Substance use counseling in Arvada, CO
SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT FOR BEHAVIOR CHANGE
If you’re questioning your relationship with alcohol, marijuana or other substances, that’s often the first sign something needs attention.
You might be:
drinking or smoking more than you want to
using substances to cope with stress
trying to cut back but struggling
wondering if your habits are becoming a problem
I provide substance use and addiction counseling support in Colorado focused on helping you change patterns and build healthier ways of coping.
It’s not just about the behavior.
Substance use is often connected to:
stress and overwhelm
emotional avoidance
habit patterns
disconnection
If you only focus on stopping, without understanding the why, change can be hard to sustain. We’ll look at what’s actually happening and build a plan that works for you - whether that means cutting out, cutting back or changing patterns.
What we work on in substance use counseling
Understand your substance use patterns → Looking at when, where and how you use.
Identify triggers → Recognizing emotional and situational factors driving the behavior.
Address underlying emotion → Working with needs, fears and vulnerabilities that may be contributing to use.
Create behavior change → Developing realistic strategies to reduce or change use.
My approach to substance use counseling
Substance use can feel like a cycle that’s difficult to break, and many people struggle with shame, isolation, or guilt around their behavior. Substance Use Counseling provides a safe, supportive space to explore not just the use itself, but the deeper emotional and relational factors that contribute to it. My approach combines attachment-informed, systemic work (e.g., Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS)) with Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help you understand your patterns, build awareness, and create lasting change.
Through this work we explore how early relationships and connection, or lack of it, impact how you cope with stress, discomfort, or emotional pain. Often, substance use serves a function, such as numbing anxiety, managing loneliness, or regulating overwhelming emotions. By understanding these underlying needs or parts, we can develop healthier ways to meet them without relying on substances.
Motivational Interviewing is integrated throughout, helping you clarify your personal goals, explore ambivalence, and strengthen your motivation for change. Rather than telling you what to do, I guide you in discovering why change matters to you, creating a sense of ownership and empowerment that drives sustainable growth.
In sessions, you’ll develop insight, emotional regulation, and practical strategies to interrupt cycles of use, handle triggers, and respond to cravings with intention. Substance Use Counseling is for anyone ready to move toward a deeper understanding of how you relate to yourself and others - building connection, resilience, and freedom from patterns that no longer serve you.
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a research-based approach for couples and individuals that helps identify and understand emotional patterns driving conflict or disconnection. By focusing on attachment needs and emotional responses, EFT helps create deeper connection, trust, and lasting change in relationships.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that helps you understand and work with the different “parts” of yourself - those inner voices, feelings, and patterns that often conflict or create stress. By recognizing, understanding, and integrating these parts, you can heal past wounds, reduce inner conflict, and develop a stronger sense of self.
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Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-focused approach that helps you explore and strengthen your motivation for change. It’s particularly effective for substance use, behavioral changes, or any area where ambivalence makes progress difficult. MI emphasizes support, curiosity, and empowerment rather than pressure or judgment.
NEED SOMETHING ELSE?
Other services
THERAPY FOR COUPLES
Stuck in the same conflicts, feeling unheard and more like roommates than partners? Ready to break those patterns, communicate more effectively and reconnect? Reach out today to get started.
THERAPY FOR MEN
Feeling stressed, shut down or stuck in your head? Struggling with your relationship or at work? Therapy for men can help you gain the skills you need to show up confidently and effectively.
THERAPY FOR EMOTIONAL CLARITY
Stress and overwhelm can lead us to overthinking, overreacting, or shutting down completely. Find emotional clarity through mindfulness and regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. You don’t have to be ready to quit or even desire to quit entirely to benefit from therapy. I meet you where you are, whether your goal is to reduce use, stop completely, or simply understand your patterns better. Change often starts with awareness and support, not pressure.
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Absolutely not. This is a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your experiences openly. The focus is on understanding, insight, and sustainable change, not shame or criticism.
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That’s common. Past attempts give important insight into what didn’t work and what barriers exist. In therapy, we focus on building a new approach that addresses the underlying patterns, emotions, and triggers so change feels more achievable and lasting.
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Yes. Substance use is often connected to stress, relationships, emotional regulation, and life challenges. Therapy addresses the full picture, helping you develop healthier coping strategies and improve overall well-being, not just reduce or stop use.
