Substance use therapy for teens & young adults in Boulder

Let's start with a few things I wish everyone knew before they ever called a therapist.

You're not broken. A complicated relationship with alcohol or drugs doesn't make you a bad person or a lost cause. It's a really common, really human thing, and it almost always makes sense once you understand what it's doing for you.

You don't need a label. You don't have to call yourself an "addict" or an "alcoholic" to get support here. You don't even have to be sure there's a problem. If your use is on your mind enough that you're reading this, that's reason enough to talk.

You don't have to hit rock bottom first. That whole idea, that things have to fall apart before you deserve help, is a myth, and it's kept a lot of people stuck. There's no "too soon." Honestly, earlier is easier.

And your goal is yours. Some people want to quit completely. Some want to cut back or use more safely. Some just want a healthier relationship with substances and aren't sure yet what that looks like. Any of those is a real, valid goal, and we'll work toward the one you actually want. I will never pressure you to quit or push a program you don't believe in.

How I actually work with substance use

I've spent more than ten years working on alcohol and drug use, both as a researcher and a clinician. It's the thing I know best. In session, we get curious instead of judgmental: what's the use doing for you, what tends to set it off, what's it costing you, and what would you like to be different? I lean on motivational interviewing (a way of talking through change without anyone lecturing you) and CBT (practical skills for the moments when you'd usually reach for a drink or a substance). Because heavy use so often rides alongside anxiety, depression, or old trauma, we'll pay attention to those too. They're usually part of the same story.

What our first steps look like

We start with a free 15-minute consult, no pressure. If it's a fit, I usually recommend a full evaluation first so we understand what's driving the use and whether anything else is in the mix. Then we get to work on your goal, on your timeline, in person in Boulder or online.

Who I work with

I work with teens, college students, and young adults across the whole range, from someone who's just started wondering if they're drinking more than they meant to, to someone who's tried to cut back before and it didn't stick. And if you're a parent who's scared about your teen's drinking or drug use, you're not overreacting, and there are things that help even before your teen is ready to come in.