Seeking a Therapist for Alcohol or Drug Addiction
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
- Therapy for Alcoholic mom of young child
- Straight-talking therapist for 20-something alcoholic
- Therapist experienced with alcohol addiction
- Couples therapist experienced with alcoholism
- Husband doesn't want to go to AA, wants a therapist
Therapy for Alcoholic mom of young child
June 2007
Does anyone have a recommendation for a therapist to help a mother of young children witih alcohol abuse issues? This person is drinking daily to help cope with the stress of full time work and parenthood. She is not ready to attend a group, but wants to first start with some one on one therapy. Someone located in the Berkeley/Oakland area would be best. anon
I recommend Lynn Elliott-Harding, R.N., CEAP. She's on 5478A College Avenue Oakland, CA 94618 (510) 654-9491. She has special expertise in nutrition, addiction/alcoholism, and parenting.
Christie Rigg-- she knows addiction, and she's a wonderful, non-judgemental ear. She's in El Cerrito on San Pablo Avenue. 510-287-5845 Anon
James Wogan, LCSW is a very good therapist on College Ave in Oakland. He knows addictions really well. I also highly recommend him for anything related to raising children. He can be reached at (510) 277-0184. Mother of 2
Straight-talking therapist for 20-something alcoholic
Jan 2007
i'm looking for recommendations for a therapist for my brother, who is an alcoholic/addict and also struggles with some depression issues. he's a 20-something white male, tends to be a bit more conservative than your average berkeley resident, very intelligent, and doesn't tend to buy into they whole ''psycho-babble'' thing. he oscillates between acknowledging his need for help and denial. during those times when he wants help, i try to provide him with resources.
he needs someone with whom he can have intelligent discussions and can give him some ''straight talk''. he has had trouble finding a good therapist that he can really connect with, respects, and with whom he can establish a relationship. i'm looking for suggestions so that i can be ready to provide him with the next time he's looking! please--any recommendations for therapists out there who might be able to deal with addiction & depression issues, and who also may be able to connect with a young male dealing with all of these issues? THANKS! concerned sis
I can recommend a wonderful therapist in Berkeley for your brother. He specializes in family and adolescent therapy (also works with substance abuse). He also works with adults. He is very individualized in his approach, doesn't adhere to any certain ''isms'' or treatments du jour. His name is Anthony Guarnieri, phone 510.845.8499. Email me if you'd like more info, or to talk. Claudia
I would recommend Dr. Heftsi Assaf for help with your brother. She is an intelligent and extremely insightful woman who individualizes her treatment to her client's needs. She does not use scientific terms, but speaks as one intelligent person to another. I have referred patients to her in the past with great success. While I have never been in treatment with her myself, I have found her counsel and advice to be a godsend when I have needed it. While your brother must find out for himself whether she is a good ''match'' for him, I recommend her without reservation for this situation. 510 869 5009. Good Luck Elizabeth
I would like to refer you to an outstanding psychologist with extensive experience in helping people with substance abuse problems and recovery. Her name is Martha Schmitz, Ph.D. 510-595-4195. She is located in Oakland near the Rockridge BART station. judy
Therapist experienced with alcohol addiction
June 2006
I need a recommendation for a therapist in the Oakland/Berkeley area who accepts Blue Cross HMO and has experience dealing with problems related to addiction (alcohol addiction and anxiety/depression issues that can come with it). I've checked the archives, but nothing recent fit the bill - thanks
Alexandra Howells specializes in working with clients with addictions. She can work with the individual and if needed she can work with partners and family as well. 510-869-4394 anon
Erika Masak-Goldman 469-4691 Works in the Grand Lake area. Used to work at Thunder Road, experienced working w families and teens. Dry humor, straightforward and clear, zany -- even takes insurance! We found her after many requests for referrals.
anon mom
Husband doesn't want to go to AA, wants a therapist
Jan 2006
I am looking for a recommendation for a female therapist who can help my husband work through emotions resulting from attempting to quit drinking. He doesn't want to go to Alcoholics Anonymous, but is willing to go to a therapist. When he tries to quit drinking he feels bored and like life is kind of pointless - he's very uncomfortable talking about this stuff. It's like pulling teeth to get him to talk to me about it at all, so I need someone who he'll feel safe enough to open up with - we want a female who is also committed to him making progress and not just going to automatically look to prescription drugs to alter the emotions. It would also be nice to have someone who will support our marriage working well also (so possibly someone who might be willing to eventually include me in some sessions to help with the way this stuff impacts our marriage.) anon I'm sorry to hear that you are married to an alcoholic. The good news is that there is help out there for YOU ... Because you did not cause it, you can't cure it and you will not be able to control it for him .. all you can do is help yourself and your children by going to Alanon meetings.
Here's the link to find a meeting: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/meetings/california.html
There's also a great online support group, called stepchat.com. Room 3 is where families and friends of alcoholics meet.
It's not easy, but you can learn to have hope and happiness. Good luck to you.
By the way, we all start out looking for help for the alcoholic. We end up realizing that the only person we have control over is ourselves... My heart goes out to you.
alanon-er
Couples therapist experienced with alcoholism
Feb 2004
I'm looking for a couples therapist with expertise around alcohol issues (agreements/contracts, boundaries, ACA pieces). I've checked the archives and haven't seen anything specific to this. Thank you. anon
I highly recommend Kirsten Beuthin, MFT. She specializes in working with alcohol and substance abuse problems, as well as ACA issues. Her number is 652-0990. anon
Sherna Perez, LCSW has lots of experience in this sphere. She has been very helpful for me (she is compassionate, available, strong, and supportive), and she does see clients in person in Oakland. Good luck! https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/sherna-perez-oakland-ca/4…
Kathy Brady at kbrady [at] mayawellnesstherapy.com I highly recommend her, and she's well qualified to address your particular set of challenges. HUGS. She's been on Zoom since the pandemic, but in the Before Times she had offices in both Berkeley and Oakland.
And run, don't walk, to a Zoom AlAnon meeting!
AlAnon- the cheapest, most effective therapy available anywhere, anytime needed in person or Zoom.
https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/find-an-al-anon-meeting/
Check out Emily Chong at www.emilychongtherapy.com
She sees clients in person in Elmwood, Berkeley and also online.
I've been working with her for years and she helped me immensely with a similar situation with my partner who has substance abuse disorder.
Good luck!!