Photo of Moe Gelbart - Gelbart and Associates, PhD, Psychologist
Gelbart and Associates
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90505
I am a recognized expert in the area of substance abuse and addiction, and the effect on families as well.
Having been in practice in the South Bay since 1976, I bring a great deal of experience in helping people with problems related to personal or family drug or alcohol use, as well as depression, anxiety, stress, and marital issues. My work with addiction includes problems related to gambling, sex, and food. At present, in addition to my practice, I am the Director of Behavioral Health at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, and the Executive Director and Supervising Psychologist for the Torrance Memorial Thelma McMillen Recovery Center
I am a recognized expert in the area of substance abuse and addiction, and the effect on families as well.
Having been in practice in the South Bay since 1976, I bring a great deal of experience in helping people with problems related to personal or family drug or alcohol use, as well as depression, anxiety, stress, and marital issues. My work with addiction includes problems related to gambling, sex, and food. At present, in addition to my practice, I am the Director of Behavioral Health at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, and the Executive Director and Supervising Psychologist for the Torrance Memorial Thelma McMillen Recovery Center
(310) 692-9523 View (310) 692-9523
Photo of Derek Scott Hoxby, MA, LMFT, CADC-II, SEP, Marriage & Family Therapist
Derek Scott Hoxby
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, CADC-II, SEP
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Torrance, CA 90505
I have a specialization working with couples, families and individuals; as well as substance abuse/chemical dependency and addiction treatment (porn, sex & gambling). In many cases the depressed and anxious client is self medicating in some way to alter underlying feelings of depression, anxiety and intimacy/attachment issues. I use Somatic Experiencing, a very effective treatment for trauma/PTSD symptoms, helping the body and mind regulate itself. Clients in relationships with loved ones addicted or abusing substances can benefit from therapy to learn how to take care of themselves so as to identify when they’re enabling.
I have a specialization working with couples, families and individuals; as well as substance abuse/chemical dependency and addiction treatment (porn, sex & gambling). In many cases the depressed and anxious client is self medicating in some way to alter underlying feelings of depression, anxiety and intimacy/attachment issues. I use Somatic Experiencing, a very effective treatment for trauma/PTSD symptoms, helping the body and mind regulate itself. Clients in relationships with loved ones addicted or abusing substances can benefit from therapy to learn how to take care of themselves so as to identify when they’re enabling.
(310) 861-7215 View (310) 861-7215
Photo of Heidi Bacani, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Heidi Bacani
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90505
For over 19 years, I have worked with clients who have overcome difficulties with relating to one's self and others, sexual identity, childhood trauma, infidelity, marital conflict, mood disorders, fear of intimacy, anger, thought disorders, codependancy and addiction behaviors like cutting, eating disorders, sexual disorders and substance abuse.
Are you a child, adolescent or adult having difficulty functioning at work, school, or in relationships? Sometimes a history of trauma, self defeating and limiting belief systems interfere with our ability to love, work and play. I can help when old ways of adapting to stressors no longer work. Change is necessary at the mind, body and spiritual level for adaptation to occur. We will work together through your transformation. You can learn new ways to tolerate what has been overwhelming and you can develop new, healthier coping skills to help you manage what was formerly intolerable about daily living.
For over 19 years, I have worked with clients who have overcome difficulties with relating to one's self and others, sexual identity, childhood trauma, infidelity, marital conflict, mood disorders, fear of intimacy, anger, thought disorders, codependancy and addiction behaviors like cutting, eating disorders, sexual disorders and substance abuse.
Are you a child, adolescent or adult having difficulty functioning at work, school, or in relationships? Sometimes a history of trauma, self defeating and limiting belief systems interfere with our ability to love, work and play. I can help when old ways of adapting to stressors no longer work. Change is necessary at the mind, body and spiritual level for adaptation to occur. We will work together through your transformation. You can learn new ways to tolerate what has been overwhelming and you can develop new, healthier coping skills to help you manage what was formerly intolerable about daily living.
(424) 294-8972 View (424) 294-8972
Photo of Robin Linda Dieda, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Robin Linda Dieda
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90505
Sadness and Anxiety • Children and Youth • Educational and Employment Transitions • Relationship Challenges • Aging and Body Image Changes • Substance Abuse and ACA .
I have worked for many years with individuals and families who have faced major challenges. Extra support during stressful times can have practical benefits, and can even create opportunities for growth. You will benefit from this investment for the rest of your life. The theme of my practice is Growth through Life Transitions.
Sadness and Anxiety • Children and Youth • Educational and Employment Transitions • Relationship Challenges • Aging and Body Image Changes • Substance Abuse and ACA .
I have worked for many years with individuals and families who have faced major challenges. Extra support during stressful times can have practical benefits, and can even create opportunities for growth. You will benefit from this investment for the rest of your life. The theme of my practice is Growth through Life Transitions.
(310) 697-8026 View (310) 697-8026
Photo of Emily Schafer, MA, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Emily Schafer
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90505
At one time or another, life presents challenges in which guidance and support are needed. I can provide to you a confidential, nurturing relationship that will empower you to make clearer choices, reduce stress, and improve coping skills. I specialize in couples therapy and can help you save your relationship! If you suffer from problems that trigger depression and anxiety i can help you to cope better and improve your mood. I have been in practice since 1991 so i have the experience to help you in a caring, nurturing way.
At one time or another, life presents challenges in which guidance and support are needed. I can provide to you a confidential, nurturing relationship that will empower you to make clearer choices, reduce stress, and improve coping skills. I specialize in couples therapy and can help you save your relationship! If you suffer from problems that trigger depression and anxiety i can help you to cope better and improve your mood. I have been in practice since 1991 so i have the experience to help you in a caring, nurturing way.
(424) 294-8934 View (424) 294-8934
Photo of Annie Nardella - Pacific Therapy Group, LMFT, Marriage & Family Therapist
Pacific Therapy Group
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90505
Currently accepting new clients for appointments next week! Pacific Pain & Wellness Group treats mental health and pain conditions using a variety of effective treatments including medications, psychotherapy, telemedicine, ketamine infusions, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Our mission is to create a personalized treatment plan that will help guide you on a path towards better living and emotional relief. Through diagnostic evaluations, we construct a treatment plan aligned with meeting your current goals towards resiliency and healing.
Currently accepting new clients for appointments next week! Pacific Pain & Wellness Group treats mental health and pain conditions using a variety of effective treatments including medications, psychotherapy, telemedicine, ketamine infusions, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Our mission is to create a personalized treatment plan that will help guide you on a path towards better living and emotional relief. Through diagnostic evaluations, we construct a treatment plan aligned with meeting your current goals towards resiliency and healing.
(310) 868-2264 View (310) 868-2264
Photo of Theodore Otvos, PhD, Psychologist
Theodore Otvos
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Torrance, CA 90505
Do you feel like you don't belong anywhere? Are relationships at home or work difficult? Is someone important to you suggesting that you need help? Are you seeking more clarity in your life? Are you sleeping well? Do you wake up fearful? Does a traumatic past continue to haunt you? Are you unhappy even when thing are generally going well? Are you struggling with a lack of motivation? Do you ever just feel like saying,"What's the use?" Would you like to talk to someone who isn't judging you?
Do you feel like you don't belong anywhere? Are relationships at home or work difficult? Is someone important to you suggesting that you need help? Are you seeking more clarity in your life? Are you sleeping well? Do you wake up fearful? Does a traumatic past continue to haunt you? Are you unhappy even when thing are generally going well? Are you struggling with a lack of motivation? Do you ever just feel like saying,"What's the use?" Would you like to talk to someone who isn't judging you?
(562) 543-4196 View (562) 543-4196
Addiction Therapists

What is the best therapy for addiction?

Addiction treatment will be tailored to the individual. People seeking help for addiction—whether with a psychotherapist, in an outpatient clinic, or in a residential program—should expect to engage in multiple types of treatments, sometimes including medication. For anyone recovering from addiction, avoiding situations in which one has typically used a substance is essential, as is the support of close connections. Since substance use disorders tend to co-occur with underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, those must also be addressed as part of any recovery plan.

How long does therapy for addiction take?

There is no set timeline for recovery from addiction. Patients and their families should expect the work to last several months, if not longer. Residential treatment programs may be based on a stay of 30, 60, or 90 days, with continuing work after release, but only about 1 percent of people are treated in such facilities. Ceasing use is just the first step; therapy to help maintain abstinence and effect behavior change must follow. The process of recovery, neuroscience has shown, involves brain cells recovering the capacity to respond to natural sources of reward and restore control over the impulse to use. Another definition of recovery is restoring voluntary control over one’s substance use and retaking all of one’s previous responsibilities.

How effective is drug addiction treatment?

Substance use disorders are treatable and remission is achievable for many who seek recovery; by some estimates, more than three-quarters of people who become addicted to alcohol or drugs recover. But that success rarely occurs quickly or on a set timeline; relapse is not only common, but many therapists and clinicians view it as a normal part of the process—not always a sign that a person has returned to addiction, but a signal that their treatment should be adjusted to help them regain control. Overall, research suggests, five years after the end of substance use, one’s risk of relapse is no greater than that of others who had not faced addiction. Other experts believe that complete abstinence is not the only measure of recovery, and that, through effective treatment, many people can learn to control their use.

How can you get addiction treatment for someone?

The most important factor in recovery from addiction is widely understood to be an individual’s commitment to change. For that reason,“interventions” in which friends and family gather to urge or force someone to begin immediate treatment often backfire; even when such efforts do lead someone to begin treatment, they may be less likely to stay than those who are self-driven. Still, family members can play an important role in supporting an individual who seeks help and can take part in family therapy as one element of a loved one’s treatment.