Substance use and dependency can take many forms, be it from substances, gambling, sex, shopping, and even food. You may feel dependent on the substance or behavior just to feel “normal”.  Often, this behavior is also paired with feelings of bigger issues such as depression, anxiety, or trauma.  Together we will look at all pieces involved in what led to the out-of-control road of substance-related behaviors and help guide you on the path to recovery.

See my resources for chemical use and dependency.

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress.  When it feels like a constant cycle of overwhelming thoughts has developed, it becomes problematic. You may miss a lot of life that’s in front of you by constantly thinking “what if?” and being preoccupied about something outside your control. Different aspects of life, such as performance at work or school, and interactions in social relationships can be negatively impacted as a result.  In therapy, we will identify the root of your anxiety and use tools that teach you how to challenge and break anxious thought patterns.

Feeling down, overwhelmed, or just “stuck”? You are not alone. Depression affects millions of people, and at times can feel like it’s too difficult to overcome. It takes many forms and ignored so long that you don’t even notice it. Whether it’s a case of the blues that you just can’t shake or clinical depression, we will work together to figure out what’s contributing to your depression and develop a plan to cope with help you take control of your life so that you can start enjoying it again.

If you’ve experienced trauma, you may feel like you’re always on high-alert, unsafe, or preoccupied with thoughts associated with the traumatic event(s).  You may also be triggered by sights, sounds, smells, or even feelings, regardless of how long ago the trauma occurred. These triggers can bring back painful memories and cause intense emotional and physical reactions.  Facing these memories and emotions can be very difficult.  In our work, I provide a space to safely explore and alleviate the burden of symptoms associated with trauma so that you feel like you can finally move forward and experience a healthier way of living.

Over time, a person experiences a number of life changes. Some of these changes, such as marriage, births, and new jobs, are generally positive. Others, such as divorce, starting college/new career, or loss, may cause a significant amount of stress.  Whether positive or negative, adjusting to life transitions can be difficult to navigate. Together, we will work to find ways for you to cope with these changes so that you feel more confident and better prepared for what comes next in life.

Loss can feel like a deep pit of despair and heartbreak. It can be a result of many situations, such as death, divorce/the end of a relationship, relocation, trauma, and deteriorating health.  You may experience grief as waves of intense sadness, anger, guilt, and loneliness.  It can be difficult to ride these waves alone, especially when they feel like they come on suddenly.  Processing grief in healthy ways is essential and can greatly help you learn to cope with these feelings as they come.  Choose to start your path to healing today.

Shame – a feeling of being unworthy, bad, or wrong – can stem from a number of childhood or adult experiences, and is one of the most difficult feelings to carry with us.  In some kinds of treatment, feelings of shame that underlie depression, anxiety, and issues in relationships aren’t addressed, which results in symptoms being unresolved. Together, we will safely explore feelings of shame for the purpose of creating new, healthier self-narratives and help you engage in experiences that foster a sense of goodness and worth.