Addiction Counseling

I am a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor in the State of Indiana and participate in ongoing continuing education on the topic of addictions. I have trained in Motivational Interviewing. I have more than 30 years of personal recovery experience. 

Recovery Oriented Work

Early Recovery: Addiction robs us of our potential. If you are ready to quit avoiding your problems and feelings, therapy is a good place to start. 

An important part of the recovery process is learning what driving factors led to the addiction. These may be unhealthy beliefs, habits, and/or behaviors we learned in childhood to adapt to painful feelings/experiences.

It is difficult to maintain abstinence when we are triggered by our past experiences. Therapy will explore how past experiences trigger your current thoughts and feelings-- then you can choose alternative behaviors. 

Ongoing Recovery Support: When you know it is time to heal on a deeper level. With a strong recovery program you can explore and resolve the original issues that prompted the substance misuse.  This may include family of origin issues, such as growing up in an alcoholic family. It may also include childhood abuse and emotional neglect. Most people recovering from drug and/or alcohol abuse will find it helpful to address co-dependent relationship issues. 

EMDR therapy can be an effective treatment approach and give you a new freedom.  

Medical Professionals: I provide therapeutic oversight for doctors and nurses who require licensing monitoring for substance issues. 

Family Support

Addiction impacts the entire family. Therapy can help you identify what you can do to support your loved one. It can also help you learn how to take care of yourself while loving an alcoholic/addict. 

Any person who loves an alcoholic/addict knows that it’s not just the addict who struggles. Therapy is a safe place to explore your complicated feelings, and identify what you can do to take care of yourself. 

Adult Child of Alcoholic/Addict

If you grew up in an addicted family, therapy can be a safe place to identify the roles you may have established within your family system. Maybe these are patterns you've carried into other relationships.  Exploring the dynamics present within an addictive family allows all family members to recover.

Children of alcoholics often assume various roles. These include the hero child, scapegoat, the mascot, and the lost child. It's time to break free of these roles, and discover your authentic self.