Welcome to Hot Topics! In this episode, host Gabrielle Crichlow explores the intersection of addiction and mental health with guest Larissa Valeriano. They delve into the connection between these two issues and discuss how substance use often serves as a coping mechanism for underlying mental health issues. Larissa emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses both addiction and mental health simultaneously, rather than treating addiction as a temporary solution.

Larissa highlights the development of negative core beliefs stemming from unmet emotional needs and how these beliefs can lead to negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, including substance use. She emphasizes the need for incorporating a relapse prevention plan for addiction and inner child work to address these core wounds.

The conversation also explores the role of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in addressing addiction by challenging negative thoughts and beliefs. Larissa emphasizes the significance of changing one's environment and thought processes to support recovery.

Throughout the episode, Larissa emphasizes that addiction and mental health issues can affect individuals from all backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. She highlights the universal nature of these issues, with clients ranging from teenagers to older adults.

Overall, this episode underscores the importance of self-validation, positive self-talk, and cognitive restructuring in therapy to address addiction and promote recovery. It offers valuable insights into the intersection of addiction and mental health and highlights the comprehensive services and support provided by Continuum Outpatient, a mental health and addiction services organization based in Texas.

Who is Larissa Valeriano?
Larissa Valeriano brings a comprehensive approach to treatment to clients. As the Clinical Director with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and an LPC Associate license, Larissa’s approach to solutions and outcomes is rooted in connections, vulnerability, servant leadership, and adding value to others. In addition to serving as the clinical director at Continuum, Larissa provides individual counseling, working closely with clients to process childhood and adulthood trauma and teaching emotional regulation skills and other DBT and CBT coping skills. She is trained in EMDR therapy and specializes in trauma and substance use disorders. Larissa understands the importance of bringing evidence-based therapy to clients and ensures that she and her treatment team provide ethical therapeutic approaches and utilize best practices.

You can find Larissa (updated):
On the web: https://continuumoutpatient.com/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/continuumotc
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuumotc/
By Email: larissa@continuumoutpatient.com

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/1pFc4vLTm1s

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Original date of episode: November 8, 2023