Photo of Taylor J Smith, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94025, CA
Taylor J Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Menlo Park, CA 94025
As a therapist, I want to work with people to help them to get unstuck. There are a lot of different ways one can be stuck, physically (pain), emotionally, socially, professionally, with a substance and many others. Like spinning your tires when stuck in the mud. It is the wrong thing to do, but it is the easiest thing to try when you are alone. Getting unstuck most times requires some help. That is where therapy can come in handy. Please contact me for a brief consultation to see if I can be the right person to help you.
As a therapist, I want to work with people to help them to get unstuck. There are a lot of different ways one can be stuck, physically (pain), emotionally, socially, professionally, with a substance and many others. Like spinning your tires when stuck in the mud. It is the wrong thing to do, but it is the easiest thing to try when you are alone. Getting unstuck most times requires some help. That is where therapy can come in handy. Please contact me for a brief consultation to see if I can be the right person to help you.
(650) 727-1966 View (650) 727-1966
Photo of Alex J Basche, Marriage & Family Therapist in 94025, CA
Alex J Basche
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, IGDC
Verified Verified
Menlo Park, CA 94025
I use a strength-based approach to foster genuine self-acceptance & to support clients in finding meaning. My philosophy centers around building & harnessing connections between the body, emotions, thoughts & behaviors to create healing & growth. This is an active, evidence-based approach that addresses the whole person. Treatment is uniquely individualized & with over a decade of clinical experience, I am competent in helping clients to not only heal but to make real gains. This can involve setting/tracking measurable goals for therapy to help guide our work and offer insight into obstacles along the way.
I use a strength-based approach to foster genuine self-acceptance & to support clients in finding meaning. My philosophy centers around building & harnessing connections between the body, emotions, thoughts & behaviors to create healing & growth. This is an active, evidence-based approach that addresses the whole person. Treatment is uniquely individualized & with over a decade of clinical experience, I am competent in helping clients to not only heal but to make real gains. This can involve setting/tracking measurable goals for therapy to help guide our work and offer insight into obstacles along the way.
(669) 222-7872 View (669) 222-7872
Substance Use Therapists

How do substance and drug recovery or rehabilitation programs work?

In inpatient programs, individuals live in a facility with other clients in recovery; in outpatient programs, individuals reside at home. These facilities are staffed with healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, and psychotherapists. Staff often also includes people who have recovered themselves, serving as mentors and guides. These programs may use abstinence, harm reduction, detoxification, psychotherapy, and other methods.

How do 12-step programs combined with psychotherapy work?

Members of 12-step programs help each other reach abstinence and work to maintain it. These programs promote complete change in the individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual perspectives. Some programs require that new members attend 90 meetings in 90 days. Many people do attend these programs in conjunction with their work in psychotherapy; the combination of therapy along with 12-step can be extremely effective.

How does harm reduction combined with psychotherapy work?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, harm reduction prevents death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse. People who choose harm reduction for substance use reduce the amount of drugs they consume. It is not abstinence-based like a 12-step program, but combining harm reduction with psychotherapy proves to be effective for many people.

Are there specific medications for substance and drug use?

There are medications approved to treat substance use disorder—such as buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and acamprosate. These medications do help people cope with substance use as well as avoid the problem of relapse. Naltrexone can help reduce cravings, methadone is an opioid medication used to treat severe pain, and acamprosate may help ease symptoms like poor sleep and anxious feelings.