Addiction Counseling

You’ve taken the step into recovery – now what?

· Have you left an alcohol/drug rehab or outpatient program, thinking, “How do I do this on my own?”

· Have you gotten into your recovery, but are now struggling with the very things that made you want to use/drink in the first place?

· Are you feeling unsure of who you are, now that you’ve quit drinking or quit using?

It can feel scary and isolating to do all the work of starting recovery, only to be on your own after your intensive outpatient program or rehab. You feel determined to “make it stick” and you have learned relapse prevention skills, but you’re also worried about relapsing.

12 Step programs, and the meetings that are a part of that, are often the first place suggested for support – you develop a support network in the recovery community, full of people who understand what you’ve been through and share some of the same struggles. Sometimes, however, that isn’t enough, and you may want more specialized recovery support for yourself.

Some folks don’t find 12 Step programs to be helpful for a myriad of reasons. You may not feel comfortable with how they work, or maybe the mention of God just rubs you the wrong way. There are other options! The important part is to find a way to develop a recovery community that works for you.

Getting treatment for the underlying issues contributing to your addiction can help you move forward in your recovery.

Feeling like you don’t know who you are now that you’ve quit drinking or stopped using is common. Everything about your life changes, often including your friends and your daily routine. You’ve had to change so much, and that can leave you feeling vulnerable. Maybe you used to have a drink to relax after work, and now that you’ve stopped drinking, you aren’t sure how to unwind. Or maybe your friends still smoke weed and although you don’t judge them, there’s an awkwardness in your interactions now when they want to smoke. Life doesn’t really slow down after you start recovery - all your responsibilities and commitments are still there, which doesn’t allow much time to explore who you are now, as a newly clean and sober person.

The need for support after treatment or rehab is incredibly common, especially the first year.

You may have discovered you have more deep-seated challenges that made you want to avoid, numb out, or run away in the first place. During recovery, people find themselves facing emotions and interpersonal issues that they were able to avoid or deny before. Sometimes there is a deep grief for all that you have lost to your addiction, and you aren’t sure how to deal with it. The patterns and triggers that were covered up during your use come flooding back and this can be overwhelming. Many in recovery take on a commitment to radical honesty, but this may feel vulnerable, after years of hiding the addiction and lying about behaviors.

Often, there is depression, anxiety, ADHD, grief, or other issues like childhood trauma and PTSD that contributed to your use. Those can come up strongly now that you have started recovery. When your mind is struggling under the weight of these problems, it can be hard to see a pathway toward longer term goals.

Addiction counseling can help strengthen your commitment to recovery.

Addiction counseling combined with other mental health counseling is recommended after your initial treatment, to help you create and establish long term daily habits that support recovery and prevent relapse. Having someone trained in addiction and recovery support can support your process of working through difficult emotions, coping with the changes and challenges in your life, and navigating to become the person you want to be. It can give you the understanding and confidence you need to continue putting your life back on track, to believe that it is possible to actually thrive in your life, not just get by.

Through our sessions, you can expect to better understand the strengths and capabilities you have now that you are clean and sober, and how to focus those toward meeting your new goals. Learning to experience and understand what your emotions are communicating to you, and how to process them, can help you recognize your boundaries and be more aware of the ways your “addict mind” tempts you to relapse. You can expect to learn and apply better coping skills for dealing with triggers, anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, or interpersonal issues (and many more).

I offer many techniques that can help along the way, knowing that different techniques work for different people.

Some techniques include: learning dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, which can help with mindfulness/self-awareness, emotion regulation, tolerating distressful or triggering situations, and being more effective in relationships. CBT techniques can help to shift your thinking and how this affects your emotions and behaviors. Drama therapy uses playfulness and interactive activities to practice new ways of responding to what life brings you, and gives you the skills to make good choices. Any techniques we try are tailor made for you, for handling your triggers, stress, life challenges or disappointments, and can help deal with anxiety, depression, and other issues.

My clients tell me that they like my warm style and humor, and that I understand their experiences with addiction. I have a relaxed, straightforward approach to counseling. I believe that you know what will work best for you – and I can help you explore your challenges and goals until you find what your next steps are. I emphasize accountability to your goals and promises, without judgment, and can help you discover what gets in the way of keeping on track.

I have been helping people struggling with addiction and supporting their recovery in Seattle since 2015. Given all the stigma working against those recovering from addiction, it’s important to me that you feel safe, welcomed, and that your recovery matters. I have had my own recovery journey to walk, and I strongly feel that everyone has a right to dignity, respect, and support as they build a life worth living. I love being that support.

Recovery support sounds good, but you still have questions…

I think I need support, but I’ve heard that therapy can be expensive.

Addiction counseling and recovery support are an investment in yourself and your recovery. By developing healthy coping skills, helpful ways of tolerating daily struggles, and working on what made you want to use in the first place, you are making relapse less likely to occur. Taking the time to develop healthy patterns now can help strengthen your recovery and give you more clarity for creating the life you want.

I’m committed to making sure everyone can access support: If your insurance doesn’t reimburse you for out of pocket costs for mental health counseling, I offer a sliding scale based on your need.

What if I need help with other issues besides my addiction?

Counseling can help you reveal what is lurking beneath the surface, especially now that you have come out from under your addiction. More than likely, these issues have been contributing to your desire to drink or use in the first place, and working on them can build a stronger foundation to recovery. I provide a nonjudgmental, caring, and compassionate environment where you can feel safe working through anything that arises.

What do I do if I commit to starting sessions, but then don’t feel like it’s a good fit?

Asking for help is hard, especially when reaching out to a stranger. Just like any relationship, it can take some time to build trust, and to discover what you want to share. I want you to feel at your most comfortable. Only when you're ready, will we dive into those things that are hardest to talk about. If you discover that we’re not a good fit, I will offer you support, without judgment, in looking for the counselor that works for you. Either way, the important step is to reach out.

You can build a strong recovery, and thrive in your new life!

I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation, to help determine if you and I can work well together and if you feel comfortable with me. If you’re ready to get started, click the button below to set up your consultation, and I’m happy to answer any questions. Don’t let your doubts stop you from getting the support you deserve.

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