Substance Abuse Counseling in California

Support for long-term sobriety.

You’ve gotten sober. Now you’re ready to stay that way.

You may have been to treatment or achieved sobriety on your own. But you’re realizing that getting sober isn’t the same as staying sober…and that’s what you really hope to do.

Recovery is a lifelong journey. You’re likely already aware of some of the stressors or triggers that can arise, and you know how important it is to be prepared to navigate those before you encounter them. You may also have a sense that there are some deeper roots to your addiction—things that you may not have acknowledged or addressed before—that may be impacting you today.

Substance abuse counseling is a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space to help you achieve your goal of long-term sobriety.

Addiction can alter the structure of the brain in ways that take months, if not years, to heal. In substance abuse counseling, you can identify and address the unaddressed emotional struggles, trauma, and other triggers that are often at the root of addiction, setting you up for success as your brain heals and you pursue long-term, significant changes in your life.

As a therapist who has worked in drug treatment for many years, and who holds certification as a Certified Addictions-Informed Professional, I understand how intricate this “balancing act” can feel in both early and later stages of recovery. My goal is to offer you a place where the shame of addiction is removed and you instead feel empowered to confront the behaviors, thoughts, or experiences that have contributed to your addiction in the past. 

I support clients in recovery from various substances, including:

• Alcohol

• Marijuana

• Opioids

• Heroine

• Meth

• Cocaine

How does substance abuse counseling work?

We will begin our work together by understanding your history and establishing your goals: what is important to you, and what do you want to accomplish in therapy? What does a life of sobriety look like and feel like to you? From there, we’ll develop a roadmap to making those things a reality. 

Many times, addiction is caused by painful past experiences, emotional struggles, or trauma—things that often aren’t addressed or diagnosed in relation to substance use. In counseling, we’ll work on identifying the deeper roots behind your substance use and then use methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to heal them at the source. I’ll also help you develop healthy coping skills for triggers and stressors in life, learn how to set boundaries and advocate for your needs effectively, and think about yourself and your life in a more positive light.

Together, we’ll acknowledge the different emotions tied to your addiction and address the patterns of shame or negativity that have held you back in the past.

And it can fit your busy schedule! All therapy is done online, from the comfort of your home or office. Learn more about online therapy in CA.

You are capable and deserving of a fulfilling, joyful, sober life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Substance Abuse Counseling

What does sobriety mean?

For some people, sobriety means 100% abstinence from substances. For others, it may be moderate use that no longer interferes with daily functioning. This is something that you and I can discuss in our work together and ultimately work toward, recognizing that recovery looks different for different people. I’m here to support you in achieving the sober lifestyle that you envision for yourself.

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse is defined as a pattern of drug use that leads to significant problems. Sometimes these problems are at school or work, in relationships, or in day-to-day functioning. This is often diagnosed as Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and is sometimes accompanied by mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or bipolar disorder.

How can EMDR help with substance abuse?

Addiction is often caused by past trauma (even if we don’t realize it at the time). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based method for addressing painful memories or deep-rooted negative beliefs. In substance abuse counseling, EMDR can help you treat the trauma that may be underlying your substance abuse behaviors, reducing the compulsion you have toward them and helping cultivate healthier coping skills that support your sobriety.

How can counseling help me achieve long-term sobriety?

There are two main ways counseling can help you on your recovery journey: addressing the roots of your addiction, and supporting you with healthy coping skills and strategies as you move into the future.

As part of our work together, we’ll take a look at your history with substances and the experiences that may have led you to begin using them. I take a trauma-informed approach to substance abuse counseling, meaning that everything we do will be highly individual and guided by your unique needs and experiences. We’ll identify the contributing factors to your addiction and work together to address each of them using evidence-based therapy methods.

I’m also here to support you in the day-to-day of your recovery journey. We’ll work on developing tools to aid you in managing emotions, stress, and anxiety, addressing triggers, and cultivating a support system that shares your goal of long-term sobriety.

By addressing both the root causes and the day-to-day of recovery, you’ll be equipped to move into the future sober, healthy, and confident that you can handle whatever life throws at you.

How do we get started?

I offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you decide if I’m the right substance abuse counselor to support you. Click this link to request your appointment. We’ll use this time to answer any questions you have about counseling, share a little bit about what you’re hoping to achieve, and determine if we’re a good fit to help you get there.