Top addiction therapists in 92618: Irvine, CA.

Few are aware that an addiction is a form of self-medicating where the addiction helps cover up deeper problems. This is especially true for a person experiencing major depression. The addiction serves to uplift a person out of the depression and into a state of pleasure. The problem is that the addiction serves as a temporary fix and becomes a problem in itself where chasing the high comes at an even greater cost than that experienced as depression. Suicidal thoughts, imprisonment, loss of income and financial problems, and poor health all come with the addiction. A person experiencing addiction must seek counseling for the addiction and for the root cause.

Struggles with addiction and substance abuse can often be accompanied by guilt and shame, and this guilt and shame are typically triggers for continued use/relapse. Use of a strengths-based approach to treating substance abuse can tap an individual's own strengths to gain insight and to increase coping skills. Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy can also prove useful to address unmet needs, feeling "stuck" and challenging irrational thoughts that lead to continued use.

No one likes pain. No one likes to feel alone, or stressed, or scared. Wouldn't it make sense to do what it takes to give ourselves relief from our despair? Turning to drugs, alcohol, food, spending, tv...you name it, can be our best way to get relief from our pain. And it works...momentarily. Unfortunately, it can become much bigger than we planned. Sometimes, it can hurt those we love and get in the way of living the life we want. Finding out what is underneath that pain, and helping it to be soothed without our addiction can be hard...but it can set us free. If you are ready to reclaim your joy, begin with this first courageous step of reaching out for help.

Often, when addiction becomes an issue which impairs an individual's ability to live life fully, the substance abuse is only the symptom and there is a co-occurring disorder present. Perhaps some past pain or trauma has been left unresolved. When working with the newly sober client, I first take time to cultivate a collaborative and safe relationship in which we may begin to explore ways to manage the triggers which may cause relapse. Once this is managed, we may gently and respectfully begin to explore the deeper issues which drive the triggers. Collaboratively, we will work to resolve these issues such that, triggers either become powerless or non-existent.

Addiction can ruin lives. Whether it is a substance (like alcohol of drugs) or a behavior (like eating or gambling) it stimulates that part of or brain that is the reward center and makes us feel pleasure. Humans, not surprisingly, like all animals, seek pleasure and avoid pain. We can get addicted to such a degree that we lose sight of the important things in our lives; our family, friend, job etc. Anything and everything can get side-lined by our addiction. Breaking free can be hard, it can involve many attempts and yet the rewards are enormous. I don't have the magic bullet but I can walk alongside you and help you on the path to recovery and sobriety.

I strongly believe that the first step in overcoming an addiction is to feel supported in a safe and comforting therapeutic environment. Without trust, it is nearly impossible to address the issues, including shame, that so often accompany substance abuse. My approach is to help my clients learn to identify the thoughts and beliefs (often negative thoughts about themselves and their lives) that lead them to turn to drugs or alcohol. Treatment helps the client unlearn old patterns of behavior and to learn new ways of coping with situations and thoughts that may have led them to use substances in the past.

Addictions make us feel good, filling unmet needs in our lives, and have destructive ends if not controlled. While you were just having fun, it becomes an attachment, or even a secret affair. When relationships get difficult, we know where to go to escape the pain, thus getting stuck. Why family therapy? The cycle of addiction almost always intertwines with relationship patterns that I've helped successfuly resolve through increasing emotional awareness and intimacy. Ask me about our multi-family support group for families with recovering members (free as of Nov. 2011). I'm supervised by Dr. Ian Chand, LMFT (MFC 21263) of CARE Counselors.

We become addicted to certain behaviors when painful feelings about ourself cannot be recognized or expressed, and therefore unprocessed. Caught in these unrecognized feelings that never get understood, behaviors of accommodation take hold and keep us trapped. Therapy is a process of recognizing these emotional patterns leading to a personal empowerment to speak what one really desires and needs. This process breaks the addictive patterns.

There are many forms of addiction: Alcoholism & Chemical Dependency, Sexual Addictions, and Gambling are just a few. We believe there are root problems to every addiction that you can get to. Even if you don't consider yourself an "addict" you may have a problem in one of these areas. That can still be a very difficult thing to manage in your life on your own. We help people come to grips with addictions and problem behaviors that can get worse if left unaddressed. If you are struggling in this area don't try to go it alone. We can help.

Addiction is complex and encompasses many entities. One of them is the participation in an AA program, another one the therapist. I can help on the therapeutic side, as addiction is often connect to underlying trauma. We will work through the trauma and the tools needed, while AA provides the tools required for sobriety. It's an ongoing process, providing growth and stability over time.

Addictions can be tricky as they can often fly under the radar if they don't seem to impact other people, such as an individual who exercises to extremes; however, problems arise when addiction(s) begin to impact their social, academic, mental/physical health, financial or professional life. Looking at the difference between merely habit forming behaviors and true addictions can be examined during psychotherapy and looking at benefits and patterns of these behaviors. Supportive measures are key before addictions take over and become the sole purpose of an individual's functioning. I have worked with a number of individuals and psychotherapy can be of a great benefit towards recovery.

Are you consumed by work, unable to switch off even when you're away from the office? Do you find it challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out? My holistic therapy approach offers a transformative journey towards reclaiming your life and finding harmony between work and well-being. I understand the pressures and demands of modern-day work culture. As a holistic therapist, I specialize in addressing workaholism from a comprehensive perspective, focusing on healing the mind, body, and spirit. Rather than simply treating the symptoms, we delve deeper to uncover the underlying causes of work addiction, guiding you towards

My approach to addiction therapy is holistic and compassionate. I understand that addiction is a complex issue that affects not only the individual struggling with substance abuse, but also their loved ones. Together, we will work to identify the root causes of the addiction and develop coping strategies to overcome it. We will also address any co-occurring mental health issues that may be contributing to the addiction. My goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to work through their addiction, while also addressing any other areas of their life that may be affected. I may incorporate evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational