Addiction Counseling

Addiction & Substance Use

At New Life Counseling, we believe in treating addictive disorders in a holistic and faith-based manner. We understand that addiction and addictive issues are not just physical afflictions; we acknowledge that there are also emotional and spiritual suffering and that if the individual can heal those wounds, the addiction or symptoms are easier to manage and even heal. We focus on the individual, paying attention to their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs. We understand that addiction touches all of these aspects and so our focus is in healing the whole person, not just symptoms of issues.nnFaith-based counseling believes in unconditional love, forgiveness, acceptance, self-esteem, self-respect, and community. We believe that recovery is a personal journey and so we are ready to meet you where you are and to serve you no matter your faith or religious beliefs.nnDual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders are common in individuals who struggle with drugs, alcohol, gambling, and sex addiction, including eating disorders, clinical depression, anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar disorders, personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive (OCD), panic attacks, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Our clinicians are all qualified to assist in the management of all these issues.

Pornography & Sexual Addiction

While pornography and sex are not currently recognized as a medical addiction, those who struggle with these things may experience and display the same characteristics of any of type of addiction such as cravings, poor impulse control, neglecting responsibility, and engaging in self-defeating behaviors. These can be treated with the same interventions as any other addiction.

Disordered Eating

Eating disorders can be life-threatening and can occur in people of any age, sex, race, and all types of body sizes. Eating disorders can be serious and complex where an individual develops an unhealthy relationship with food, their weight or appearance, and can manifest in anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Eating disorders can be caused by several different complex factors but they are treatable.nnIt is possible to recover and change eating behavior with the right support and treatment. Our outpatient treatment may include coordination of care between a therapist, our nutritionist (RDN), and the patient's primary care physician.

Other

We treat all addictions and addictive disorders with a faith-based approach, including use of prayer and scripture. We also use theoretical approaches including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), and teach skills for relapse prevention, life skills, behavioral skills, and boundaries.

Addiction Counselors

Jessica is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).  She holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Counseling of Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders and a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.  

Jessica's experience includes working with Medication Assisted Treatment, case management, and program development and management. She has experience running psychoeducational therapy groups with adults, and has worked with both residential and outpatient levels of care, including the creation and development of an Intensive Outpatient Program.  She worked at House of Mercy as a Substance Abuse Counselor in the Residential facility and has extensive knowledge and experience working with the Department of Human Services as well as Probation and Parole. She has been utilizing skills from treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Restructuring, Person-Centered Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, and the Matrix Model.

Read more

Mike has a degree in Church Education, and a master’s degree in Counseling. He has his Temp LMHC and is working towards full mental health counseling licensure. Mike serviced as a youth minister for 15 years and has spent the last 10 serving youth and families in a social work capacity, providing in-home behavioral health services in addition to leading and training staff.

Mike is passionate about supporting people in their growth of awareness and acknowledgment, leading to changes in thinking and living.

Read more  

Stephanie's clinical experience includes working with adolescent, adult individuals, and couples utilizing a faith-based approach coupled with the therapeutic models of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-focused practices. 

Stephanie utilizes individualized treatment plans to meet each client where they are at including the areas of depression and anxiety, PTSD, addictions and recovery, relational conflict, grief and loss, emotional regulation, and difficult life changes/transitions.

Stephanie only sees patients via telehealth.

Read more

Jackie has worked over 40 years serving people in a variety of settings and has a heart for those who struggle with depression, feelings of inadequacies, anxiousness, trauma, or are walking through losses and other transitions in their lives. She also has a passion for counseling adults who are bound by addictions of various types. For those who are open to spiritual supports, she incorporates the Bible, and prayer in the counseling room, encouraging others in their relationship with God.

Jackie has a Master of Science degree and utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), as well as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) is a therapy designed to heal traumatic and stressful life experiences by decreasing the distressing emotions connected to those experiences.

Read more  

Rick holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling and completed a residency in clinical pastoral education (CPE) and served as a staff chaplain. He worked in Employee and Family resources for 22 years counseling individuals, couples, adolescents and those with addictions and employee issues. Rick is also a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP).

Rick enjoys working from a Christian perspective and is a Strength-based, Positive, Cognitive Behavioral therapist. He enjoys working with folks who are worried, unhappy, discouraged and searching for meaning in their lives. Couples are able to develop a new closeness through mutual respect and positive dialogue becoming supportive caring allies.

Rick only sees patients via telehealth.

Read more  

Heather’s clinical area of focus is working with adolescent and adult clients dealing with depression, anxiety, relational conflict, grief and loss, postpartum depression, and life transitions. Her approach is to help you learn ways to deal with present circumstances, gain insight from your past, as well as hope for the future. She likes to assess you holistically and work with you to balance all areas of your life: spiritually, relationally, physically, nutritionally, mentally, and emotionally.

Heather has a Master of Arts degree in Community counseling and School Counseling with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She uses an eclectic approach to counseling including various interventions from (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral, (DBT) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and (TBRI) Trust Based Relational therapy. She also has an interest in how nutrition and gut health affect mental health. Heather is currently pursuing and learning more about nutritional and integrative medicine for mental health professionals. She only offers sessions through Telehealth as an online therapist for New Life Counseling.

Heather only sees patients via telehealth.

Read more  

DeAnne has a B.A in Psychology and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has her Temp LMHC and is working towards full licensure.

DeAnne works under the umbrella of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, utilizing REBT, EFT, Family Systems, and Motivational Interviewing. She is a certified SYMBIS facilitator for pre-marital couples and is currently working toward Gottman marriage certification.

Read more

Brooklynn has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a graduate degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis which she is set to finish this year. Brooklynn has experience working at a behavioral analysis clinic for kids with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism. She also spent 5 years in Columbia in the mission field working with kids, youth, and adults facing extreme trauma; she is bilingual.

Brooklynn sees people of all stages and ages though her focus is mainly on children, adolescents, marriage and family therapy, and trauma therapy. She will see children as young as 3 years of age and individuals with special needs including but not limited to autism, down syndrome, and genetic disorders. If an individual is nonverbal, she will provide parent training sessions to the parents so they can implement practices at home.

Read more  

Are you ready to get started?

From the Blog: Addiction

Marijuana leaves with the text "If God Made Marijuana" over the image.

A New Take On Life

By Jessica Pottorff | October 10, 2023

With National Recovery Month behind us, let us not lose our momentum in the fight against addiction. In July we talked about the concept of being “California Sober, ” and this month I want to continue that conversation and address another interesting argument in favor of the use of Marijuana that I have been encountering more often…Christian’s and THC.

Read More
5 spoons alternating, each with supplements in them and a word bubble over the images reading "dietary supplements...what's to know?"

Dietary Supplements | What’s to know

By Linda Wilcox | September 25, 2023

There are all kinds of dietary supplements on the market today for just about anything. Not all supplements are created equal, and there is little quality standardization of these products. Unlike prescription and over-the-  counter medication, the Food and Drug Administration does not establish standards for the contents of dietary supplements. With so many products on the market to choose from, an independent third-party certification program can help guide you in deciding what supplements to choose.

Read More
Purple background with two hands holding out a paper cutout of a family holding hands, and the text "It runs in the family" above.

A New Take On Life

By Jessica Pottorff | September 25, 2023

National Recovery Month:

Promote and support an understanding of mental health and substance use disorders. The official color for National Recovery Month is purple. The theme for 2023’s Recovery Month is: Hope is Real. Recovery is Real. Please visit www.samhsa.gov/recovery-month to find out ways that you can join in the celebration of healing and freedom from addiction!

Read More