Harm reduction began as a public health movement focused on reducing the negative consequences of substance use. In psychotherapy, those same principles create space to explore your relationship with substances, behaviors, or other patterns while honoring your autonomy and goals.

Harm Reduction Psychotherapy

Often people are told to go to one place to get help for substance use/misuse and another place to address mental health concerns. This can fragment treatment, limit recovery, and perpetuate the social stigma around substance users. Harm Reduction Psychotherapy combines the principles of harm reduction with those of psychotherapy; which allows concern around substance use and additional concerns (ex: depression, anxiety, or trauma) to be treated simultaneously.

Rather than assuming there is one "right" outcome, harm reduction begins with your goals. Together we explore what is working, what isn't, and what meaningful change looks like for you. This means that the relationship between the therapist and client is paramount to treatment and is often where the treatment begins.

Although harm reduction is often associated with substance use, I also integrate its principles into work with chronic pain, impulsivity, and other behaviors or patterns that feel difficult, risky, or stuck.

Learn More About Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction Coalition

Article on Harm Reduction Psychotherapy by Dr. Andrew Tatarsky

Center for Harm Reduction Therapy

My hope is to create a space where you don't have to defend, justify, or hide your relationship with substances or other behaviors. Together we can become curious about what's happening, what purpose it serves, and where change might become possible.

If you're curious whether a harm reduction approach might be a good fit, I'd be happy to talk with you.