Many substance abuse programs are designed to work with men and do not address issues that are specific to women.  Men make up the majority population of substance abusers and many agencies do not have funds available to provide services for special populations. 

I currently use techniques specific to women (and unique to the client) when I work with them individually and in groups to help them meet their counseling and recovery goals. When working with women with substance abuse issues my treatment plans and services cover body image, post partum depression, child care, parenting, transportation, employment, codependency, physical abuse, victimization, and other issues related to the individual client. 

I use cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) and gestalt techniques in individual therapy sessions to give the clients an opportunity to discuss problems in the “here and now” to help them gain insight into what they need to work on to move to (and stay in) recovery and meet their recovery and life goals.

In my work with clients, I use a holistic counseling approach where I look at the whole person and develop interventions to help clients gain insight through music, poetry, journaling, exercise, meditation and different counseling interventions.  In addition to working with women, I also work with men and adolescents.