Substance Abuse and Addiction

 Is drug or alcohol use negatively impacting your life and your relationships? 

  • Do you worry that you may be abusing or are addicted to alcohol or drugs? 

  • Have you had a family member or friend tell you that they are concerned about your substance use?

  • Have you tried to quit or reduce substance use but weren’t able to stick with it? 

  • Are you a family member or friend of a loved one who is struggling with addiction?

  • Do you want to change your relationship with drugs or alcohol, but are not sure how to get started? 

We can help. 


You are not alone. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse and addiction, we know how painful that can be - both for the person using the substances and for their families and relationships. Individual, couples, and/or family therapy can be an incredibly effective tool to get a grip on substance abuse or addiction. 

We work with people wherever they are on the continuum of recovery. We help individuals and relationships that are: 

  • Looking to better understand and explore their relationship with substances

  • Acknowledging and becoming more aware that their substance use or addiction is problematic in their life and relationships 

  • Feeling unmotivated or overwhelmed because they have tried to quit or reduce usage in the past 

  • Healing after substance abuse or addiction has wreaked havoc on their intimate relationship 

  • Maintaining a long-term recovery program 

  • Supporting a loved one in their recovery process 

Recovering from Substance Abuse and Addiction

Our team of therapists has years of experience working with people who are navigating substance abuse and addiction. Our approach is client-centered, compassionate, and non-shaming. Together, we will explore the role that substances are playing in your life, your family, and in your relationships. We will then create a plan to support you to get from where you are currently to where you want to be. We recognize and support that there are various roads to recovery. While a Twelve Step approach to addiction recovery is very helpful for some people, there are also many other effective paths. 

Evidence-based Support 

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based therapeutic modality for individuals, couples, and families that focuses on our attachment needs and emotional regulation with self and others. We know that emotions play a significant role in our human experience and essential relationships. Through the EFT lens, substance abuse and addiction may be viewed as a surrogate attachment figure. This means that substance abuse and addiction can be understood as an attempt, or a coping strategy, to meet a neglected attachment need or longing. Working with our skilled and caring EFT-trained therapists, you will be supported to identify and change the negative relational patterns in your relationships - with yourself, with substances, and with loved ones.  We also draw from other evidence-based strategies to address substance use, including Motivational Interviewing.

How is EFT used for addiction treatment and recovery? 

EFT creates a safe and non-shaming space where you can talk about how substance abuse or addiction impacts both yourself and your relationships. If we are working with you as an individual, the focus will be on your relationship with yourself and the substance. We will explore your relationship with yourself including feelings of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-image. EFT can also help address trauma, abandonment, unhealthy attachment, feelings of rejection, and other issues that can create internal turmoil and fuel substance abuse. If we are working with you in the context of couple or family relationship therapy, the focus will be on the relational patterns and processes within the relationship that impact and are impacted by substance abuse or addiction. 

Is this the right level of treatment for me?

Individual, couples, and/or family therapy can be highly effective treatment for substance abuse and addiction. However, sometimes additional resources are required for the best level of support and change to occur. Together we will assess and determine if further resources or a higher level of care would be helpful for you. If we determine that further resources or a higher level of care are necessary, we will help connect you with other programs, resources, and supports in the community, and will be an advocate for you to get the care you need. 

What if I’m not sure if I have an addiction? 

It is common for individuals and loved ones to be unsure or confused if a certain amount of substance use indicates a substance abuse or addiction problem. We will work with you to assess and understand the current relationship with the substance(s) and the impact it has. We will also assess if there are other mental health conditions or relationship issues that co-exist with the substance use. Together we will help you better understand the scope of the issue and create a treatment plan that best serves your specific situation, needs, and goals. 

A Proven Track Record

Nancy Brittain, the founder and director of the practice, has extensive experience in various addiction treatment settings including residential, wilderness, intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings with clients ranging from teenagers to older adults. Nancy’s experience, expertise, and leadership extends to our team of caring and dedicated therapists. Our therapists receive ongoing training in evidence-based methods of supporting individuals and relationships. As a team, we are committed to ongoing learning, growth, and professional development, and we bring this knowledge and skill back to our clients. 

Change is Possible! 

Call us at 720-204-8589 or self-schedule an initial session or complimentary consultation with one of our skilled and caring therapists in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood. We offer both Telehealth and in-office appointments. Let’s get started to get you back on track in your relationships with yourself, substances, and the people most important to you!