Addiction

Micheal has provided counseling in a treatment setting for drug and alcohol since 2002 as an individual therapist to a group counselor. Micheal has worked for drug court, some of his clients will go to AA and NA meetings, and Micheal will write letters to the court for proper documentation. Micheal encourages his clients to get the help and support that they need from various entities so that his client’s don’t become dependent on him as their therapist.

I have many years of experience in supporting people in better understanding their relationship with alcohol, drugs, or other behaviors (such as spending money, sex, relationships, gambling, food) so that they can make the changes they want to live a fuller, healthier life. Whether you are considering reducing the amount that you drink, or you are seeking support to achieve and maintain a sober life, I can support you. I believe that there are many paths in recovery, it is all up to you.

I am a CADC-II (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) with over 17 years of professional experience in addiction and recovery and have worked in detox, residential, outpatient, jail, and private practice settings. As a licensed psychologist with extensive experience in addiction and substance abuse treatment. I am dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction and achieve lasting recovery. My approach is evidence-based, empathetic, supportive, and will evaluate level of motivation.

I am a Master Addiction Counselor (National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals) since 2016. Addictive behaviors come in many forms. We'll work through the root cause that's driving the addiction and come up with a plan to curb impulses.

I have worked with addicts, alcoholics, and gamblers for many years, going as far back as 2003. I believe each day is a new day to learn something new about yourself. If you have a relapse you pick yourself up and assess yourself and get back on the wagon and be more open with yourself and your support system to help you get back on track with your recovery. I believe in being resilient and bouncing like a ball and not breaking like an egg. Life is going to challenge you each and everyday!

I have experience working in a substance use rehabilitation facility as Aftercare/Outpatient Counselor. I am familiar with the importance of building your recovery support network as well as the causes of addiction. I emphasize accountability when it comes to clients setting and achieving goals. Maintaining long-term sobriety has been a major focus for my practice so far.

I see addiction as a disease of the nervous system: an unhealthy way of regulating. Like any disease, nobody chooses it: it chooses us. But we can choose to overcome it. It is usually a maladaptive coping response to difficult experiences. It disconnects us from our authenticity and negatively impacts relationships. By addressing the trauma that led to addiction, we can overcome it. As well as substance addictions, I specialize in process addictions like sex, pornography and social media.

I specialize in treating addiction by addressing both the psychological and behavioral aspects of substance use. Through a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness techniques, I help clients explore the root causes of their addiction, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build resilience. My goal is to support you in overcoming cravings, breaking harmful patterns, and creating a sustainable recovery plan tailored to your unique needs.

Addiction is an area with personal meaning to me. I have the 12 Step programs to thank for saving the lives of loved ones of mine, and I have personally been sober since 2010. Prior to opening my own private practice in 2019, I worked extensively at rehabilitation facilities around Los Angeles. There is nothing more rewarding than receiving a text from a client I watched begin their sobriety journey and learning that they are still thriving.

I have experience in treating pregnant woman and mothers with severe substance use disorders. With this experience, I have consistently also treated codependency. I am in full support of MAT services to include methadone, suboxone, and vivitrol.

I employ a collaborative approach in addressing addiction or SUDs. My structured process involves a professional assessment of your unique situation and developing a personalized treatment plan that integrates medication management and therapeutic interventions.

"The mind is a beautiful master, but a lousy servant." Ultimately the human mind (which we all have and experience) is the root cause of our attachments or addictions in life. How to learn for to peaceful detach to that addiction or attachment is the big question, but everyone has that answer inside them if they are willing to look. Through mindfulness, 12-step teaching, relapse prevention skills, and other therapy modalities, I teach out how to create and use a toolbox of coping skills.

I am a true believer that no one intends to become an addict or alcoholic, but that one's personality, genetic makeup, and/or trauma history contribute to their drug and alcohol dependency. Depending on the client, I take either an abstinence-based or harm-reduction-model approach. I lean on the tenets of 12-step programming (such as: one-day-at-a-time; taking personal ownership; letting go of resentments) as I explore with my clients the purpose that drugs and alcohol played in their lives.

I started my journey working with client suffering with addictions and have developed a well planned treatment course for us to work through. Not only will we work on identifying current triggers, but will also develop skills for managing the future to keep you on the road to recovery.

Navigating Addiction Recovery Through Therapy Addiction can deeply impact every aspect of your life, from relationships to work performance. In therapy, I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space to help you explore and understand why substances are playing a role in your life, develop healthier coping skills, and help create a recovery plan that is right for you.

I have over a decade of personal and professional experience in the addiction field. I am familiar with both 12-step and non-12-step models of recovery, and support an all paths to recovery approach. As a person in long term recovery, I understand how challenging and lonely addiction can be. Feel free to reach out, as I'd love to help you experience the freedom from addiction that you deserve.

I offer a compassionate yet practical approach to reducing or eliminating your alcohol use. I believe alcohol is one of the most damaging drugs around & if you want to stop or reduce your intake, then you are one of the smart ones! It is crazy to me that oftentimes people are judged as "having a problem" or being "abnormal" if they don't drink. If you are ready to stop or reduce alcohol, you are in the right place and I look forward to helping you finally become free of the chains of alcohol.

Sometimes the use of alcohol or other drugs gets in the way of desired or necessary activities and important relationships. I've worked in a variety of treatment facilities aimed at helping people change their drinking or drug use and view addictive behaviors more as a symptom than stand-alone issue. We would work together to understand what maintains this behavior and create a personalized plan to shift away from harmful levels of use.

I've been a Licensed Addiction Counselor since 2009. You've probably read about evidence-based treatment, which is, of course, important, but what I think is just as important, is compassion-based treatment. This is how I show up, in a safe place with no judgment where you can uncover what's at the root of your substance use; then we make a plan to get you where you want to be.