Service Spotlight
Addiction to Drugs, Alcohol,
or Behaviors
Are drugs, alcohol, or some type of behavior causing problems in your life?
Brian Whitley
Marriage & Family Therapist
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If so, you may feel powerless to make changes. You may have even been told that it is important to believe you are powerless to make changes.
In my practice, I take a different approach...
I believe that we are not powerless, and by learning and practicing new skills we can make the changes we choose to make.
Has someone told you that your drug or alcohol use is causing problems, and you disagree? Is a behavior interfering with your values, but you’re unsure if you’re ready to completely stop? Using Harm Reduction principles, my clients define their own goals, and I assist them to create a path toward those goals. This type of work is well-suited for people that are looking for alternatives to 12-step recovery approaches.
I believe there are many paths to reduce the negative consequences of substances and problematic behaviors. I believe my job is to serve as a guide to help people make educated choices about the available treatment options, including an abstinence or moderation approach.
I provide in-person, addiction counseling for adults who live in Newport Beach and nearby cities such as Irvine, Huntington Beach, and Costa Mesa.
I provide online, addiction 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.
Types
Types of problems
addiction counseling can help:
Anxiety disorders, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Panic Attacks
Anger
Work and career stress
Depression
Negative effects of experiencing trauma and critical incidents
Communication problems in marriage & problems in dating relationships
Marriages that are on the brink of divorce
Career Stress for law enforcement officers, including police officers, deputy sheriffs, federal agents, correctional officers, and other first responders including firefighters and paramedics
Benefits
Benefits of addiction counseling
Ability to refuse cravings for unhealthy substances or behaviors
Less depression & anxiety and more happiness
Less anger & resentment and more peace
Better relationships with friends and partners
More satisfaction in your marriage & better relationships with your children
A toolbox of emotion regulation skills
Reverse burn-out at work and have a better work/life balance
Skills to manage trauma triggers in helpful ways
Addiction to Drug and Alcohol and Behaviors
Session Format for addiction counseling
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 addiction counseling sessions, and what is the typical length of treatment?
The initial addiction counseling session is 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 longer-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 addiction 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.
Checks, cash, electronic checks, Zelle, and credit cards (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 checks, cash, electronic checks, or Zelle.
Do you offer in-person and online addiction counseling sessions?
Yes, I offer both online and in-person sessions. In-person sessions are located at my Newport Beach office:
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 for substance abuse services, you 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.
