Addiction

Overcoming addiction is a personal and transformative journey. I work with individuals to address the root causes of addiction, build self-awareness, and develop healthier coping strategies. My approach empowers you to end the cycle of substance use, rebuild your self-esteem, and find a path to lasting recovery. Whether you’re dealing with substance abuse or co-occurring mental health, I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space to help you regain control of your life!

I specialize in the psychiatric management of substance use disorders, recognizing the unique challenges that come with these conditions. My goal is to provide you with personalized care that addresses both your mental health and any substance use issues you may be facing. When it comes to substance use disorders, I create a safe, non-judgmental environment where we can discuss our experiences and work toward recovery. Understanding the interplay between ADHD and substance use is crucial.

Alcohol and other drugs can be so insidious. The pervasive use in our culture makes it really difficult to know if you're just a "normal" person who has a bottle of wine every night or an alcoholic. Where does it cross the line? I have experience helping clients to find their personal line, and set boundaries with themselves. I will never tell you what to do, but I can help you to reduce the harm that substances are having on your life.

I hold a LADC license in the state of Nebraska, providing Level I Outpatient treatment, as well as substance use / chemical dependency evaluations for both adults and juveniles, as well as co-occurring evaluations for same.

I have extensive experience working with substance use.

Provided medication management and psychotherapy in a Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) for substance and behavioral addictions.

I've been a Licensed Addiction Counselor since 2009. You've probably read about evidence-based treatment, which is, of course, important, but what I think is just as important, is compassion-based treatment. This is how I show up, in a safe place with no judgment where you can uncover what's at the root of your substance use; then we make a plan to get you where you want to be.

I see addiction as a disease of the nervous system. Like any disease, nobody chooses it: it chooses us. What we can choose is to overcome it. It is usually a maladaptive, coping response to difficult experiences. It detaches us from our authenticity and negatively impacts relationships, including the relationship we have with ourselves. By addressing the trauma that led to addiction, we can overcome it. Prior to becoming a therapist, I volunteered as a recovery coach.

Trained in the disease model of addiction, I work from the basic tenet that addiction is not a moral failing but rather a brain-based disease. Over the past four years, I’ve had the opportunity to support individuals facing addiction through both group and individual therapy. I firmly believe that recovery is possible for anyone, with the right support and tools, whether you're ready to make a change now or just beginning to explore the possibility.

I utilize a harm reduction frame when working with people who use drugs. Harm reduction is a spectrum from increasing safety, to abstinence. I believe substance use treatment is not a one-size-fits-all model. I specialize in working with stages of change, shame, stigma, sex and drugs (chem sex/PNP), and safer use. I am here to work with you to identify your use goals and find a path to live in closer alignment with your values.

Thirty years of experience post Masters degree provided extensive experience in substance overuse, addiction, dependency and treatment including individuals, couples and families that are impacted by substance overuse. For last two years, working in residential and partial hospitalization program as a therapist with Veterans and others with SUD and mental health symptoms including trauma, has honed my skill in this area. Concurrently, as a therapist with incarcerated individuals.

Are you tired of being told “just say no”? Are you tired of being called weak-willed or defective? Have you grown tired of being treated like a problem and not a person? Do you keep drinking or using in spite of the negative ways those habits affect your life? Having counseled people troubled by addiction for the past 10 years, I feel confident that recovery is possible.

I started my journey working with client suffering with addictions and have developed a well planned treatment course for us to work through. Not only will we work on identifying current triggers, but will also develop skills for managing the future to keep you on the road to recovery.

Blocks in creativity can make us stuck and stagnant as a result of falling into addictive patterns. Addictive energy can feel intense and fiery, just like the energy of creativity. The work is to channel that addictive energy into your passion, even if you aren’t quite sure what that is. We will find it together. As Garbor Mate puts it, “addiction is the opposite of connection,” and this includes connection with ourselves.

I use cognitive behavioral and acceptance and commitment approaches to address substance use issues. I am very familiar with the 12 step model, but do not insist that it is the only path to sobriety. There are as many approaches to recovery as there are people with substance use concerns. I will help you discover what your needs are, and how to meet those without using substances in a damaging way.

Sometimes the use of alcohol or other drugs gets in the way of desired or necessary activities and important relationships. I've worked in a variety of treatment facilities aimed at helping people change their drinking or drug use and view addictive behaviors more as a symptom than stand-alone issue. We would work together to understand what maintains this behavior and create a personalized plan to shift away from harmful levels of use.

12-step recovery & harm reduction techniques

I have experience working in a substance use rehabilitation facility as Aftercare/Outpatient Counselor. I am familiar with the importance of building your recovery support network as well as the causes of addiction. I emphasize accountability when it comes to clients setting and achieving goals. Maintaining long-term sobriety has been a major focus for my practice so far.