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What do addiction counselors do?
Therapists and clinicians who treat addiction will conduct a comprehensive medical and psychiatric screening and then work to address both a person’s substance abuse or behavioral compulsion as well as any co-occurring physical or mental-health conditions. A patient’s family is typically asked to meet with counselors and take an active role in supporting their treatment program as well.
Who can diagnose addiction?
An addiction can be diagnosed by a mental health professional who will determine if an individual is displaying symptoms such as using a substance (or engaging in an activity) longer than intended; continuing it despite its disruption of their personal or professional lives; feeling a strong craving for it; and experiencing withdrawal in its absence. A clinician will also gauge the severity of a patient’s addiction, and their desire to stop, before devising a treatment plan.What is the best form of treatment for addiction?
Many therapists believe a patient’s commitment to change is more important than what type of therapy they select. Detoxification is typically prescribed as a foundational step, sometimes accompanied by medications to counter the use of addictive substances or treat underlying issues such as depression or anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy sessions, as well as group therapy or peer-support programs and family therapy, often begin at the same time. Some patients work with individual therapists, while others work with a team at an outpatient clinic, and a smaller number commit to long-term residential facilities.
Can you overcome addiction with therapy?
Substance use disorders are treatable and full remission is often achievable, although it may require a substantial commitment of time, and success may be gradual. Relapses are common enough to be seen by many therapists as a normal part of the process. People who subscribe to the so-called disease model of addiction view it is a lifelong condition that can never be “cured,” but for those who achieve remission of an addiction disorder for five years, research suggests, the likelihood of relapse is no greater than for the general population, and successful treatment has been found to reverse changes in brain circuitry that had made substance use so hard to control.For many, video games are often a means of escapism. While the hobby brings a source of enjoyment for many, it can also evolve into an addiction.
A New Opportunities counselor is working to educate parents and grandparents on when to spot video game addiction with their kids.
Dorinda Wehde, the problem gambling treatment counselor for New Opportunities, has provided presentations across the five counties she serves — including Carroll, Greene, Audubon, Guthrie and Sac — discussing how gaming addictions can negatively affect children.
“I know it’s a real struggle now, because they kind of have seemed to just kind of taken over,” Wehde said. “Anything that has to do with your phone, social media, Facebook, TikTok, all these things seem to have taken over our lives and the younger generation are the ones that are the most vulnerable to all of that.”
Visiting local libraries, Wehde discusses the similarities between specific video games and gambling.
For example, many video games offer a feature called “loot boxes,” which are in-game mystery items players can obtain, often by paying in-game currency or real money. Popular games such as Counter-Strike utilize these mechanics.
The items can be cosmetic, such as new skins or armor for the player character.
Wehde said loot boxes often blur the line between gambling and gaming, as they encourage gamers to pay money for a chance at winning something better.
“People are putting their money on these mystery boxes, they don’t know what’s in them, but they have a chance of getting something that they want,” Wehde said. “But it’s only a chance, it’s not a sure thing.”
Signs of a possible gaming disorder in children include abrupt changes in the amount of money they have, changes in mood or irritability, higher rates of anxiety or depression and withdrawing socially.
“One of the telltale signs of a youngster that might be becoming addicted is if they’re playing their game and you ask them to stop and come have lunch or stop and come do something else and they get really angry, really upset and almost violent,” Wehde said. “That’s a sign that they might be playing too much or becoming addicted.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), gaming disorder is recognized in their International Classification of Diseases. While it’s recognized in other countries, Wehde pointed out how the United States has not classified gaming disorder as a separate disorder.
As a means to help prevent their children from developing the disorder, Wehde encourages parents to be involved with their kid’s gaming.
While their kids are gaming, Wehde advises parents to ask questions about the game and play alongside them to understand the content.
“At least come in and have a conversation with them about it,” Wehde said. “What is this game? What is your goal? What are you trying to accomplish? How do you do that?”
Wehde also shares the importance of setting limits with video games.
“It’s basically saying, yes, it’s okay to play a video game, but you’re limited to this much time, or say you have to get your homework done first,” Wehde said.
Since she started working as a full-time counselor, Wehde said none of the clients she’s worked with had gaming addiction.
Regardless, Wehde decided to share the information as a way to help parents and grandparents concerned about their child’s gaming habits.
“The majority of the feedback is from somebody that has a child that they’re concerned about,” Wehde said. “And so I would say that even though I haven’t specifically worked with them, I am optimistic I’ve been able to help in some way.”
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Footnotes: Family Counseling Services
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Is your body trying to tell you something, but you’re ignoring the insomnia, the stomach pains, shortness of breath and the heart palpitations? Maybe some days you feel like you are stuck in the mud unable to get motivated or find the energy to accomplish what you need to. Maybe you feel that it is your relationship with your spouse that is bringing you down and you want to learn how, when and what to change to get the spark back into your relationship. I have 22 years of speciality in the treatment of mental health difficulties and relationship conflict.
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Are you struggling with grief? trauma? anxiety? infertility? Are you finding it difficult navigating a change in your life? I might be a good fit for you if you’re looking for a therapist who can be validating and challenging to help you move your life forward. I’m not just the “sit and nod” therapist. I believe it’s important to see each individual as the unique person they are. As we work together, I utilize education and feedback to help you gain more insight into yourself and help you live the life you want to live.
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I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, addictions, relationship issues, & coping with grief and loss. You will have an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear or judgement. I believe in a whole-person approach and use integrative models of therapy and relaxation.
Natasha M Kellenberger
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
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A life shared is what we all strive for, however relationships can be very challenging at times. When you take two people and bring them together you are also combining different learning styles, communication styles, experiences and how you perceive a situation. The goal is to communicate effectively by being able to share what you think and how you feel.
Dr. Nelly Bonilla
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I am a bilingual Christian psychologist who, through a comprehensive approach, seeks to help you develop resilience and well-being so that you can achieve your life goals.
Are you wondering how past traumatic events are impacting your life? Would you like to heal from childhood trauma? Or, do you describe yourself as an angry and resentful person, and you would like to manage your emotions in a healthier way? Or, do you need to feel understood and not judged? If any of these scenarios describe you, you need a safe space to fully express all aspects of what you are experiencing in order to find emotional well-being.
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Traditional Christian values are a cornerstone to my therapeutic approach.
** Please contact me if you would like to be placed on a waiting list.** As your child approaches the door, do you wonder how today went? Do you worry the school will call or that she held it together and will "lose it" at home? Is your child struggling most days? Does he or she have difficulty with managing emotions, focusing, making friends, worries, or fears. Does he or she often look sad or worried? Is your once engaging child withdrawn, angry, or argumentative? You've tried everything you know and are at a loss to help. Does nothing seems to work? Perhaps you feel like a failure as a parent. You don't have to do this alone.
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I have over 20 years experience in a variety of settings and specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and Christian counseling.
Trauma leaves us feeling broken, damaged, and disconnected from our true selves. You may feel like no one understands you; isolated from friends and family because they aren’t experiencing the same thing, or cut off from your faith because this feels so hard. You might not even remember a time when you didn’t feel this way, but you are absolutely certain it’s time for a change. You’re ready to step out of the shadow of feeling anxious and overwhelmed and back into the light, out from under the weight of your anxiety and depression. Most of all, you’re ready to find a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in your life.
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Struggling with life-satisfaction or relationships that leave you stressed, angry, anxious, or depressed? I intimately understand the mental and emotional gymnastics of self-guided solutions which may be an emotional rollercoaster. Are parenting responsibilities or dealing with someone's ADHD characteristics a confusing process? I have successfully worked with children with ADD/ADHD utilizing a patented neurofeedback technology which works to increase focus, reduce distracting behaviors, and susceptibility to audio and visual distractions.
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As a Christian therapist specializing in EMDR & CBT for trauma and anxiety, I help individual adults create positive coping skills to navigate anxiety and depression and process traumatic memories.
Dealing with constant worry, anxiety, or self-doubt can feel like an uphill battle. Events from your past might be affecting your day-to-day life, causing you to carry unnecessary guilt, shame, or fear. Maybe you feel like, no matter what you do, you simply aren’t good enough. Or maybe you’ve reached the end of your rope with flashbacks, nightmares, sleep issues, or anxiety attacks. No matter if you suffer from anxiety that you can’t explain or are able to trace your challenges back to specific events in your past, I am here to help you navigate from hurt to healing. At this time, I have daytime/weekday availability!
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As a Christian clinical intern, I specialize in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), CBT, and Narrative Therapy through a biblical lens.
I have a passion working with couples, families, parents, adolescents, coaches, and athletes. Whether a couple or client is coming in with feelings of loneliness, separation, frustration, anxiousness, depression, shame, or helplessness, I strive to create a space for every person to share their story and grow into the person they desire to be.
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We are therapists with Christian values who, through a comprehensive approach, seek to help you develop resilience and well-being so that you can achieve your life goals.
Do you need a therapist who speaks Spanish and with whom you can express yourself freely? We are accepting new clients from Florida, Minnesota, and Puerto Rico! If your emotions take control of your life, or anxiety and depression are affecting your functioning. Or if you feel unstable and without tools in your relationship with your partner or with others, we are here to help you. The feelings you experience can be exhausting, and frightening, and you don't deserve to continue suffering from this without help. We are here to walk with you, support you, and empower you on your journey to a happy, fulfilling, and purposeful life.
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As a Christian psychotherapist, I have a passion for the health of relationships. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship problems or other concerns, my goal is to provide a safe and caring place for respect, understanding and true change to occur. Proven psychological methods are carefully used in a manner consistent with Christian values and truths to provide you with the experience of lasting change and personal growth. With over 68,000 hours of counseling experience I will provide the help you need, or I will help you find the assistance you need.
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As a Christian , I believe God meets us in our sufferings, and offers us true hope.
Simply put, life can be hard, no matter how we frame it. Whether you are battling crippling anxiety, struggling to get out of bed in the morning, or struggling to find hope amidst the constant changes and stresses of life, hope can sometimes be hard to find. Maybe you're unsure why you react to certain situations the way you do, or struggle to understand your emotions. Maybe you feel stuck, or just want to be seen and heard.
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Christian Therapists
Why is it important for a therapist to be culturally sensitive?
Therapists and clients don’t need to share the same belief system or background to be able to work effectively together, but a therapist whose training includes a focus on cultural competence may be better able to form a therapeutic bond with individuals from a range of backgrounds, as they will have experience in tailoring their approach to each client—and will be prepared to acknowledge and consider the effects of culture, religion, and other factors on each individual.
Why is it important to find a therapist sensitive to Christian values?
Each person brings a unique history and background to therapy, making it important to find a licensed therapist who is trained in a broad range of treatment modalities. In addition, for people who grow up in a faith tradition that strongly influences the way they conduct their everyday life, finding a therapist who understands or shares that background can ease the disclosure of sensitive information and facilitate the therapeutic process. For some clients, a Christian therapist is likely to incorporate faith-based principles into emotional healing techniques.
How do I recognize an effective Christian therapist?
Christian therapists are licensed mental health professionals—holding a master’s or doctoral degree in medicine, nursing, psychology, counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy—who are also familiar with Christian beliefs and values. They have an understanding of the importance that Christian principles play in the lives of individuals and families, which allows them to be especially sensitive to the kinds of struggles that can affect daily functioning. Like all effective therapists, a Christian therapist will have undergone training and certification in a variety of treatment modalities that help people through crises and enable them to master the challenges of life.
Why might someone feel comfortable with a Christian therapist?
While training, qualifications, and experience are always important, research has long established that a strong alliance between client and therapist is a major contributor to therapeutic success. An alliance is likely to be strengthened with a therapist who not only is responsive to questions and concerns but also shares a client’s faith and values. Sensitivity to spiritual matters as well as to everyday struggles can provide a welcome sense of safety and contribute to the bond between client and therapist, both of which support the therapeutic process.
Who is included in Psychology Today’s directory of Christian therapists?
The directory of Christian therapists includes professionals who have shared their background in their profiles. However, not all therapists choose to disclose this information, and they may not appear in search results for this reason. The directory also shows therapists who indicate that they have extensive experience working with Christian clients, regardless of their own background or religious affiliation.
Rick Mitchell remembers when he saw it highlighted on a map.
The director of Bristol Lifestyle Recovery, a residential substance abuse treatment program, Mitchell was attending a conference. A population map was put up showing the areas of the country with the most severe meth addiction crises. The areas highlighted included Miami, New York City, Chicago, and the Tri-Cities region of western Virginia and eastern Tennessee.
The region has one of the most critical drug problems in the world, but no formal education programs in the area to help address it, Mitchell observed.
Of the news that Emory & Henry College School of Health Sciences plans to launch a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling Program this fall, Mitchell said, “We are ecstatic.”
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Dr. Stephanie Rutledge, the founding chair for E&H’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling department that will host the degree, shared his enthusiasm. She lauded the college continuing to invest in the mental health program.
Rutledge said the addiction-oriented degree program is part of E&H’s strategic plan to help meet this region’s needs. “We’re a mental health [care] desert basically,” she said.
Behavioral health data taken from state and Community Service Boards (CSB) backs up that description.
For Smyth and Washington counties, the mental health provider to potential patients ratio is 485 to 1.
Over the last decade, CSB behavioral health needs have increased by 10%.
For youth, in Smyth, more than 30% self-report being depressed and more than 10% say they’ve considered suicide. In Washington County, 39.4% of youth reported depression, while 12.5% said they’d thought about suicide.
In the 2023 State of Mental Health report, Virginia was ranked 39th regarding the ratio of mental health patients to mental health professionals. This Health Resources and Services Administration designates this region as a High Needs Mental Health Professional Shortage Area.
At the same time as the need for behavioral health care is growing, providers are struggling to find counselors and other providers. Rutledge pointed to ongoing vacancies and the use of sign-on bonuses at the Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Marion.
Mitchell described the necessity for providers as glaring.
Despite the need, Rutledge said, there’s not a comparable degree program to E&H’s in the region.
The online program is a 60-credit, 24-month program, consisting of six consecutive semesters.
Rutledge said it will put an informed focus on the role of trauma “and how it plays a part in addiction.”
Mitchell backs that move fully. “More often than not,” he said, addiction “is a trauma response.”
Mitchell has worked in the substance abuse field for more than 30 years. He’s proud of a accurate expansion of Bristol Lifestyle Recovery, which went from 66 beds to 80. Still, he said, demand is exceeding capacity.
Leaders began to reach out to several grad schools about the need to train counselors. Mitchell’s daughter was an E&H grad and he naturally turned the college, knowing of its existing mental health program.
The specialized addiction classes that will be offered in this counseling degree, he said, will provide the future providers extra competence and understanding of the process.
It’s critical, he said, that addicts are guided to not try to “take too big steps” or move too quickly and set themselves up for failure.
Mitchell also believes much of “basic human stuff” such as compassion and non-judgmental listening play key roles. “Connection,” he said, “is the opposite of addiction.”
John Graham, who is helping lead the development of an in-patient treatment center in Marion known as the Appalachian Center for Hope, is grateful for E&H’s decision to add the addiction counseling program. He envisions students not only becoming providers at the center but also learning there.
“From the first semester, students will be engaged in experiential learning that comes to life in our hybrid courses,” said Rutledge.
The program, she said, “will include three weeks of clinical work in addiction counseling with an emphasis on evidence based practices.”
Graduates of the program will be eligible to apply for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential and apply to become a resident in counseling, which would open up multiple career opportunities in a variety of settings, including community mental health agencies, substance abuse treatment programs, colleges, hospitals, residential treatment programs, employee assistance programs, and social service agencies.
Rutledge, who possesses extensive experience in counselor education and program accreditation, including serving as department chair in a large graduate program in New Jersey, noted that a program director has been hired and was expected to start work last week.
After receiving $8.1 million in grants, East Los Angeles College’s Psychology Department and its Addiction Studies program is looking to expand services and opportunities to students.
This marks the largest amount of money in grants given to the department as well as one of the largest ever in ELAC. The funding is divided into several grants to support different parts of their department.
This includes $6.1 million going towards their program to train and place new substance use disorder counselors as well as $1.5 million going towards their apprenticeship program.
According to grant writer and Addiction Studies Program Evaluator Lou Hughes, the reason they started applying for these grants was to meet a growing need.
“For many years, ELAC’s Addiction Studies department has been involved with training substance use disorder counselors,” Hughes says. “And we found out starting two or three years ago that there’s a tremendous shortage right now.”
With substance use on the rise, educating new counselors is more important than ever, says Addiction Studies program director Lisa Vartanian.
“The pandemic was not kind to the world of addiction,” says Vartanian. “There were a lot more relapses. People were home. Drug use increased. Alcoholism increased. And so these treatment centers, people were going in for treatment, and we don’t have enough counselors.”
The Addiction Studies program is a part of ELAC’s Psychology Department and consists of a curriculum of 10 classes and two internships before students become state certified addiction counselors. But to get their first certificate in preventative measure, all students need to take is three classes. Vartanian says that in providing more funding to their program, it allows students to have a more accessible fast track to a career in counseling.
“This is a great job for people, particularly if you’re going to be a psychology major,” she says. “You can’t see clients until you have a Master’s level, but now here as an addiction counselor, you can start getting in there, doing counseling before you get to that.”
Another side of their program is supporting underrepresented communities, including those who were formerly incarcerated. To Vartanian, socioeconomic backgrounds should not be a barrier in the pursuit of a career.
“Minority students are low socioeconomic, and we’re helping them create change in their family,” says Varitanian. “We also work a lot with the formerly incarcerated because your forensic history does not affect your ability to secure employment in the field of addiction treatment.”
With these new grants, Hughes hopes that it can serve as a precedent for other addiction studies programs across California.
“We look at this as a giant project we have at least for East L.A. College, but there are so many areas throughout the state because ELAC is one of [116] community colleges,” says Hughes. “So we see this as a good model for supporting communities.”
Varitanian is optimistic for the future, believing that furthering their reach will push aspiring students to make an impact in their community.
“You take three classes, you can get in there, start telling the youth about the dangers of alcohol and drugs,” she says. “If you have a passion for helping people, this is a very direct way to do it.”
