Top addiction therapists in 07734: Keansburg, NJ.

This is an area of treatment where I have seen many miracles. Successfully moving beyond substance dependence and abuse is not a matter of will power and character. Addictions are very 'sticky' and nine decades of research and experience confirms that attempting to keep them in check without help does not work. Twelve step programs (AA, NA, CA, etc) are the ‘gold standard’ of recovery, and are tried and true methods of achieving lasting abstinence. I possess a strong 12 Step program background, but know it is very helpful to be introduced to recovery properly to feel at home. Come for a consultation and see what is possible.

I work with all kinds of addictions not just alcohol and drugs. I have done a lot of work with sexual addiction and pornography, as well as eating disorders. I do like the 12 steps but I have worked with a number of clients who don't like 12 steps or group meetings and I have had a lot of success. The key is finding reasons to not engage in an addictive behavior and working off of that.

I have extensive training and experience working in drug treatment outpatient programs. Addictions are a complex concept. However, there is treatment, when you are willing to commit to the healing and journey that lies ahead of you. If you feel that life has gotten too tough to deal with, and/or that your addiction is taking away your quality life and possibly jeopardizing valuable relationships and/or job opportunities, I invite you to gently begin taking a look at some things a bit deeper. Together, we can explore the reality of the struggle, and in a supportive fashion look at the tools and steps to help get you to the next best place internally, empowering you to make better choices.

I can help clients who want to change their relationship with alcohol. I am not a specialist in medical detox or advanced addiction and recovery--those concerns should be handled by a specialist. But I can work with clients who want to set goals to drink differently and pursue healthier approaches to reducing stress, connecting with others, or healing from grief and trauma. We'll take the approach of "what are you drinking about?" and go from there. I'm here to help you every step of the way.

I have many years of helping people make life changes that they choose for themselves. I'm not here to nag or pressure you to do anything. You probably already have people in your life who can do that for you quite well. I'm here to help you explore what is going on for you, whether a substance or behavior might be hurting more than it's helping, and what steps you think might be useful. I have knowledge to share but most important is your own expertise on yourself and your life. I'm good at having helpful conversations and helping you figure things out.

In order to recover from compulsive disorders or substance abuse and addiction, a person must stop their dysfunctional behavior. While recovery may be that simple, it is certainly not easy. Substance abuse is at least a psychological habit and may also be a physiological one as well. People often use and abuse substances in an attempt to address an internal disturbance or upset, and mask feelings of inadequacy or other issues. Nevertheless, with a commitment to the process of recovery, and a willingness to take an honest look at oneself, it is amazing the progress people can make. I take a very direct, but supportive approach in helping individuals to make their lives more manageable.

I have 20 years working with adolescents and adults in substance abuse. I also work with people with opiate addiction and buprenorphine treatment. I do substance abuse evaluations with recommendations if requested.I can also manage outpatient and inpatient treatment if needed. I have an extensive background in substance abuse treatment, family therapy, and working with adult children of alcoholics and substance abusers.

Using a Harm Reduction approach to treatment of addictions has proven to be an effective model for intervention with a wide range of substance and behavioral addictions. A Harm Reduction approach helps the addict formulate goals and structures behaviors around their attainment. Goals are set by the individual and treatment is supportive, collaborative, and goal-oriented.

One area of "addictions" I work with is in the sexual arena. However, I view this from a lens of "out of control sexual behavior," rather than an addiction lens. I see this behavior as a symptom of something deeper in the person's history and what is happening in their life, and together, whether individually, or in the context of couples therapy (or both), we explore this. Understanding what is underneath the sexual behavior, is a step toward being able to manage it differently. Regarding substances, though I am not a specialist in this area, substance use issues emerge with clients who come for other things, so I am comfortable working in this arena, and will make referrals if needed.

As a recovering person myself, I have a firsthand knowledge of the power of addiction and the joys of sobriety. I enjoy working with other people who have the courage to face their addiction, understand what is driving it and who are willing to commit to living a sober life. Living sober is a challenging task, and is best accomplished through education, exploration of triggers and alternative coping strategies, and the support of others who encourage your recovery.

I am a licensed clinical social worker, licensed alcohol and drug counselor and have a sap credential. I have worked in a treatment facility, 27 years in a school district as a substance abuse coordinator and have also worked in a state prison. Through out all these years, I have worked with all populations and all addictions. There is not one approach. I tend to be eclectic. I am passionate about helping people and offer an environment that is supportive in implementing pathways to healing.

You or a family member or loved one are suffering with addiction. When one person suffers, those who care about that person also suffer. It is rare to find treatment that is caring but also sets limits, and that does not assume an individual needs to "hit bottom", which can be dangerous. Instead, the individual needs to be challenged while being loved. This takes many forms, depending on the individual and the situation. With a lifetime of meditation and training in Eastern awareness, as well as years as a psychotherapist, I have helped bring individuals back from the brink of self-destruction. With connection, the dangers of addiction recede. Find connection and come back to a true life.

Sexual addiction is painful for both the addict and their partner. It is a process addiction; different from substance addictions like drugs or alcohol. This addiction wreaks havoc in relationships and causes a great deal of fallout (consequences) when it is disclosed to or discovered by the addict's partner. It is painful, even when there was no intention to cause hurt. I specialize in sexual addiction treatment, working with addicts, partners, and couples who want to recover from the effects of this disease. There is great success when people commit themselves to a true and honest recovery.

My approach to treating addictions (including substance abuse, sex, gambling, internet and food) is to assist people with understanding the underlying roots that drive their addictive behaviors. With a new perspective clients learn practical skills to identify relapse triggers and techniques that enable them to manage their addictions and lead healthy lives.

The purpose of Addiction Counseling is to help the client identify for him or herself if there is an addiction present. If this is the case, a variety of cognitive behavioral techniques are utilized as well as mindfulness exercises to help with focusing and how to cope with difficult emotions in healthy ways to become abstinent. In addition, there is a focus on stengths, and what the client has done in the past to abstain from using the substance of choice. Thus, the client can try and implement at least some of these techniques again and stay away from triggers and past negative behaviors that led to relapse. There is also focus on self-esteem building and how to prevent relapse in the future once the client is abstinent.

What do you do if 12-step based treatment and AA or NA aren’t a good fit for you? You may want to explore cutting back on your drinking. You may not be ready to stop using marijuana but need support to look at how using is impacting your life. You may know you need to stop, and are abstinent, but need help to develop a long-term recovery plan with alternatives to AA or NA. A good life without drugs or alcohol is possible with or without 12-step meeting attendance.

I began my career working outpatient with alcoholics, addicts, and their families. Though I believe that the 12 steps offer a full and complete basis for recovery, I also acknowledge that the help of a professional can be beneficial as well, particularly in early recovery or at later stages when life gets very "real". In early recovery, the information can be overwhelming, and having a professional to help sort things out is super helpful. In later recovery, we often develop some unrealistic expectations that need to be right-sized.

Cyber and video game addictions or abuse are a relative recent phenomena. This is a issue that effects youth and adults. It can cause loss of sleep, social isolation and result in neglecting basic and important responsibilities. Through psychotherapy we will explore the need for the escape, what is the secondary gain, as well as working on tools to help change the behaviors that have become routine and habit.