Everything you want to know before reaching out.

GETTING STARTED

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. The first call is free — no commitment, no pressure. It's just a conversation about where you are and whether we might be a good fit. Most people find it much easier than they expected.

What happens in the first session?

We talk. I'll ask about what's been going on, what you've tried before, and what you're hoping for. There's no intake form to fill out in the waiting room, no checklist to get through. I want to understand you as a person, not a diagnosis.

How long does treatment typically take?

It depends on where you're starting and what you're working toward. Some people make significant progress in a few months. Others find ongoing support valuable for a year or more. We'll check in regularly about how things are going and adjust accordingly.

ABOUT STEVE

Are you in recovery yourself?

Yes. I've been in recovery from gambling, drug, and alcohol addiction for over twenty-five years. It's not something I hide — it's the most important thing I can tell you about how I work.

Why should I work with a therapist who has personal recovery experience?

Most addiction therapists understand addiction academically. I understand it personally. I've been in recovery from gambling, drug, and alcohol addiction for over twenty-five years — which means I've lived the denial, the shame, the failed attempts to stop, and the slow work of building a life beyond it. That experience doesn't replace clinical training. It deepens it. When you sit across from me, you're not explaining yourself to someone reading from a textbook. You're talking to someone who has genuinely been there.

Do you work with clients outside of addiction recovery?

Yes. While addiction recovery is my primary specialty, I also work with clients on trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, shame, and relationship patterns. If you're not sure whether what you're dealing with is something I can help with, the best first step is a free 15-minute consultation — no commitment, no pressure.

What is an LMFT?

LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. It's a master's-level clinical license that qualifies me to diagnose and treat mental health and substance use conditions. Despite the name, LMFTs work with individuals just as often as couples and families.

What is AF-EMDR and do you use it?

Yes. AF-EMDR (Attachment-Focused EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy that works by reducing the emotional charge stored in painful memories and beliefs — reaching places that talk therapy alone sometimes can't. I was trained directly by Dr. Laurel Parnell, the clinician who developed the approach, and have been in ongoing consultation with her for eight years. AF-EMDR can be effective for trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, shame, and relationship patterns. Learn more about AF-EMDR →

What makes your approach different?

I don't see recovery as simply stopping a behavior. I see it as building a life you actually want to live. That means we work on the whole picture — your relationships, your sense of purpose, your emotional health — not just the addiction itself.

LOGISTICS

Do you accept insurance?

I accept several private insurance plans, including Aetna, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, and Cigna. If I’m out-of-network, I can also provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Many PPO plans offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services.

Where are you located?

My office is at 299 N. Euclid Ave., Suite 540, Pasadena, CA 91101.

Do you offer telehealth?

Yes. All services are available via secure video session for clients throughout California. Many clients prefer telehealth for the convenience and privacy it offers.

What are your hours?

I offer flexible scheduling including some evening and weekend availability. Contact me to discuss what works for your schedule.

ABOUT ADDICTION & TREATMENT

Is gambling really an addiction?

Absolutely. Problem gambling activates the same reward pathways in the brain as drugs and alcohol. It produces the same cycle of craving, use, and withdrawal. It causes the same devastation to relationships, finances, and self-worth — and it responds to the same evidence-based treatments.

Can family members come to sessions?

Yes. Addiction affects the whole family, and sometimes the most powerful work happens when loved ones are in the room. We can discuss whether family sessions make sense for your situation.

What if my loved one won't come to therapy?

You can still come. Working on your own response to someone else's addiction — your boundaries, your communication, your wellbeing — is valuable regardless of what your loved one chooses to do. Change in one part of a family system often creates change in others.

What's the difference between a therapist and a sponsor?

A sponsor provides peer support based on shared experience — it's an invaluable part of many people's recovery. A therapist provides clinical treatment — we can address underlying mental health issues, trauma, family dynamics, and patterns of behavior that a sponsor isn't trained to treat. The two work well together.

Serving clients in Los Angeles, Pasadena, the San Gabriel Valley, and throughout California via telehealth.