Addiction Therapists in Plandome, NY.

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.

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.

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 will help you find freedom from your compulsive and addictive behaviors. Leveraging a solutions-focused approach via an 8-session curriculum to help men understand and overcome sex and porn addiction, or compulsive sexual behavior disorder. We will discuss problem definition, solution creation via the miracle exercise, understanding control through understanding internal/external variable assessment, brain mapping, identity, sustainable sobriety, defense mechanisms and ultimately determining what fix your compulsive behavior is delivering.

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) can be adapted for addiction treatment by exposing individuals to triggers associated with substance use while preventing the typical compulsive response. Through repeated exposure to these cues, clients learn to tolerate cravings and resist the urge to use substances. ERP for addiction targets maladaptive patterns of behavior and helps individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms. By breaking the cycle of avoidance and compulsive substance use, ERP promotes long-term recovery and enhances overall well-being.

Individuals in the process of recovering from substance use can learn how to prevent relapse, identify and process triggers associated with substance use, learn interpersonal and emotion regulation skills to navigate life in recovery from using substances and assist in developing a positive support system. Individuals can learn about treatment and recovery from substances.

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. Addictions are very 'sticky' and nine 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 it is very helpful to be introduced to recovery properly to feel at home. Come for a consultation and see what is possible.

Having worked in the addiction counseling and psychotherapy field has allowed me to become a certified alcohol and addiction counselor (CASAC) where I offer treatment for substance abuse understanding individuals who suffer from addiction and their families who also might be suffering. I have helped many clients find treatment help whether its in Westchester or Putnam County partnering with substance abuse rehabs and other treatment providers. Often the client likes to talk about their struggles or a family member might call for an intervention. Call to discuss your needs.

Sexual addiction is painful for both the addict and their partner. It is a process addiction; different from substance addictions like drugs or alcohol. This addiction wreaks havoc in relationships and causes a great deal of fallout (consequences) when it is disclosed to or discovered by the addict's partner. It is painful, even when there was no intention to cause hurt. I specialize in sexual addiction treatment, working with addicts, partners, and couples who want to recover from the effects of this disease. There is great success when people commit themselves to a true and honest recovery.

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.

Addiction can take many shapes and forms. Addictions to drugs, alcohol, relationships, shopping, gambling, food or sex have become a symptom of a society looking to escape from our pain. Fear of facing these facts can be overwhelming and denying to our addictions will continue to cause pain. Finally facing our addictions is not something that we have to do alone.

You went after work to hang out with friends. You had some drinks or you got high. Everything was fine in the beginning until you noticed that just stopping was no longer easy. I believe that people can reduce or completely stop. The choice is yours to make. There are consequences to working me; you may decide you don't need to be high or drunk to enjoy yourself.