Addiction Therapists in Allen, TX

Seeking mental health is an important step towards general well-being. Just as you would not be expected to simply “tough out” a broken leg, for instance, neither should you do the same for depression, anxiety, or even more importantly, finding yourself at a crossroads and uncertain what to do next. I am here to lend a non-judgmental ear, and to help you move through difficult aspects of your life. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, uncertainty about paths forward in life, and addiction for adults, and with a particular interest in the LGBTQ population.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in the state of Texas. I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990. I spent 20 years in sales and business before completing my Masters degree Educational Psychology-Counseling in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. My experience in business and counseling has given me the opportunity to treat a diversified clientele including: individuals, families, couples: male or female, adolescent to adult and affluent to impoverished.

Navigating through life we face a multitude of internal and external struggles. These can become overwhelming and lead to situations where we have difficulty regulating our emotions. During these moments, we may become stuck and be unable to move forward. Trying to find a solution one can often turn to negative coping skills. During our time together, we will explore the journey that has brought you to treatment and examine the aspects of Self that influence your reactions to triggers. Let’s work together to help you live free of the crippling effect of these maladaptive behaviors.

I received my Masters from University of Texas at Arlington in 2012. I have extensive experience and training in medical social work, dual diagnosis, and depressive disorders. I work with clients on a diverse spectrum of topics: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, life stages, attachment and codependency, alcoholism, substance abuse, individuals living with disabilities, LGBT, gender dysphoria, and caregivers of people suffering from mental illness.

Greetings! I am Dr. Stokes, and over the past 25+ years I have worked with clients seeking relationship help, men who struggle with pornography issues, anger issues and just feeling "lost," and clients who struggle with substance abuse. I believe in providing "how to" skills so you feel more confident to handle whatever life throws at you. Clients often describe me as "straight to the point" and "action-oriented."

"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." - Albert Camus. Learning to live life without drugs and alcohol can feel like an unbearable task. Making the best decision for a loved one, child, or spouse can be one of the hardest yet most rewarding decisions to make. I am here to assist along the journey. Addiction has impacted my life personally. I decided to join the field professionally in 2013. I currently serve as program coordinator for an outpatient program and drug counselor for the 417th district juvenile drug court.

We are experts at helping you heal from unwanted and unhealthy behaviors. Our team specializes in distinct behaviors and diagnoses that allow us to treat what you are struggling with. Our clients have typically been to multiple treatment centers, therapists, psychologists, hospitals, etc. and none have been able to completely understand. Collaboration is a strong focus to ensure that both you as an individual and your family unit sprint towards a healthy state. We often have calls with psychiatrists, other therapists, recovery coaches, and family members to ensure we fully understand the history and current state.

Grappling with depression, stuck in addiction , or home when you'd rather be independent? Living with the echoes of an unhappy or abusive childhood? Noticing you feel anxious and tired on a daily basis and can't figure out why, or can't seem to connect with others the way you'd like? Maybe you're not even sure what to call what you feel, but you'd really like to change it and find a way to feel like yourself again. None of these issues are pleasant, but we can work on them together. As a counselor working with complex combinations of addictions and mental health issues, I offer genuine caring and acceptance as you learn and heal.

I have a passion for working with teens and young adults who are in need of assistance in navigating the complexities of modern life. Regardless of what the particular issue(s) may be, my goal is to assist each individual in developing and implementing a plan of action that facilitates their moving towards their own specific goals. I have particular experience working with individuals who have issues pertaining to substance use/abuse, anxiety, depression, OCD, and Insomnia. Additionally, I enjoy assisting younger clients and their family to re-establish a sense of cohesion at home and within the family system.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas with a masters in Counseling from Texas Women's University. I have worked with a variety of clients including those in crisis, struggling with depression, anxiety, mood issues, and general trauma. I love to work with young adults and teens, specifically those who enjoy a more direct approach, with a twist of humor and sarcasm. I have also worked with fostering, adopted, and in state custody adolescents. I have special training in substance use, incarcerations, rehabilitation, and veterans in the court system. I enjoy running group sessions as well and individual work.

For over a decade my aim is to make your counseling experience as fulfilling and meaningful as possible by creating a customized treatment plan that leads to real, tangible results. I am passionate about the impact of addiction and trauma on individuals and families, and specialize in helping those struggling with chronic relapse, especially when the traditional treatment models (30 days in residential rehab, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient) haven't helped in the past. The goal of therapy is to achieve sobriety, but more importantly to heal the relationships of the harms caused by years of addictive behavior.

You've tried to stop using substances, engaging in problematic sexual behavior or viewing pornography on your own, but can’t. Your spouse, partner or other loved ones are hurting. They say they can't trust you anymore. Even worse, you feel you can't trust yourself. Your reality now consists of escalating feelings of failure, guilt, inadequacy and shame. And again, you turn to medicate and escape your reality. The vicious cycle continues. All you want is relief. Please know, hope and healing is possible.

Let's talk about why things are so hard. Why you're doing the same old thing day in and day out despite wanting to change. Why you're waking up and wishing that the pills you took the night before had actually worked. Why in spite of all the things you've done to try and recover from your eating disorder or addiction , you feel like you've made no progress. Let's get down to the root of things and face them head on. If you're ready to get to work, let's talk.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and couples dealing with depression, grief, anxiety, addiction , and terminal and/or complex illnesses. Incorporates a strengths-based counseling approach to identify and support individuals in working through complex issues. She has credentials in trauma recovery and is passionate about helping individuals move forward in life when they feel "stuck."

My goal as a clinician is to join you on your healing journey. During times of difficulty, it can feel as though we are walking through the swampland of our souls. My hope is to throw on some rain boots and take that trek with you! My therapeutic theory is that we as individuals are not defined by our struggles, but that we are whole, healthy individuals. It is important that we work collaboratively against these struggles and rediscover those whole and healthy identities. My particular areas of interest include eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Reaching out for help isn’t always easy but it’s the first step in change towards leading a life that feels authentic to you. I believe that change happens through insight, by learning how our experiences impact the way we view the world and ourselves. It is important to me to build a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship to help you gain that insight and work on your goals.

Sometimes life can feel like trying to climb Mount Everest without any supplies. As a fellow traveler of life, I have experienced steep climbs, low valleys, feeling disconnected, and at times hopeless. The experiences of my journey have given me an authentic wisdom to navigate the unfamiliar or challenging terrain with you. Together, we can do hard things and tread across the contours of life. My areas of focus are: trauma, personal/mental health challenges while parenting/raising children, women's mental health, peri/postpartum anxiety/depression, substance use, identity development, geriatric, life transitions, and end of life.

Life is a journey. Sometimes there are difficulties. These difficulties make it hard to arrive at the desired life destination or achieve optimal functionality . I believe in you and help people of all ages with life problems including; relationship issues, life change adjustments, depression, substance abuse/addictions, personality disorders, trauma and grief. So who am I?