Substance Use Therapists in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC

In my practice I am guided by the belief that change is possible and that every person has the capacity for healthy growth and development but may at times need help in accessing inner resources for positive change. I believe a therapist-client relationship that is characterized by empathy, curiosity, acceptance and caring is what facilitates the therapeutic process. I aim to provide an environment where my clients feel safe and free to explore their feelings, thoughts, needs and goals - an environment where we can work together at understanding what is keeping them from living a more fulfilling life.

I specialize in adult psychotherapy, including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, substance use , trauma, relationships, and LGBTQ issues. It can be hard to experience hope when we feel stuck in old patterns of thinking and feeling about life, ourselves, and our relationships. This can lead to feelings of stress, confusion, unhappiness, or disappointment. I work to help individuals and couples to examine these patterns and to explore and experiment with new ways of thinking and acting, which in turn can have dramatic impact on how they are feeling.

I'm licensed in DC and Virginia. My work is with adults experiencing difficult transitions who are trying to cope with the resulting stressors and uncertainties. The goal is to build capacity, make and sustain changes that are meaningful: including changes/losses related to career and relationships, new circumstances such as grief, sexuality, return to school, and retirement. My expertise is in the treatment of issues related addiction/recovery, and the impact on family and significant others. We work together so that you may effectively reengage in your personal and professional life and handle any potential license/clearance

I will work with you to illuminate the meaning of your experience and help you practice greater self-acceptance. Therapy goals/counseling/education will be tailored to your unique needs. I may show you how to change your behavior by using Mindfulness/changing your thoughts, recovery/harm reduction tools to address substance use , guidance/education/resources for exploring sexual orientation/gender identity/transitioning/coming out, provide couples/individual work for better communication in relationships, and/or I can apply EMDR/somatic-based approaches for trauma/anxiety and even substance using/behavioral urges.

As a board certified, licensed graduate professional counselor, I have a passion for working with adolescents and young adults. I have experience working in both community counseling centers and private day schools before beginning in private practice. Through this work, I have had the opportunity to help clients dealing with a wide variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, substance use , interpersonal relationship issues, life transitions, and autism spectrum disorders. Oftentimes, clients just need help managing life’s daily stressors.

One of my favorite therapy-isms is, "if nothing changes, nothing changes". You deserve the opportunity to feel your best and I would be honored to help you on your journey towards emotional healing and self-discovery. The best part of being a therapist is getting to discover all the unique strengths and coping skills that everyone possesses, and helping them identify and access those gifts. I love working with people in all stages of life, and truly believe in the healing power of a strong, therapeutic relationship.

As a clinical social worker, I work from a strengths-based, person-centered, and deeply collaborative perspective. We become a team in your therapy journey. My approach to therapy is eclectic, but I mostly draw from cognitive-behavioral frameworks. I also believe humor can play an important role in the therapeutic process. Clients work hard in therapy, and moments of levity can help reframe and normalize struggles in a positive manner.

I have an extensive background in mental health, having worked with a variety of populations including college students, young professionals, older adults, and low-income/in-need individuals. I have helped clients address concerns relating to depression, grief, anxiety, substance use , men's issues, and trauma. Throughout my work, I maintain the belief that each individual has the potential to become "better than they are now" through personal growth, acceptance, and capability of self-choice. As the counselor, my role is to help facilitate this change, whether through discussion or listening ear, and I view each client holistically.

Making the decision to embark on a therapeutic journey takes courage and vulnerability. Congratulations on taking this step towards improving your personal wellness. Productive therapy starts by creating a safe space and working on building a relationship that fosters trust. We will discuss your current reasons for engaging in therapy, explore parts of your history that may inform our work together, and develop a tailored plan to support symptom relief and address the root causes to optimize your healing and growth.

Do you find yourself feeling hopeless or depressed? Are you tired of being in the same old rut, day in and day out? Relationship issues have you feeling down? Are you trying to make sense of your own spiritual path? As a therapist, my goal is to support and empower you to meet your full potential. I like to use Adlerian and Cognitive Behavioral Techniques to support you in identifying and working through those irrational thoughts that often keep us stagnant. The goal is for us to identify the underlying cause, and stop if from continuing to wreak havoc in your emotional life.

It's courageous and wonderful that you are interested in starting therapy. As a psychologist, my goal is to provide you with a compassionate and empowering therapeutic experience to help you improve your mental health, reach your goals, and achieve your potential. I see therapy as a place for you to gain insights about your personal patterns, process difficult experiences, overcome obstacles, and improve your relationships.

How do you know if your sexual behavior is out of control? It's a subjective question that many men unfortunately wait until relationship, occupational or medical consequences accumulate before considering. I believe the most important person to evaluate concerns with regulating sexual behavior is the man experiencing the dilemma. I start with two basic questions: "What is your conflict with your sexual behavior?" and "What is your vision for your sexual health?" Since 2001, I have provided a safe, informed and confidential space for sexual health conversations with heterosexual, gay and bisexual men.

My goal is to help clients live a full and meaningful life by coping well with stress. I integrate a flexible, person-centered approach with evidence-based practices. Specifically, I collaboratively and non-judgmentally work with clients to identify values and strengths. Together, we explore how to “open up” to difficult thoughts and emotions in order to create a more satisfying life. I use evidence-based therapies and skills, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), as well as mindfulness/relaxation-based and trauma-informed approaches.

I am a board-certified psychotherapist. In my practice I work with individuals and couples, using psychoanalytic psychotherapy and analytical psychology. It is my goal to create a warm and supportive environment in which to work with my clients to heal relational wounds and other forms of trauma. I support clients in their process to gain deeper self-understanding and to foster personal growth through self-compassion. Together we can explore new ways of understanding old patterns of behavior.

Dr. Huntington has extensive experience helping adolescents, adults, and families improve functioning by increasing communication skills, sharpening boundaries, and building stronger relationships. Clients with anxiety, depression, grief, substance use problems, and general issues with adjustment have all benefited from his motivational, collaborative approach. Frank discussions help clients clarify values, examine emotion, and focus on the present in ways that are consistent with mindfulness-based cognitive behavior therapy. Clients soon spend less time struggling as they grow more accepting of themselves.New skills make them more optimistic and more eager to take on new challenges.

If you find yourself stuck, either in your own thoughts, muddling through complicated feelings or in your ability to connect with those around you, I would feel privileged to work with you and help you reach a meaningful breakthrough. If the quality of your life is undermined by depression, anxiety, pain or confusion please reach out and let's meet and see what we can do so that you return to enjoying your life in all its fullness. I look forward to helping you remove the obstacles that block your way from going deeper and further in your journey of reaching your full potential.