Understanding Addiction

Compulsive Behaviors

What Counselors Need to Know About Prediction Markets

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on June 13, 2026

If your client said they were struggling with their use of prediction markets, how would you respond?

If your client said they were struggling with their use of prediction markets, how would you respond?

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Positive Childhood Experiences for Addiction Prevention

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on February 2, 2026

Prevention can mean removing risk factors but also cultivating promotive factors. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are an important aspect of addiction prevention.

Prevention can mean removing risk factors but also cultivating promotive factors. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are an important aspect of addiction prevention.

Media

Digital Literacy Starts at Home

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on November 17, 2025

Parents and caregivers can develop digital literacy among their children and teens by initiating regular conversations about online safety.

Parents and caregivers can develop digital literacy among their children and teens by initiating regular conversations about online safety.

Addiction

Trauma, Arousal, and Addiction

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on August 25, 2025

There are many factors that increase a person's risk of addiction, including arousal dysregulation caused by trauma.

There are many factors that increase a person's risk of addiction, including arousal dysregulation caused by trauma.

Addiction

Motivational Interviewing for Adolescent Substance Use

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on June 2, 2025

Counselors must be prepared to offer effective services for adolescent clients who use substances. Motivational Interviewing can be a helpful initial or integrated approach.

Counselors must be prepared to offer effective services for adolescent clients who use substances. Motivational Interviewing can be a helpful initial or integrated approach.

Adolescence

Digital Media Overuse Prevention Programs in Schools

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on March 2, 2025

As technology continues to progress, do adolescents understand the risks of digital media use and how to navigate them? Schools can help.

As technology continues to progress, do adolescents understand the risks of digital media use and how to navigate them? Schools can help.

Trauma

Addressing Trauma in Clinical Work With Addiction

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on January 10, 2025

Given the prevalence of trauma among those with addiction, it is imperative that addictions counselors effectively implement trauma-informed approaches.

Given the prevalence of trauma among those with addiction, it is imperative that addictions counselors effectively implement trauma-informed approaches.

Media

A Family Digital Media Plan

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on October 6, 2024

All families should consider completing a family digital media plan to set children/adolescents up for success and clearly define expectations for technology use.

All families should consider completing a family digital media plan to set children/adolescents up for success and clearly define expectations for technology use.

Media

Fighting Digital Media Overdependence in a Digitalized World

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on August 6, 2024

As the world becomes more and more digitalized, countries must learn from each other about the best ways to combat digital media overdependence.

As the world becomes more and more digitalized, countries must learn from each other about the best ways to combat digital media overdependence.

Addiction

The Necessity of Addiction Training

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on May 23, 2024

Individuals with addiction may receive mental health services or medical services long before they seek addiction treatment.

Individuals with addiction may receive mental health services or medical services long before they seek addiction treatment.

Alcoholism

Can America Rebrand College From "Partying" to "Purpose"?

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on February 23, 2024

Excessive drinking and substance use on college campuses does not have to be the norm—an examination of collegiate recovery communities can help inform how to rebrand college.

Excessive drinking and substance use on college campuses does not have to be the norm—an examination of collegiate recovery communities can help inform how to rebrand college.

Sex

Dispelling Myths About Sex Addiction

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on October 23, 2023

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “sex addiction”? It’s time to dispel the myths.

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “sex addiction”? It’s time to dispel the myths.

Adolescence

The Current State of Addictive Behaviors Among Adolescents

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on August 17, 2023

Many addictive behaviors begin in adolescence, thus it is important to regularly assess the state of addiction among youth. School counselors provide a unique perspective.

Many addictive behaviors begin in adolescence, thus it is important to regularly assess the state of addiction among youth. School counselors provide a unique perspective.

Addiction

What Everyone Needs to Know About Fentanyl

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on June 26, 2023

We've all heard about the opioid crisis and the dangers of fentanyl—but how much do you really know about this drug?

We've all heard about the opioid crisis and the dangers of fentanyl—but how much do you really know about this drug?

Neuroscience

Self-Harm on Social Media

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on March 25, 2023

Why do people post about self-harm on social media, and what's the problem with it?

Why do people post about self-harm on social media, and what's the problem with it?

Media

Raising Kids in a Digital Age

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on February 5, 2023

It can be hard to know how to parent in a tech-driven world. Here are some important considerations.

It can be hard to know how to parent in a tech-driven world. Here are some important considerations.

Cognition

Safe Gaming: What Parents Need to Know

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on January 14, 2023

Does your child game? This is what you need to know.

Does your child game? This is what you need to know.

Attention

Not Your Mother’s Marijuana

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on November 1, 2022

Cannabis products are evolving; shouldn't public perception be evolving, too?

Cannabis products are evolving; shouldn't public perception be evolving, too?

DSM

Online Shopping and "Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder"

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on August 16, 2022

Ecommerce is the new normal when it comes to shopping—but might it also contribute to an increase in "compulsive buying-shopping disorder"?

Ecommerce is the new normal when it comes to shopping—but might it also contribute to an increase in "compulsive buying-shopping disorder"?

Self-Harm

Why Do People Self-Injure?

Amanda L. Giordano Ph.D., LPC on July 8, 2022

Nonsuicidal self-injury is a complex issue that can be difficult to understand. Why would someone intentionally harm themselves?

Nonsuicidal self-injury is a complex issue that can be difficult to understand. Why would someone intentionally harm themselves?