Adolescent and young adult students struggling with behavioral or emotional challenges are often at risk for substance abuse. As a result, evaluating clients for substance use and providing preventive measures such as substance abuse education and addiction counseling are often a part of treatment for individuals at this stage of development.
Whether you are a teen, young adult or adult, substance use, abuse or dependency can be a significant detriment and complication to your mental health and relationships, and derail pursuit of your goals. I maintain a high level of up-to-date knowledge and treatment skills in order to provide comprehensive counseling in this area.
I generally separate clients into three life stages and program for their specific developmental needs.
- Adolescence
- Young Adult ages 18-23 and,
- Adult
Evaluation
All services begin with an evaluation to determine appropriate intervention strategies at the beginning of treatment. The evaluation is used to determine the severity of need and direction of treatment. The history of substance use, past treatment efforts, mental health complications, family history of mental health, substance abuse or other abuse histories and living environment, physical health and employment situations are all taken under consideration. The different types of evaluations I perform include:
- Mental health and mental status examinations
- Substance abuse evaluations
- Court evaluations (where an individual has a pending criminal case)
- Family Law case evaluations (where an individual or couple is going through a divorce or custody situation that requires a mental heath or substances abuse evaluation as a result of history or allegations)
- Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) evaluations (I am ASAM certified and listed on the Virginia Alcohol Safety (VASAP) list for evaluators and treatment)
- Anger management
I can address the concerns highlighted from the evaluation with:
Individual and Family Therapy
Individual and family therapy focuses on the root causes of substance abuse issues, providing insight, coping skills, support and tools for change.
Group Therapy
Treatment groups are a useful vehicle for growth, support and change. In our groups, you are with others who understand your situation and can assist in helping you to make the behavior changes necessary for continued growth. Groups can be used as a primary treatment tool or in conjunction with individual or family therapy depending on your needs. Group topics can include:
- Substance abuse education and associated topics
- Differentiating between substance use, substance abuse and chemical dependency
- Managing mental health issues such anxiety, depression, or attention issues
- Relapse and recovery
- Differences between introversion and extroversion
- Life skills
- Anger management strategies
- Recovery skills and strategies
- Court, school, and social service system management
- Developing positive coping skills
Substance Abuse Education
Substance abuse education workshops can be utilized as a tool for a base of treatment as well as to comply with any school, court or other system mandate for an education class.
This service can be provided individually, in a family setting, or in group workshop format. In addition to my standard education format, I can format programs to address specific time frame requirements when needed (e.g. a jurisdiction has mandated 12 hours of substance abuse education so I would build an individualized program for you to meet those needs).
Please contact me for specific information and upcoming group workshops.
Drug Screening and/or Sober Link Monitoring
Drug screening is utilized as a tool in the evaluation process as well as during the course of treatment to document the client’s efforts at abstinence and sobriety. Sober Link is a hand held breathalyzer tool used to assist clients with accountability as well as document their success with abstinence from alcohol.
We will discuss the needs and the process for facilitating these strategies as a component of the work we do together.