Addiction-Focused Therapy in NYC and Online

Maybe nobody else knows. You still show up, still perform, still get it done. But the drinking, the pills or the thing you said you'd stop has started making decisions for you. And you're tired of keeping track of the story.

Or maybe you're already sober and finding that not drinking was the easy part. Everything underneath is still there.

Wherever you are, you don't have to hit a dramatic bottom, or call yourself anything, to start.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

Who we work with

People who are questioning their drinking or use and want to figure it out privately, without a label
High-functioning professionals whose use is hidden behind a demanding career
People in early recovery who need support beyond meetings
People in long-term sobriety facing what's underneath: trauma, grief, anxiety, relationships
Anyone who has relapsed and wants to understand why without being shamed for it
Family members and partners of someone struggling with addiction

We treat alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and prescription drugs.

Recovery means more than stopping

Substances usually started as a solution. They quieted anxiety, numbed grief, made social life tolerable or helped you keep up. Take them away without addressing what they were solving, and you're left gritting your teeth through every day, or using again.

That's why our therapists treat addiction alongside what drives it. Many have years of experience in New York's recovery programs, working with trauma and addiction together.

How we work

Meeting you where you are. Whether your goal is abstinence or simply understanding your relationship with a substance, we start with your goals.
Motivational interviewing to work through ambivalence. Part of you wants to change and part of you doesn't. Both get a voice.
CBT and relapse prevention. Spotting triggers, high-risk situations and the thinking that leads back, and building a plan for each.
Trauma-informed care, including Seeking Safety and EMDR, when past experiences are fueling the need to escape.
Mindfulness practices for cravings and the restlessness of early recovery.
Connection. Our Resilient Recovery group offers support between sessions.

We provide outpatient therapy. If you need medical detox or a more intensive program, we'll help you find the right one and coordinate your care.

Therapists who specialize in addiction

David Rachman, MS, LMSW

In person in Midtown Manhattan and online. Works at Odyssey House treating addiction and trauma, leads Seeking Safety and grief groups, and brings a long mindfulness practice to his work.

Patsy Iannico, MS, LMHC

Online. Clinical supervisor at a Brooklyn addiction treatment center with deep intensive outpatient experience.

Paulina Shilevsky, LMSW

Online. Former psychotherapist at Parallax Center, specializing in addiction and co-occurring disorders. Offers sessions in English, Russian, French and Spanish.

Alexis Sturnick, LCSW, PMH-C

Our founder. Online. Trained in addiction treatment at Yale and in eating disorders, compulsions and addictions at the William Alanson White Institute.

Privacy

We know discretion matters, especially if your career depends on it. Your sessions are confidential, within the standard legal limits we explain up front. If you pay privately, nothing goes to an insurer unless you choose to submit for reimbursement.

Addiction and recovery FAQ

Do I have to quit completely to start therapy?

No. Many people start therapy unsure what they want. We'll help you get clear on your goals and work toward them, whether that's sobriety or understanding your use.

How do I know if I have a problem?

A useful question: is your use causing problems you keep promising yourself you'll fix? If you're asking, it's worth a conversation. Our free consultation is a no-pressure place to start.

Is therapy a replacement for AA or a program?

It can work alongside them or on its own. Some clients use 12-step or SMART Recovery; others don't. We support whatever helps.

What does sober curious mean?

Sober curious means exploring your relationship with alcohol, and what life looks like with less of it, without committing to a label. Therapy is a good place to do that honestly.

Do you offer detox?

No. We're an outpatient practice. If you need medical detox, we'll help you find a program and continue with you afterward.

Will my employer find out?

Therapy is confidential, within the few legal limits we review with every client at the start. We don't contact employers, and if you pay privately we share nothing with insurers unless you choose to submit a superbill.

Can I use my insurance?

Many of our clients use out-of-network benefits, and we provide monthly superbills to make reimbursement easier. We're in network with Northwell Direct, and some of our therapists are in network with other plans. We'll help you figure out your options during your free consultation. See cost and insurance details.

Start wherever you are

Book a free 15-minute consultation. No labels, no pressure, just a conversation about what you want.