Starting Here
Maybe your relationship with alcohol, substances, or a behavior has started to worry you or the people around you. Maybe you've tried to cut back before and it didn't stick.
Whatever brought you here, you don't need to have it all figured out—you don't even need to be certain it's a problem—to start talking to someone about it.
This Can Look Like
Struggles with addiction or substance use can look like:
- Using more, or more often, than you intend to
- Relying on a substance or behavior to cope with stress or emotion
- Hiding or minimizing use from people close to you
- Guilt, shame, or a cycle of promising yourself “this is the last time”
- Relationships or responsibilities affected by use
- Withdrawal, cravings, or difficulty stopping once you start
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy offers a non-judgmental space to look at what's really going on. We'll help you:
- Understand what the substance or behavior is helping you cope with
- Build coping skills that don't depend on using
- Address the anxiety, trauma, or stress often underneath addiction
- Reduce shame so change feels possible instead of punishing
- Involve family or a partner in the process, when that's helpful
Our Approach
We approach addiction and substance use as something to understand, not just stop. Treatment is collaborative and tailored to your goals—whether that's full sobriety, harm reduction, or simply understanding your relationship with a substance or behavior more clearly.
Therapeutic Approaches We May Use
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — identifying triggers and building new coping responses
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — connecting recovery to your values and goals
- Somatic Experiencing — addressing the nervous system dysregulation underneath cravings
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) — understanding what the addictive behavior is protecting you from
- Solution-Focused Therapy — building practical, achievable steps forward
Who Might Benefit From Treatment
Addiction and substance use therapy may be a good fit if you're:
- Questioning your relationship with alcohol, substances, or a behavior
- In recovery and wanting ongoing support to maintain it
- A family member wanting support around a loved one's substance use
- Managing addiction alongside anxiety, depression, or trauma
- Not sure it's “bad enough” to need help—you don't have to wait for a crisis
What to Expect in Therapy
Your first session is a judgment-free conversation about your relationship with the substance or behavior, your history, and what you're hoping changes.
Your therapist will work with you to set goals that make sense for your life, whether that's abstinence, reduction, or simply more awareness, and build a plan around them.
Sessions are available in person at our Midtown Nashville office or online for clients throughout Tennessee.
FAQ
Do I have to commit to sobriety to start therapy?
No. You can start therapy while still figuring out your goals. Many people begin simply wanting to understand their relationship with a substance or behavior more clearly before deciding on a specific outcome.
Is this a replacement for a treatment program or detox?
For some people, outpatient therapy is enough; for others, it works best alongside a higher level of care like an intensive outpatient program or medical detox. Your therapist can help you think through what level of support makes sense and provide referrals if needed.
Ready to begin counseling?
You don't have to keep carrying this on your own. Reach out to Nashville Counseling Associates, and we'll help connect you with a therapist whose training and approach fit your relationship with substance use, without judgment.
