Los Angeles Addiction and Recovery Counselor

Recovery is not a straight line, and it does not look the same for everyone. If you are struggling with substance use, alcohol dependence, or the emotional weight that often drives addictive behavior, I want you to know that reaching out is one of the most courageous things you can do. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I work with individuals who are ready to explore what is keeping them stuck and to build a life that feels worth showing up for.

My practice is rooted in compassion, not judgment. I understand that addiction is a complex condition that affects brain chemistry, relationships, behavior, and identity all at once. Whether you are newly sober, considering getting sober, or somewhere in the messy middle, there is a place for you here.

What Brings People to Addiction Counseling

Many of the people I work with did not set out to develop a problematic relationship with substances. For most, drinking or drug use started as a way to cope, to feel connected, or simply to get through the day. Over time, what once felt manageable began to quietly take over.

I work with individuals navigating a range of challenges, including:

• Alcohol use disorder and binge drinking patterns

• Prescription medication dependence

• Cannabis, stimulant, and opioid use

• Co-occurring anxiety, depression, or trauma alongside substance use

• Relapse after periods of sobriety

• Supporting a relationship or family system affected by someone else's addiction

Co-occurring mental health conditions are present in a significant number of people struggling with substance use, which is why I take a whole-person approach rather than treating addiction in isolation. When we understand the emotional pain underneath the behavior, real and lasting change becomes possible.

Recovery Looks Different for Everyone

There is no single definition of recovery, and I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Some people I work with are pursuing complete abstinence. Others are working toward reducing harm and making more conscious choices. Some are in early recovery and building new routines. Others have years of sobriety but are still untangling the relational and emotional damage that addiction left behind.

Whatever your relationship with recovery looks like right now, my role is to meet you where you are, not where I think you should be.

The Role of Emotions in Addiction

In my experience, substance use rarely exists in a vacuum. More often, it is deeply tied to what a person is trying to feel, or to stop feeling. Grief, loneliness, childhood wounds, unprocessed trauma, chronic stress, and shame are among the most common threads I see woven through addiction.

Part of our work together involves gently examining those threads. When you develop a clearer understanding of what you are carrying and why, you gain real choices about how to respond, rather than simply reacting.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recognizes that emotional and psychological support is a core component of effective addiction treatment, not an afterthought. I take that seriously in my work.

What to Expect When We Work Together

Our first session is a chance for you to share what is going on and for me to understand your history, your goals, and what has or has not worked in the past. There is no pressure to have everything figured out before we start.

From there, we build a working relationship grounded in honesty, curiosity, and steady progress. I ask thoughtful questions. I offer perspective. I challenge you when it is helpful and hold space when you need to be heard. Sessions are confidential, and I take your privacy seriously.

Recovery work can bring up difficult feelings. I will not shy away from that with you. The hard conversations are often the most important ones.

When Someone You Love Is Struggling

Addiction affects entire families and relationships, not just the individual using. If you are a partner, parent, sibling, or friend watching someone you love disappear into their substance use, I can help you navigate that pain too.

I work with loved ones who are trying to understand enabling versus supporting, set boundaries with compassion, process their own grief and anger, and decide how to show up without losing themselves in the process.

You matter in this equation, and your needs deserve attention regardless of whether your loved one is ready to seek help.

Taking the First Step Towards Recovery

I want you to know that there is a way forward. I work with adults across the Los Angeles area who are ready to do the meaningful, sometimes difficult work of understanding themselves and building something new.

I offer a free consultation so we can connect, answer your questions, and determine whether working together feels like the right fit. Reach out today to schedule your consultation.