Substance Use Therapists in Arlington Heights, IL

All humans want to feel heard, seen, and valued. Regardless of who you are or what you are facing, I am focused on creating a safe space, meeting you where you are, building a strong rapport, and enhancing your emotional and body literacy. I love working with individuals across many demographics and am experienced in supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults struggling with a variety of challenges. I am a relatable and compassionate therapist focused on helping you identify and achieve your short and long-term goals.

The first step is the hardest to do alone when you may be struggling with anxiety, stress, depression or inability to focus. That is where we would work together to build a trusting alliance to identify your goals and the steps that it would take to get there. Each person is different, and I tailor each experience to your individual needs.

Please note that I am accepting new clients but slots are limited. I'm a dedicated licensed therapist who has provided therapy for almost 20 years. I enjoy working with clients to support their personal best. I have experience with working with all individuals across the life span. I have a number of certifications. I specialize in a tangible therapy that provides cope skills for symptoms call DBT, I have a certification in parenting, and a dual certification in trauma and substance use.

I can help you with your challenges. I am confident I can assist individuals and couples struggling with anxiety, mood disorders, relationship issues, identity issues, familial issues, substance use, grief, and much much more.

I'm an experienced psychotherapist working with adolescents and their families dealing with depression, anxiety, self-injury, substance use, school anxiety and school refusal, hallucinations, suicidal ideation, family conflict and more. While my background and passion is adolescent, family and young adult mental health counseling, I am also experienced with adults in all life stages. My goal in treatment is to help clients improve internal resources as well as external support to meet their goals.

We all experience difficult emotions throughout the course of our lives. Pain, of all kinds, is a part of the human experience. Significant problems arise when pain turns into suffering. I believe by changing the way we view ourselves and view the world, we can alleviate suffering. My goal in therapy is to create a space for you to explore new ways of experiencing life's most difficult emotions.

Justin engages clients with a warm, empathetic, non-judgmental style. He specializes in working with young adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, and those in life transitions who find it challenging to move forward in life the way that they desire. Justin's develops a therapeutic relationship where the client can explore what provides them with a feeling of purpose, and learn how to navigate life at challenging times.

I’m so glad you’ve found your way here and are seeking to better yourself. Life can easily become overwhelming. Maybe you're struggling with stressful social interactions or you are working hard to keep your anger in check. Perhaps you’ve had a recent loss or experienced a traumatic relationship. I can walk through it with you and help to identify goals to challenge yourself and live more mindfully. I would love to help you reach your goals and improve your quality of life. I work with teens and young adults to address many concerns including social anxiety, grief, trauma, anger management, substance use, and stress management.

Life can be challenging. Everyone wants to be heard, and it is important to have an outlet. It can be hard to reach out when in need of support, and it can be even harder to find the right therapist for you. When first meeting with a client I focus on building a therapeutic alliance. I want to know your interests and what's important to you. I understand that in order for someone to make change support and care need to be built through trust. Trust doesn't come easy, but with patience, it can be built. I aim to develop a strong bond with each of my clients. You are not alone, we will walk together on your healing journey.

At Rise Strong Counseling, we strive in providing quality care. Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. Rise Strong Counseling maintains a commitment towards positive change for clients on their journey to self-discovery and personal growth.

My ideal clients are feeling stuck and looking to make positive changes in their lives. They are looking for a partner in their healing journey. They are looking to be heard, understood, and given practical solutions to overcome obstacles that are holding them back. They are looking for a therapist who does more than just listen and offer interpretations. They are looking to make tangible changes in their lives - working on issues of anxiety, depression, stress, relationship problems, grief, and substance use.

I believe that everyone should have a safe place to discuss their feelings with a person who is there to listen, non-judgmentally, and not offer advice but rather assist the individual in working through their feelings for a satisfactory resolution.

Personally, I know how difficult it was for me to get out of bed when suffering from depression and anxiety and to go about the everyday when concerned about having another panic attack. I know how valuable it was for me to have someone to talk to that wouldn't judge me or make me feel guilty about being exactly where I was at the time. The idea of "you should be fine", or "you have no reason to be anxious or depressed" is hurtful and doesn't help.

"In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety" (Abraham Maslow). Deciding to make changes in one's life takes courage. For many of us life can be difficult. Whether it's addiction, depression, relationship issues or just the fears and insecurities of life, we all have challenges we must face. Therapy is meant to be a safe place where we are able to find courage to walk through these challenges and to find real hope with practical help.

I have been helping people overcome life's challenges for 20+ years. I utilize a strength-based individual supportive approach to life stressors, family conflict, and behavioral issues. I work with adults, adolescents, and families struggling with a full range of issues, including those related to drug and alcohol addiction. I have experience with the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems, drug courts, the Health and Human Services systems, and the local school systems. I have provided individual and group therapy to the criminal justice population, as well as group therapy to those involved in out-patient substance abuse programs.

Would you like to feel more self-assured and empowered? Would you like to better advocate for your self in your personal and professional relationships? Would you like to feel more in control over the direction of your life? My specialty is working with those who struggle with depression/anxiety, self-esteem and relationship issues. I am passionate about helping people build on their strengths, achieve balance in their lives, and attain the personal growth and change they desire. My goal is to help my clients develop greater self-understanding, greater self-compassion and more meaningful supportive relationships.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. Are you feeling overwhelmed with life? Anxious, sad, stressed? Engaging in therapy is an opportunity to uncover your strengths, learn how to cope effectively with stress and emotional pain while improving your relationships. It is a time to reflect and process the past so you can become the best version of yourself. Working side by side, I will guide you on a journey of writing the next chapters of your life story.

Look at you! You’re taking steps to improve yourself by searching for a therapist. You want to understand yourself better and that is something to celebrate.

We all have the capacity for meaningful change and are deserving of a life of fulfillment. Sometimes we find that it can be difficult to make those changes and engage in daily living in ways that feel good to us. Barriers can show up in our lives in many ways. Maybe you have concerns with your relationships; find your mood is difficult to manage; are engaging in thoughts or behaviors that are no longer serving you; or having difficulty recognizing the positive within you. I am committed to providing a non-judgmental, compassionate and collaborative space for us to address what is getting in the way of the life that you deserve!