Addiction therapy

We work with a wide range of addictive patterns including alcohol, substances, food, work, shopping, relationships, and other behaviors that create suffering in your life. Our approach recognizes that all addictions serve a purpose, and we help you understand the underlying needs driving these patterns while developing healthier ways to meet those needs.

Not at all. We meet you wherever you are in your relationship with addiction. Many people start therapy feeling ambivalent or unsure about change, and that's completely normal. Our work together can help you explore your feelings about your addictive patterns without pressure to make decisions before you're ready.

Traditional approaches often focus primarily on stopping the addictive behavior through willpower or behavior modification. Our trauma-informed approach recognizes that addiction usually develops as a response to pain, trauma, or unmet needs. We address these root causes using modalities like EMDR, IFS, and Somatic Experiencing, which leads to more sustainable healing because we're not just treating symptoms.

Yes. We believe in personalized care that honors your goals and values. For some people, abstinence is the right path. For others, harm reduction or developing a healthier relationship with substances or behaviors may be more appropriate. We'll work collaboratively with you to determine what approach aligns with your needs and circumstances.

We offer both individual therapy and couples therapy for addiction. Whether family members are involved depends on your preferences and therapeutic goals. Some people benefit from having their partner participate in sessions, while others prefer to do individual work first. We'll discuss what makes sense for your unique situation. We do not offer couples therapy for addiction. We might bring a partner in for a session or two, when it makes sense to help with communication or to support the individual client goals in therapy.

Setbacks are a normal part of the healing process, not a sign of failure. When challenges arise, we use them as opportunities to understand what triggered the return to old patterns and what additional support or strategies you might need. Our approach is rooted in compassion and curiosity rather than judgment, so you can always be honest about your struggles without fear of criticism.

Anxiety and trauma are often deeply connected to addictive patterns. Many people use substances or behaviors to manage overwhelming anxiety or to cope with traumatic memories and body sensations. We integrate treatment for anxiety, complex trauma, and addiction simultaneously, recognizing that lasting recovery requires addressing all of these interconnected experiences.

At the beginning of therapy, we typically recommend weekly or biweekly sessions to provide the consistency your nervous system needs for healing. Sessions are scheduled at least a month out to ensure continuity of care. The overall length of therapy varies based on your individual needs, goals, and progress. We'll regularly discuss your journey and adjust our approach as needed.

Rather than following a single rigid model, we integrate multiple evidence-based approaches including EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Theory, Attachment-Focused Therapy, and AEDP. This allows us to tailor your treatment to your specific needs rather than fitting you into a predetermined protocol. Your therapy is designed around you, not the other way around.

The best way to find out is through our free 20-minute consultation call. During this conversation, you can share what you're experiencing, ask questions about our approach, and get a sense of whether our relational, trauma-informed style resonates with you. There's no pressure or commitment, just an opportunity to explore whether we're the right fit for your healing journey.