Substance Use Therapists in La Crescenta, CA

Have you watched your teen struggle with school, relationships or peers? Do you feel like you’re both walking on eggshells, trying not to blow up? This can be very painful. It’s common for teens to struggle navigating social pressure and feeling comfortable being their authentic self. Unfortunately, many teens learn to shut-down, get angry, or find various harmful means to escape. This can lead to depression & anxiety. When left untreated, it can create long-term struggles such as addiction and relationship stress, which is why I also work with adults and couples struggling with substance use or unhealthy relationship patterns.

Do you sometimes find it difficult to express your needs, or even feel that yours are not important? Maybe you feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster that never ends, which impacts your connection with others? These outcomes are common when we have experiences that negatively impact how we feel about ourselves, others, and the world. Fortunately, each of us has the power to create change and move toward the life we desire. I believe it is important to work collaboratively with you to create a safe space where the work can be done.

Hi, I'm Noel Lee, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working with individuals, couples, and families to explore their life narratives and search for ways to heal in order to become the healthiest versions of themselves. I aim to provide a supportive, nurturing, and non-judgmental environment where you feel safe to come as you are. Overall, I encourage reflection on the past as well as connecting with unexpressed thoughts, feelings, and needs to bring greater awareness to our present experiences.

I specialize in supporting young adults and working professionals navigating challenges related to anxiety, ADHD, and relationship issues. If you find yourself physically present but mentally checked out, or if your mind feels like it's juggling a hundred tabs, I'm here to help. My therapeutic approach is centered on fostering a healing relationship with my clients, characterized by honesty, empathy, and curiosity. Together, we can unravel and unlearn old patterns that may no longer serve you, empowering you to lead a purposeful and meaningful life.

I am the founder & clinical director of ADAPT Therapy Centers, Inc. (c.1987). My specialties include a treatment of mood disorders (depression, anxiety/panic, bi-polar disorder) & addiciton. Throughout my 30 year career, I have run hundreds of psychodrama, multi-family, & cognitive therapy groups at various SoCal hospitals . I have been a professor in the Psychology Dept. at Mount Saint Mary's College & a member of the Board of Directors for the National Council of Alcoholism & Drug Addiction, Los Angeles Chapter. I have also served as Clinical Director at The Pasadena Recovery Center & co-hosted "Shrink Wrap" on KCSN-FM.

I practice from both a relational and an attachment based framework. It’s widely known that the main driver of successful outcome in psychotherapy is the quality of the relationship between the patient and the clinician. It is also acknowledged that the majority of mental health issues are either caused, maintained, or intensified by unhealthy relationships. For these reasons, I place a great deal of emphasis upon our relationship as a foundation for implementing any clinical interventions.

There are many reasons why you might be seeking help at this time, and it is an act of strength and bravery to take this step. Together we can work together to foster healthy coping, connect to your feelings, align the heart with the mind, create vision and clarity, and discover inherent confidence, wisdom and worthiness. If you find yourself struggling with having vision and clarity, grief and loss, have been engaging in unhealthy behaviors and are having difficulty making the changes you desire, or you or a loved one are struggling with a chronic illness, we can work together to address your needs.

My specific areas of training and practice have included: adults, adolescents, and couples. I also have experience with crisis intervention in L.A. County ERs and critical incident stress debriefing for EAP employees. I have worked for Inpatient/Outpatient hospitals; Community-based Mental Health clinics; Ventura County Jail; Residential substance abuse treatment facilities; high schools; as well as my private practice, counseling a diverse population. I have been on Medical Staff at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, and Aurora Charter Oaks Hospital.

Is your relationship trapped in a pattern of anger, resentment and withdrawal? Are you tired of feeling like your worst version of yourself within your most precious relationship? There is a way out. Working together, we will uncover early painful experiences and the resulting coping behaviors that cause destruction in your relationships with others and with yourself. My hope is that our time together will restore you both to your best selves, allowing you and your partner come back to one another - not in the old way, but in a new way that offers long term connection and safety together.

After more than 50 years as a therapist, I still find working with adolescents and adults, exciting and challenging. Each person brings their unique issues to therapy and together we craft a way to move towards a positive solution.

My skills and experience have allowed me to deal with various diverse cultures who are reluctant to seek treatment due to stigma. Having been raised as Armenian and Greek, I have experienced the multicultural and societal pressures firsthand. In the face of a person experiencing a challenging life event , even the most competent person may need extra support or guidance. Everyone has problems and there is no shame in seeking help. It is my goal to create a safe Christ Centered environment for you to navigate through issues of acculturation, emotional scars from the past that prevents you from pursuing Gods purposes.

As a solution-focused therapist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

You don't have to continue feeling depressed or anxious. I can help you learn effective ways to manage difficulties and challenges so that you may feel more in control of your life. Replace debilitating negative thoughts and embrace your strengths and capabilities. You can learn to trust that you're ready to make decisions, move forward, reach your goals, and attain what you want, feeling hopeful, motivated and optimistic. Individuals, couples and families learn new ways to communicate effectively, resolve ongoing conflicts, repair trust, learn to support each other, heal and grow a stronger relationship.

My clinical experience includes treatment of culturally and socio-economically diverse adult population with range of diagnosis in outpatient and inpatient settings. My treatment experience includes individuals, couples, family, and groups utilizing Brief Therapy, Crisis Intervention, Structural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR. Areas addressed in private practice consists of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, self esteem, body image, family conflicts, and bereavement.

*Jan 2021: Hi, my active client & wait lists are full. You deserve help, keep looking!* I help adults, kids, and families in any combination find new ways to understand their concerns, and create peace in their lives. With respect, compassion, and genuine curiosity we explore issues without judgment or criticism. My office is a safe space to be yourself -- no shame, no blame. Often, it's our ability to see things from a different perspective that allows us to start healing, re-connecting, and making the changes we want, to enjoy greater academic and professional success, freedom from painful memories, and stronger emotional health.