Substance Abuse Therapy in Lynnwood, WA

Compassionate, Real Therapy for Women Ready to Break Free from Substance Use Patterns

If you're here, something inside you is telling you that you're ready for something different. Maybe you're tired of using substances to cope with overwhelming emotions, or maybe you're exhausted from living patterns that don't serve you anymore. I'm here to tell you that what you're going through makes complete sense, and real healing is possible.

I'm a mental health professional who specializes in substance abuse therapy for women in Lynnwood, WA. I work with sensitive, intelligent women who are exhausted from over-functioning, taking care of everyone else, and never learning how to sit with their own emotions. If you've been using substances to quiet anxiety, escape depression, or simply survive in a world that feels too harsh, I understand.

Understanding Substance Use Disorder: You're Not Broken

Let's get real about substance use disorder. It's not a moral failing or lack of willpower – it's a complex condition that affects your brain's reward and motivation systems. When you have substance use disorder, your brain chemistry changes in ways that make it incredibly difficult to stop substance use, even when you desperately want to.

Many women develop substance use patterns as a way to cope with:

  • Overwhelming anxiety and racing thoughts

  • Depression and emotional numbness

  • Unprocessed trauma responses

  • Overstimulation from being a mom 

  • Social anxiety and feeling like you don't belong

  • The exhaustion of constantly performing an "acceptable" version of yourself

The same sensitivity that might have led you to substance use is actually your superpower. We don't need to get rid of your sensitivity – we need to help you learn how to work with it instead of against it.

“There is no addiction without trauma.”

— Gabor Mate

My Approach: Evidence-Based Treatment That Actually Works

I'm not the mental health professional who's going to sit back and just listen to you talk for 50 minutes. I’m the one who will be engaged from the first minute to the last, attuned to your mood, feelings and experiences in session. You need someone who's going to be fully present, see through the stories you tell yourself, and help you figure out what you actually want your life to look like.

Therapeutic Approaches I Use:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is incredibly effective for substance use disorder treatment because it helps you get clear on what really matters to you. Instead of fighting against uncomfortable thoughts and feelings (which often drives substance use), we'll work on accepting these experiences while moving toward the life you actually want.

Brainspotting
This powerful approach helps us access and process trauma and difficult emotions stored in your body. Sometimes the reasons we use substances are held in places that traditional behavioral therapy can't reach. Brainspotting works with your brain's natural healing capacity in a gentle but effective way.

Person-Centered Therapy
You're the expert on your own life. I'm not here to tell you what you should do – I'm here to help you reconnect with your own inner wisdom and trust yourself again.

Intuitive Eating Therapy
Many women have complicated relationships with food alongside substance use. We'll explore developing a healthy, intuitive relationship with nourishment that supports your overall recovery.

I also offer intensive sessions for deeper work and facilitate women's therapy groups that provide peer support alongside individual treatment.

What Makes My Treatment Different

Unlike traditional treatment programs that follow rigid structures, my approach is highly individualized to meet your specific needs. What works for one person's recovery may not work for another, and effective treatment should reflect that.

I understand what it's like to be a sensitive person trying to make it in a world that often feels overwhelming. I won't pretend that recovery is just about willpower or positive thinking. We live in a culture that's difficult for sensitive women – you're expected to be everything to everyone while staying perfectly put-together. How tiring is that?! 

In our work together, we'll address both internal factors (thoughts, feelings, nervous system responses) and external factors (relationships, environment, stressors). Real healing happens when we look at the whole picture.

Common Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Substance use disorder rarely exists alone. I frequently work with women experiencing:

Anxiety Disorders

Overwhelming, constant worry that shows up as racing thoughts, physical symptoms, or a sense that something bad is about to happen. For many women, anxiety is actually rooted in perfectionism – the exhausting belief that you have to be flawless to be acceptable. When you're constantly monitoring yourself to avoid making mistakes or disappointing others, your nervous system stays in a state of hypervigilance. We'll address both the anxiety symptoms and the perfectionist patterns driving them, teaching your nervous system new ways to find calm and develop effective coping skills.

Binge Eating Disorder
Often co-occurs with substance use disorder because both involve using something external to cope with internal distress. We'll work on developing healthy relationships with both food and substances.

Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
If you've been in manipulative or controlling relationships, it can leave you questioning reality and struggling to trust yourself. This trauma often drives substance use as a way to cope with confusion and pain.

Research shows that treating co-occurring mental health conditions simultaneously leads to better outcomes and helps prevent relapse more effectively than addressing issues separately.

The Recovery Process: What to Expect

Initial Consultation

We'll start with a free consultation to discuss what's happening for you and determine if we're a good fit. I want to ensure I'm the right mental health professional for your specific needs.

Intake and Assessment

During our longer intake session, we'll explore your history with substance use, current challenges, what you've tried before, and your recovery goals. We'll build the rapport that's crucial for effective treatment.

Consistent Scheduling

Unlike other healthcare providers who schedule session by session, I provide a consistent day and time (like every Monday at 10am) and schedule in three-month blocks. This stability is crucial for recovery.

Personalized Treatment Plan

We'll create a highly individualized approach that addresses your unique circumstances, strengths, and goals. Your recovery journey is yours alone.

Understanding Withdrawal Symptoms and Early Recovery

If you're considering reducing or stopping substance use, withdrawal symptoms are a normal part of the process. These can include anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep problems, physical discomfort, and drug cravings. 

As a mental health professional, I'll help you understand what to expect and develop strategies to manage withdrawal symptoms safely. For some substances, medical supervision may be necessary, and I can help connect you with healthcare providers specializing in addiction medicine.

Remember: experiencing withdrawal symptoms doesn't mean you're weak. It means your body is adjusting to functioning without substances – actually a sign that healing is beginning.

Building Your Recovery Toolkit

One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is watching women discover their unique set of coping skills. Some find mindfulness and meditation help manage cravings, while others connect with creative expression or physical movement.

We'll work on:

  • Identifying personal triggers for substance use

  • Developing healthy coping skills for stressful situations

  • Learning to process emotions without numbing them

  • Creating a life that feels fulfilling and authentic

  • Building supportive relationships and community

The key is discovering what genuinely works for you, not what you think should work or what worked for someone else.

Why Choose Specialized Substance Abuse Therapy?

Many traditional treatment approaches were developed based on research with men and don't account for how women experience addiction differently. Women's substance use disorder is often tied to trauma, relationship dynamics, and societal pressures that require specialized understanding.

I integrate trauma-informed care into all my substance use disorder treatment because trauma and addiction are so interconnected. When we address underlying trauma alongside the addiction, we're much more likely to achieve lasting recovery.

Creating a Life Worth Living Sober

Recovery isn't just about stopping substance use – it's about creating a life so fulfilling that you don't want to escape from it. This means:

  • Getting clear on what actually matters to you

  • Setting boundaries that protect your energy

  • Finding ways to express your authentic self

  • Addressing relationships or situations that keep you stuck

  • Developing meaning and purpose beyond avoiding substances

When you start living in alignment with who you really are, you naturally have less need to numb out or escape.

Support Systems and Community

While individual therapy is essential, recovery often involves rebuilding social connections. This might mean finding new friends who support your goals, learning to navigate social situations without substances, or addressing family dynamics that contributed to your substance use.

I facilitate women's therapy groups that provide powerful peer support. There's something magical about connecting with other women who understand your experience. Support groups offer accountability and community that can be crucial for maintaining recovery.

When appropriate, involving family members in treatment can help create a more supportive environment for your healing journey.

Common Concerns About Starting Treatment

  • We can start wherever you are. Maybe you're sober, curious and want to explore what life might look like with less reliance on substances. Maybe you want to understand your patterns before committing to stopping entirely. I won't pressure you into changes you're not ready for.

  • Your privacy is completely protected. I follow strict confidentiality guidelines.

  • There are many treatment options, and finding the right fit is crucial. Just because one approach didn't work doesn't mean therapy won't help you.

  • You don't have to hit rock bottom to deserve support. If substances are causing any problems in your life, that's enough reason to seek treatment. One question to ask yourself is “what role does this substance play in my life and what would my life look like without it?”

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you've made it this far, something inside you knows you're ready for change. Not the kind where you become someone different, but where you become more of who you really are underneath all the coping mechanisms.

Recovery isn't about perfection – it's about progress, self-compassion, and learning to trust yourself again. It's about creating a life that feels sustainable and authentic.

I'm here to walk alongside you on this journey, providing the tools, support, and expertise you need to heal and thrive. You don't have to figure this out alone, and you definitely don't have to wait until things get worse.

The woman you are underneath all the survival strategies? She's still there, and she's worth fighting for.

Ready to start your healing journey? Contact me today for a free consultation to see if we're a good fit for working together. Recovery is possible, and you deserve to live authentically and free.

Serving women in Lynnwood, WA and surrounding areas through both in-person and online therapy sessions.