Addiction Counseling of Santa Cruz
Alan Strachan, Ph.D.
(831) 685-3100

Transforming Addiction

Addiction can take many forms. Some common addictions are food, alcohol, tobacco, prescription and non-prescription drugs, gambling, video games, television, smartphones, internet browsing, pornography, shopping, and work.

Do you think you might be struggling with an addiction? Are you engaged in a behavior which:

• You feel compelled to repeat?
• You continue to do even though you notice that it is causing harm?
• Makes you feel dissatisfied, irritable or filled with craving when you are not immediately able to engage in the behavior?
  

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you may have an addiction, and addiction counseling could be an effective first step toward regaining control of your life.

The Advantages of Addiction Counseling

Addiction counseling offers you the opportunity to:

• Take stock of your life, and to notice what is working well, in contrast with what feels out of balance or out of control
• Discover the underlying reasons for your addictive behavior
• Develop a plan for taking hold of your life
• Identify supportive resources to help you to make the changes you desire
• Explore the deeper meaning or spiritual context for your behavior

Addiction counseling offers a safe, non-judgmental, supportive atmosphere for you to explore these and other issues related to addictive behavior.

Addiction Counseling Santa Cruz
Alan Strachan, Ph.D.
(831) 685-3100

My Approach to Addiction Counseling

I view addictive processes as unconscious attempts to achieve wholeness.

From this perspective, symptoms are not an indication that something is “bad” or “sick” or “wrong” with a person. Instead, when addiction counseling is approached with compassion and nonjudgmental curiosity, symptoms become clues that can reveal our hopes and fears, our dreams and our pain. Symptoms reveal the deeper meaning of our lives and point the way toward growth and healing.

When we are caught in an addictive process, we are mired in a repetitive loop of thought, behavior and feeling that keeps us from the deeper wisdom, fulfillment, freedom and self-acceptance that our hearts desire.

Addiction is thus a process and a story that is unique for each person. Understanding the very personal story behind an addictive process means taking into account a wide range of factors that include psychological, relational, emotional, biological, chemical, social, political and spiritual issues.

Although two people may have an addiction issue that appears similar, their underlying stories - and the path to bringing their lives into deeper balance - may be very different. As just one example, some clients benefit from participation in 12-step recovery groups, while others prefer different forms of support.

My focus at all times is to recognize and support each person’s unique story, inner wisdom and innate capacity for self-transformation. Together we can try to find the path of healing that is right for you.

My Background

I have offered addiction counseling in my private practice since 1985. I have worked with hundreds of clients who have been dealing with a wide variety of addictions, both behavioral and chemical.

The training I have received in addiction counseling includes 8 years studying Process Work with Arnold Mindell. One of the central facets of Process Work is discovering the meaning and purpose of symptoms, including symptoms of addiction.

Along with my private practice, I was the staff psychotherapist at SRI International (formerly the Stanford Research Institute) for 9 years. While at SRI I provided addiction counseling to staff, coordinated inpatient treatment when necessary, and created a manual on Substance Abuse in the Workplace.

In the field of sex and love addiction, I have offered trainings to other psychotherapists on Sexual Obsession and the Loss of Self.

Appointments

For a free phone consultation or to make an appointment, please call me at Addiction Counseling Santa Cruz: (831) 685-3100.

Addiction Counseling in Santa Cruz
Alan Strachan, Ph.D.
(831) 685-3100

Whatever you can dream, begin it. Boldness has genius,
power and magic in it. ~ Goethe