Addiction & substance use therapists

Psychologist, PhD

Dr. John Ferrera is a licensed psychologist in New York City, working as a clinical neuropsychologist and learning specialist with 13 years in practice. He works with toddlers through adults and with families on learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression and OCD, and he offers parent coaching. His holistic method pairs cognitive reframing, which targets unhelpful thought patterns, with behavior change and mindfulness practice. He also looks at daily habits such as sleep, exercise, food sensitivities, social contact and intellectual interests, which he groups under the idea of a personal sensory diet. Psychological testing and evaluation are part of his work as well. He sees clients in person in New York and online.

Psychologist, PsyD, NCSP

Dr. Chelsey Laurito is a licensed psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist in New York City with four years in practice. She specializes in children, adolescents and young adults, and she also sees adults of all ages. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, school and learning issues, autism and life transitions. Her approach is warm and person-centered, using cognitive behavioral therapy alongside ACT, DBT and motivational interviewing. She works with clients to set goals, spot obstacles and build practical strategies, keeping each person's values at the center so the work fits their life. She sees clients in person in New York and online.

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PhD, MA, MSSW, LCSW

Matthew Cordova Frankel is a licensed clinical social worker in Forest Hills, Queens. He sees children, teens, adults, older adults, couples and families, whether they are new to therapy or have tried it before without lasting change. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship conflict, grief, OCD, ADHD and self-defeating patterns. His training spans CBT, DBT, mindfulness and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and he also draws on attachment-based, emotionally focused and family systems work. Before social work he earned a PhD in English literature and taught the humanities at the university level for over a decade, and he now teaches and supervises other therapists. Sessions are available in person in Forest Hills and online.

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW

Mandie Pitrel is a licensed clinical social worker based in Sherman Oaks with 14 years in practice. Pitrel works with teens, adults, couples and families, especially during periods of change such as divorce, the loss of a loved one, becoming a parent or an empty nest, a career shift, starting college or the move from adolescence into adulthood. Areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships and couples work, grief, family concerns and substance use. The approach is eclectic and strength-based, drawing on CBT and psychodynamic therapy, with an emphasis on facing fears, holding hard emotions with compassion and letting go of shame. Sessions are offered online.

Psychologist, PsyD

Dr. Katie Strang is a licensed psychologist in Encino who works with teens, young adults, adults, parents and families. She focuses on intense emotions and emotion dysregulation, relationship difficulties and harmful behaviors, as well as anxiety, depression, OCD, borderline personality and substance use. She has more than ten years of experience delivering comprehensive DBT and CBT, is DBT-Linehan Board certified, and previously served as clinical director of a large group practice focused on CBT and DBT. She also uses exposure and response prevention. She brings a warm, collaborative, solution-focused style and is an LGBTQIA+ allied clinician who aims for an inclusive, culturally sensitive experience. She offers a free 15-minute consultation and sees clients in person in Encino and online.

Psychologist, PhD

Dr. Nicolette Zangari is a licensed psychologist in Long Beach who works with teens, adults, older adults and couples. Her focus areas include trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, sexuality and identity, and relationship concerns. Her research background is in gender and sexuality, and much of her clinical experience has been helping veterans recover from PTSD; she has also treated psychosis and personality disorders. Her integrative approach blends ACT, DBT, relational and psychodynamic methods, adapted to each client, with a strong emphasis on safety in the therapy relationship. She brings compassion and humor to the work. She offers a free 15-minute phone consultation and sees clients in person in Long Beach and online.

Psychologist, PsyD

Dr. Matthew Landstrom is a licensed psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist in Schaumburg who sees toddlers, children, teens, adults and families. His work starts with thorough testing, using a personalized battery of assessments to pin down the main factors behind a problem along with smaller ones that may be easy to miss, so treatment can be more targeted. He evaluates and treats ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, autism, traumatic brain injury and other cognitive and emotional difficulties. Beyond evaluation, he follows clients and families through treatment and offers non-medication options such as neurofeedback, biofeedback and cognitive training. He also provides forensic and fitness-for-duty evaluations. He sees clients in person in Schaumburg and online.

Psychologist, PhD

Dr. Maria Rago is a licensed psychologist in Naperville with 29 years in practice, much of it devoted to eating disorders. She has worked with individuals, couples and families affected by eating disorders across residential, inpatient and outpatient care, and she led ANAD, a national anorexia and eating disorders association, as president for 13 years. She also treats related concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, body image, self-esteem, grief, self-injury and addiction, and she sees children, teens, adults and older adults. Her style is deeply relational and steady. Methods include CBT, DBT, ACT, exposure and response prevention, EMDR and family therapy. She sees clients in person in Naperville and online.

Counselor, LCPC, R-DMT, GLCMA

Julie Brannen is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Evanston with 12 years in practice and a registered dance/movement therapist. She works with adults, couples and families on trauma, anxiety, depression, relationships, grief, life transitions, self-esteem, eating and body image concerns, and substance use. Her ideal clients already have some footing and support and want to close the gap between where they are and where they hope to be, with lasting tools and habits. Her approach is rooted in genuine connection and embodied compassion, starting from the view that clients are already whole. She draws on dance/movement and art therapy, somatic and mindfulness practices, ACT, DBT and attachment-based work. Sessions are in person in Evanston and online.