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Addiction~

 

I specialize in understanding and treating addiction, recovery and it effects on families

 

Addiction :

  • Is a biological, psychological, social and spiritual disease

  • Does not discriminate

  • Is powerful and never satiated

  • Robs you of your identity, time and energy

  • Is lonely and terrifying

  • Keeps you as sick as your secrets

  • Does NOT represent you or what you stand for

  • Effects your entire being (mind, body and spirit), and those who care about you, requiring an integrative treatment approach
    ~mind:  distorts perception of self and others,  impairs problem solving, judgment,  and ability to deal with stress or intense feelings.   Negatively imbalances brain chemicals.
    ~body:  saying or doing regretful things, continued use; despiteharmful physical side effects (including depression and anxiety) and poor self care
    ~spirit:  false connection with self, others and higher being or consciousness, a divine force, something beyond the physical world.

  • Is much more than a function of choice; I’ve never met an addict that said, “I always wanted to be an addict while growing up.”

  • Can be a genetic predisposition

  • Hijacks the reward pathways in your brain

  • Imprisons you

  • Always makes things worse

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL FOR AN INITIAL FREE 30 MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION AT 805-750-0356.

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Integrative Treatment Approach

 

I have been privileged, over the past 20 years, to be intimately apart of the recovery process with hundreds of clients from many different perspectives (therapist, supervisor and clinical director) within multiple mental health settings (county residential and outpatient , community based and private practice).   This experience has exposed me to many types of recovery models and the importance in understanding the fact that clients must take an active role in their recovery to determine which approach will best meet their needs. One size does not fit all!

This often includes partnering with additional health professionals, recovery programs, and/or community based organizations as part of your treatment team.

 

I help you identify your unique recovery needs, connect you with resources and assist in assembling your treatment team.

Our collaboration is also very individualized and fluid in order to effectively respond to the ever- changing nature of your recovery process. I accomplish this through:

  • dispelling self criticism (the disease tries to disempower)

  • ongoing psycho education regarding addiction and its effects.

  • mindfulness exercises (deep abdominal breathing and imagery)

  • normalizing negative feelings that often occur during recovery (guilt, fear, unhappiness, resentment, anger and ambivalence.)

  • improving your self care (reduces impulsivity and selfishness)

  • accessing your creativity and curiosities and weaving into your treatment plan (ex: the toolbox we create has to make sense to you!)

  • ongoing assessment of your stage of recovery, how you are integrating your recovery experiences with the partners on your treatment team, and it’s effectiveness.

Healing and Recovery Process:

Is always about:

  • honesty and active participation

  • ambivalence

  • patience with self and others

  • support and love from healthy family members or friends and community, as well as qualified professionals.

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