Healing is relational, and everyone deserves someone to talk to.

The idea of “addiction treatment” can feel like a threat to a go-to coping mechanism and sense of identity.

Traditionally, addiction treatment and mental health are separated. Providers are told to “wait until they’re sober” before addressing anything beyond the addictive behavior. This is an outdated model that ignores the unmet emotional needs temporarily satisfied by an addiction. 

We will begin by building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust. We then develop your intrinsic reward system so that you are moving towards something, not away from it. Why? Goals that matter to you (health, relationships, school, work) frequently override self-restraint (“white knuckling it”).

Within sessions, I use open-ended questions, judicious self-disclosure, and knowledge of current addiction and mental health research to invoke a conversation in which you will (re)discover your voice, learn to tolerate strong emotions, and build on your existing strengths. You will be challenged, but you will also laugh. Therapy with me is not a punishment.