Service Spotlight
Family Support for Someone with Addictions
If your family member is misusing drugs or alcohol, you know the pain of watching your loved one make choices that don't make sense to you.
Brian Whitley, M.A.
Marriage & Family Therapist
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People use substances for reasons that are very important to them. For some, drugs and alcohol are an escape from painful emotions or circumstances. Others want to have fun or feel better in some way (happier, more social, etc.). Loved ones see the suffering that the substances cause, such as health problems, difficulties at work, and relationship problems.
Family members often think, he must not really care about the problems his drinking causes because if he did, wouldn't he just stop?
It may surprise you to learn that he does care a lot about the problems that drugs or alcohol cause. People who misuse drugs and alcohol don't like suffering any more than anyone else does. But giving up a substance that has certain important advantages can be very scary. Consider what they are up against. They would be giving up whatever positive benefit they are getting and trying to make a very big change in their lives all at the same time. As we all know ... making changes can be hard. Have you ever had trouble sticking to a goal to diet, exercise more, or get through that book you've been meaning to read? So then, it’s not surprising that your loved one is hesitant to make changes even if they feel it would it would be a good idea to do so.
So what am I supposed to do? Should I keep nagging him or just let him hit "rock bottom" like some people say?
Of course you can't make anyone do anything, but we now know through research that you can do things that positively influence your loved one and there are things that you can do that will keep things the same or even make them worse. Using the principles of an evidenced-based program called Community Reinforcement and Family Training (C.R.A.F.T.), I help my clients learn tools that can help them feel better, improve their relationship with their loved one who is using, and positively influence their loved one to make helpful changes before they hit rock bottom.
I provide in-person counseling for adults who live in Newport Beach and nearby cities such as Irvine, Huntington Beach, and Costa Mesa.
I provide online counseling for clients who live in other parts of Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, and anywhere in California using Google Meet, a HIPAA compliant, secure platform.
Why would she drink or use drugs when she knows they are hurting her and our family?
Introduction
Watching a loved one battle addiction is hard and can lead to:
Anger & resentment
Fear, anxiety, and panic attacks
Hypervigilance
Feeling overwhelmed
Boundary problems
Introduction
Benefits of counseling for family members who have a loved one struggling with addiction:
Less depression & anxiety and more happiness
Less anger & resentment and more peace
Better relationship with your loved one
Toolbox of emotion regulation skills
Better boundaries
Individual Counseling
Counseling treatment timeline for family members who have someone struggling with addiction
First Session
I learn about your background and the problems you want to work on, and we start creating your goals.Second Session
We create a plan to achieve your goals and take some first steps. I routinely assign homework to be done between sessions to reinforce what we worked on in the previous session.Following Sessions
We discuss the efforts you made since the last session to work on your goals.Nearing Graduation
We discuss ways to avoid slips back into unhelpful patterns and what to do if a slip occurs.Graduation
You and I review and celebrate the work that was done and the progress that was made!
How long are family support counseling sessions, and what is the typical length of treatment?
Initial counseling sessions are 90 minutes long. Follow-up sessions are typically 55 minutes. The number of sessions depends on what type of problem you are struggling with and what your goals are. As clients make progress toward their goals, I reduce the frequency of sessions. I work short-term with some clients and long-term with others. I want my clients to learn new skills, achieve their goals, and then “fire me” when I’m no longer needed.
What is the rate for family support counseling? How do I pay for the sessions?
My session fee is $175 for 55-minute sessions, and $262 for 90-minute sessions. The first appointment for individuals is 90 minutes. Subsequent sessions are typically 55-minutes.
Check, cash, electronic check, Zelle, and credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) are all accepted for payment. There is a 3% convenience fee for using a credit or debit card. There is no fee for using check, cash, electronic check, or Zelle.
Do you offer support for loved ones in-person & online?
Yes, I offer both online and in-person sessions. In-person counseling sessions at my Newport Beach office located at
1001 Dove Street, Suite 180,
Newport Beach, CA 92660
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(near the Orange County/John Wayne Airport. )
Phone: (949) 933-5872
I also provide secure, HIPAA compliant, online therapy sessions with clients anywhere in California and Florida using Google Meet.
What about insurance?
Although Brian Whitley does not bill insurance companies directly, services may be reimbursed in full or in part by your PPO health insurance or employee benefit plan. Please check your coverage carefully by asking the following questions:
Do I have mental health benefits?
What is my deductible, and has it been met?
How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
How much does my plan cover for an out-of-network provider?
What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
Is approval required from my primary care physician?
All Services and Therapies.
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Individual Counseling
I’m an active and directive therapist and focused on helping you achieve your goals.
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Marriage Counseling
Consistent effort and intention is required to have a good marriage. We are all either working on our marriage or our divorce. I give spouses practical tools to improve their marriage.
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Discernment Counseling
Your marriage is in trouble and either you or your spouse is considering divorce. You may be the one who wants to save the marriage, or you may be the spouse who is considering divorce but also unsure if this is what you really want.
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Counseling for Police Officers & Other Law Enforcement
As a former police officer for 11 years, I understand how your career as a first responder can negatively impact your personal life.
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Addictions to Substances and Behaviors
I believe that we are not powerless over addictions. By learning and practicing new skills, we can break the chains of addiction. I support clients that use 12-Step resources and alternative programs such as SMART Recovery.
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Family & Friends of Those Struggling with Addictions
Addiction impacts the entire family. I can teach you how to use the power of your relationship to facilitate positive change and how not to make things worse.
