Top addiction therapists in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

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.

If you are grappling with sexual addiction, you may feel judged or shamed by yourself or by others. I aim to provide a safe, judgement-free, sex-positive, and compassionate space to explore the underlying issues. In sessions, you will work to become empowered, foster self-awareness, break unhealthy patterns, and learn tools to navigate towards healthier patterns of sexual behavior and fulfilling relationships.

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.

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.

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.

Addiction: Alcohol, Drugs, Porn, Sexual, Gambling, & Over Spending Do you really believe that your addiction is ruining your life then you are ready for us to work together. However, having said that, if you are addicted, you need more than will power. To “beat your addiction” you need new strategies and tools, and you also have to develop a practical plan to be able to combat your addiction that would involve additional techniques. To learn about 7 different therapies that can be used to treat addiction go to: http://drmartytashman.com/a-note-to-the-person-struggling-with-addiction

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 help my clients become aware of how they protect against their feelings. These are called addictions We can use anything as an addiction if our intention is to avoid our feelings or to use something to make us feel worthy. I can help you manage the loneliness, helplessness and heartbreak that you may be avoiding with your addictions. Once you know you can handle your feelings then you no longer have to protect against them and can let go of your addiction.

Our credentialed music therapists tailor sessions to each individual, utilizing personalized music exercises and interventions to address each person's unique symptoms of addiction. Our music therapists work with each client using musical elements like songwriting, processing, and guided imagery to help clients find their own voice and learn new coping skills to help manage addiction of any kind and severity.

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.

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.

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.

Addiction usually stems from trauma. Feelings from trauma can be so crippling and painful that clients see no choice other than drowning the pain in addiction. Addiction numbs the pain. My primary goal is to create a safe space for clients to find the trauma that they have buried deep so we can revisit it, process it, feel the pain, make space for the feelings associated with it which ultimately heals it bit by bit. When a client can do this over time, the addiction releases its grip since it’s no longer afraid of the pain that it had to numb all this time.

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.

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.

Addictions are a very painful form of emotional and physical suffering that can lead people into having profound feelings of shame and guilt and an unyielding sense of inadequacy and failure. The individual may have tried innumerable times on their own to stop the compulsive and driven pressures occurring in their addictions only to find discouragement and feelings of failure when addictive behaviors relentlessly continue. One often finds that relationships and jobs may deteriorate or even be lost from the preoccupation with the addiction, and legal problems may occur. If you or a loved one finds they are suffering from an addiction, please seek addiction therapy.

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.

My approach for addictions counseling consists of utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and a great deal of mindfulness and mediation. I prefer the holistic and spiritual approach to overcoming addiction challenges and highly suggest the addition of 12 step support groups as well as addictions counseling. I provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment for clients to be open about their experiences and work together to find inner peace and cultivate change.

Dr. Spada can help you with your addiction. She can support you every step of your way to recovery. She can help you explore feelings you may be avoiding, that may be too difficult to feel that are ultimately driving the addiction and need to escape. Addiction is insidious and very difficult to overcome. Support throughout this process is absolutely critical.

Addiction can take many shapes and forms. Addictions to drugs, alcohol, relationships, shopping, gambling, food or sex have become a symptom of a society looking to escape from our pain. Fear of facing these facts can be overwhelming and denying to our addictions will continue to cause pain. Finally facing our addictions is not something that we have to do alone.

My philosophy of therapy and change is that change comes from within. As a therapist, I ask a great deal in asking an individual to change, as change is an incredibly difficult task for everyone. The journey of change requires both the client and myself to work collaboratively throughout this journey. It is for this reason that the rapport between the client and myself is critical. I aim to provide all my clients with the space to explore their underlying feelings, thoughts, and behaviors so that they can engage in change.

Are you struggling with substance abuse/dependence? Do you find yourself in dangerous situations? Do you have substance-related problems with your family, courts, work, school and relationships? Spending more time searching than on your life? Is the pleasure gone for you and all that remains is facing the problems of withdrawal? Step forward - reverse negative and unhealthy addictions. Change behaviors and beliefs that push continued addiction. Free yourself and enjoy your friends, family and your life. For a free consult, contact Dr. Jean Eljay.