be challenged while being loved. This takes many forms, depending on the individual and the situation. With a lifetime of meditation and training in Eastern awareness, as well as years as a psychotherapist, I have helped bring individuals back from the brink of self-destruction. With connection, the dangers of addiction recede. Find connection and come back to a true life.

This is an area of treatment where I have seen many miracles. Successfully moving beyond substance dependence and abuse is not a matter of will power and character. Paradoxically, being strong willed and independent can work against recovery; addictions are very 'sticky' and five decades of research and experience confirms that attempting to keep them in check without help does not work. Twelve step programs (AA, NA, CA, etc) are the ‘gold standard’ of recovery, and are tried and true methods of achieving lasting abstinence. I possess a strong 12 Step program background, but know that not everybody can walk into a meeting and feel at home. Come for a consultation and see what is possible.

I can help clients who want to change their relationship with alcohol. I am not a specialist in medical detox or advanced addiction and recovery--those concerns should be handled by a specialist. But I can work with clients who want to set goals to drink differently and pursue healthier approaches to reducing stress, connecting with others, or healing from grief and trauma. We'll take the approach of "what are you drinking about?" and go from there. I'm here to help you every step of the way.

I truly enjoy working with individuals struggling with addictions. Slowing down and moving the client into a different place and space is an area that I have had positive experiences with in my practice. Individually or in couples counseling or even at an Art and Science of Love Workshop has been a particular interest and area where I have succeeded as a therapist.

I am a licensed clinical social worker, licensed alcohol and drug counselor and have a sap credential. I have worked in a treatment facility, 27 years in a school district as a substance abuse coordinator and have also worked in a state prison. Through out all these years, I have worked with all populations and all addictions. There is not one approach. I tend to be eclectic. I am passionate about helping people and offer an environment that is supportive in implementing pathways to healing.

Drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, love, food, netflix etc. WORK! You would not use them to survive feelings that are otherwise unbearable, if they didn't. Unfortunately, there is simply never enough, or the consequences become dangerous and/or intolerable. Eventually the feelings of neglect, isolation, alienation, paranoia and loneliness return. Treatment for addiction will allow you to accept your feelings and your past so that you can regain control over your life and choices, heal relationships, and restore your sense of esteem, dignity and agency.

It is both a challenging a empowering road when it comes to recovery from addiction. It takes commitment and willingness to start moving toward healthy change. When you are ready for that step, I am here to support you on a healing journey. Therapy will uncover self-destructive beliefs or habits (addictions/ patterns) that prevent you from feeling a sense of freedom and purpose. I also work with family members of those struggling with addiction. When addiction is present in a family, it has a profound impact on the entire family system. I aim to help individuals understand the addiction cycle and implement a recovery process that works best for you.

Overall, I treat addiction much like I would treat any other crisis. I would do addiction assessment to make sure I'm the right person to treat you. I'd identify triggers, what makes you more likely to repeat the addictive behavior. I can work with substance use and sex addiction. My general belief is that addiction is a way that people avoid dealing with other people and their problems. It can be a learned behavior. In order to stop doing the offensive behavior, it is important to focus on what you do want to do. This is the process of recovery, and I will do my best to facilitate this.

There are all kinds of addictions, from substance abuse to internet pornography. In each case, the bottom line is that a person is dealing with feelings of depression, anger or anxiety in a destructive way. They drink, gamble or look at pornography whenever they feel stress, but do not face the feelings that are causing the stress and work through them. I encourage addicts to make use of 12-step programs in combination with psychotherapy. When they stop denying and commit themselves to both, they quickly make progress.