EMDR Therapy for Substance Use & Problematic Behaviors
For many professionals and leaders, stress does not always show up as anxiety or overthinking. It can also show up in patterns such as drinking, overworking, or other ways of managing intensity at the end of the day.
These patterns often develop for a reason. They can reduce pressure in the short term, but over time may become more automatic and harder to shift, especially when they are tied to stress, shame, or specific triggering situations.
I provide online EMDR therapy for substance use and related behaviors, with a focus on understanding how these patterns developed and what continues to maintain them. The goal is not simply to stop a behavior, but to work through the underlying experiences and triggers so that your responses become more flexible and intentional. This work is part of my broader approach to online EMDR therapy in California, which you can learn more about here.
→ Online EMDR Therapy in California
When Drinking Becomes Part of the Culture
In many professional environments, alcohol is part of how people connect, celebrate, and manage stress. It can show up in networking events, client meetings, and end-of-day routines, which can make it harder to notice when it has become a primary way of coping.
Over time, what starts as a social norm can become more automatic, especially in response to stress, pressure, or specific situations. This can make it difficult to separate what is externally reinforced from what is personally driven.
In therapy, we look at the situations where drinking tends to show up, along with the experiences and triggers connected to it. EMDR is then used to process those underlying drivers so that the response becomes less automatic and more within your control.
Beyond Alcohol: Other Patterns That Can Serve a Similar Function
Not everyone uses alcohol. For some, these patterns show up as overworking, constant productivity, late-night scrolling, or difficulty disengaging from work.
From the outside, these behaviors are often reinforced, especially in environments that value output and efficiency. Over time, however, they can become closely tied to stress, pressure, or specific emotional states.
In therapy, we look at when these patterns tend to occur and what they are connected to. EMDR is then used to process the underlying experiences and triggers so that these responses are less automatic and more flexible.
How EMDR Therapy Helps with Substance Use and Related Behaviors
EMDR therapy focuses on the experiences and triggers that continue to influence patterns of substance use or other coping behaviors.
In many cases, these patterns are connected to earlier experiences involving stress, shame, or situations that felt overwhelming or unresolved. Over time, those experiences can become linked to present-day triggers, leading to more automatic responses.
During EMDR, we identify specific memories, situations, and internal responses that connect to the patterns you are noticing now. The goal is to help your brain process these experiences so they no longer carry the same intensity or lead to the same automatic reactions.
As this work progresses, people often notice changes in how they respond to triggers, including less reactivity, more awareness of choice, and a greater ability to pause before acting on an urge.
My Approach
I bring advanced training in addiction-focused EMDR and integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS, Level 1 trained) when helpful. My style is warm, direct, and collaborative, and we move at a pace that supports both stability and forward progress.
In our work together, we identify the situations and experiences that are most closely connected to patterns of stress, shame, or craving. EMDR is used to process those experiences so they no longer trigger the same intensity in the present.
When appropriate, IFS can help clarify how different parts of your experience relate to these patterns, including the ways certain responses may have developed as forms of protection. This allows the work to move forward in a way that is both structured and responsive to what comes up in session.
Next Steps
If you’re considering this work, the next step is to schedule a consultation. This gives us a chance to talk through what you’re noticing, what you would like to be different, and whether this approach is a good fit. If you have questions about how the process works or what to expect, you can review the FAQ page before scheduling.