Services: Medical and Counseling (Assessments, Testing, Treatment)
Substance and Behavior Addictions - At one time the term addiction was most closely linked to a chemical, the majority often illicit or alcohol. Today, The American Society of Addiction Medicine does not differentiate a difference in definition between substance and behavior addictions. They often include the traditional alcohol and illicit, as well as an increasingly larger portion being in the area of pharmaceuticals, Sex/Love/Relationship Addictions, and other addictive compulsive behaviors. We also know addiction is a family disease, with the family members carrying most of the emotional burden when there is an in-process addiction. Health care dollars are highest in those families where addiction is present, not just for the addicted individual, but with other somatic illnesses in the surrounding family. We not only treat the individual, but the family as a comprehensive process to healing.
Sex/Love/Relational Addictions - We provide full assessments for sexual, co-sexual, and relationship addictions. Our counselor has a specialized certification to address these complicated issues. Most often the origin of sexual/relational addiction is related to early trauma and/or attachment issues. Most often these issues manifest in the secrecy/privacy of on-line behavior such as pornography, compulsive masturbation, sex chat rooms, hook-up sites, etc., but can also include affairs, multiple relationship histories, engaging with OR in prostitution. Arousal templates, although similar, are unique to the individual. Most partners of sex addicts show up with marital/relational issues in marriage counseling with an untreated sex addict, a set up for treatment failure.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders - Seldom is there just one condition the individual is suffering from. Depression and anxiety are commonly seen with addictions, as well as others. Most commonly, the chicken or the egg concept enters into treating addictions effectively, treating both conditions simultaneously and correctly assessing and diagnosing which may be precipitating which. Is someone "self medicating" an untreated mental health condition, or is it addiction? Is the addiction causing these symptoms or not? Our staff is experienced in sifting through other mental health issues such as Bi-Polar, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and even Personality diagnosis to identify the primary issue.
Codependence & Adult Child of Alcoholic/Addict (ACOA) - These issues are addressed at multiple entry points (individual/group/family workshop). We can attend to most of these issues while in individual or group sessions. Since addiction usually has a family history, these issues are always covered thoroughly in our IOP groups. Other times, the shame base of low worth and personal value, as well as the exhaustion, loneliness, and depression of care-taking, can bring about disabling effects on meeting ones full potential.
Trauma & Attachment - Most people that suffer from addiction have unresolved trauma and/or attachment deficits. We use multiple modalities and different gender professionals trained in treating these underlying issues, matching each patient with the correct counselor and therapeutic approach.
Who Do We Treat
Currently we primarily treat adult individuals, couples, and their families (18yrs and older). Adolescents of family members that are in treatment are assessed for emotional maturity for our Family Workshops, and not necessarily a measured cut-off age. Currently we do NOT treat adolescents or children as primary patients.
What Kind of Treatment Do We Provide
All of our treatment is provided in an out-patient setting. Our counselors use multiple theoretic approaches, matching the needs and receptivity of the patient. Our primary therapy is emotional based including Existential, Gestalt, Experiential, Psycho Drama, Somatic, etc. Didactic and cognitive approaches are also used, only when appropriate, to include CBT, REBT, etc. Usually for an active addict & in early recovery, cognition is disihibited or disconnected (off line). Their decisions are emotionally driven, and are emotionally addressed in our treatment. Addiction is best treated in its "environment" if and when the patient has the capacity, with support, to meet and maintain normal daily living requirements. Recommendations and referrals are made if cases where needs are outside of our scope of practice (i.e. Inpatient, supportive living environment). In those cases, best practice is a referral back to an out-patient level of care as a "step down or transition" level of care.
We are the out-patient addiction specialist.
Our treatment team is specifically credentialed to work with addictions and associated issues. Our staff is composed of a MD with a specialty in Addictions Medicine, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Addiction Counselors, Certified Addictions Counselors, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, and gender specific/appropriate counselors.
The patient's treatment team (medical & counseling) is in constant contact monitoring the ongoing and ever changing needs of the individual in early recovery, maximizing efficacy. Our professional team is equipped with years of experience in the treatment of Addictions and associated disorders such as Trauma, Complex Trauma, PTSD, Depression (unipolar & bipolar), Anxiety and other Co-occurring Disorders, addressing the symptoms and the source.
What Do We Treat
"So if the Son set you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)