Are you ready to overcome your addiction and live your life?
Do you struggle with addictive behaviors? Do you feel out of control with your use of alcohol and/or drugs? Do you feel that sex, gaming, or food addictions are running your life?
Addiction can be difficult to overcome, but with therapy you will the light at the end of the tunnel. Therapy, too, can be challenging work, especially when trying to change our addictive patterns.
Signs of Addiction:
Loss of control; not being able to stop addictive behaviors
Avoiding people or ignoring your priorities/obligations
Disregarding potential consequences, like health issues, damaged relationships, and job loss
Feeling depressed, anxious, irritable, or other sudden mood changes
Obsessive thoughts and actions about the addiction
The Role of Trauma in Addiction
Trauma is heavily linked to addiction. Studies found that 40% of individuals diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) suffer from some form of addiction.
Traumatic events such as abuse, neglect, and violence can cause emotional and physical harm. Addictions can develop as a coping mechanism in response to these difficult traumas. Unfortunately, the more we attempt to suppress traumatic memories, the more the addictive behaviors occur. It is essential to address the root causes for both addiction and emotional reactions to trauma to overcome addiction.
My Approach to Addiction Therapy
During my clinical work in the mental health field, I have provided addiction treatment to hundreds of clients in order to identify their addictive patterns and meet their recovery needs. I believe that when recovering from addiction, it is important to have an actionable plan to change the way you respond to your triggers/craving. We will work together to find a safe and healthy path - you are not alone in your recovery process.
My sessions use EMDR therapy to help overcome addiction. EMDR helps you release your old coping mechanisms and to learn new recovery tools. It can also reduce your desire or craving for addictive behaviors and process the past experiences associated with these addictions. Your past experiences do not determine who you are now. I’m here to help you overcome trauma and addiction with support, clarity, and calmness.
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT): Acceptance Commitment Therapy believes that while pain hurts, suppressing our pain only creates more suffering. The goal of ACT is to accept our pain and acknowledge negative thoughts, memories, emotions, sensations, and urges before changing them. Instead of allowing automatic or reactive responses, we mindfully and deliberately choose behaviors. “Good actions brings good results, bad actions bring bad results.” By using ACT, I can help you identify the most realistic and relevant actions for your goals and needs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides a structured way to notice inaccurate or negative thinking and develop better responses to difficult situations. CBT explains that our thoughts and behaviors are associated with our emotions. When you are aware of unhelpful or negative thoughts and behaviors, you can change the way you feel about yourself, others, and the world. I use CBT with many clients to help overcome addictions and related anxiety.
Internal Family System (IFS): Internal Family System method has been proven effective for treating anxiety and trauma. IFS explains that we all have multiple personalities or inner parts of ourselves. Each inner part or personality has a role to sustain life. These parts interact with each other just as people interact. This means that some of these parts run into conflict when one part has more power or disregards other parts.
IFS stresses the importance of resolving the internal conflict between parts. For instance, a part of you may be scared to begin therapy, while another part of you knows that therapy will be helpful. We have different parts for different goals within each of us. With IFS, we can find a way to heal vulnerable parts and restore a healthy and balanced internal system. I believe that the process of recovery and healing must be self-directed with the support and guidance of a therapist. This allows you to take control of your compulsive behaviors and overwhelming emotions and create your own sense of empowerment and safety.
You can take charge of your addiction and live a healthier life. Schedule your free consultation with me today to find out how we can work together and put you back in control.