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Working With a Private Substance Abuse Counselor Versus a Treatment Program or AA: My Perspective

Michael OBrien

As an addiction treatment expert serving individuals throughout California—from the bustling city of Los Angeles to the Bay Area of San Francisco and Oakland, down to San Diego, and all the way north to Sacramento—as well as Oregon’s major cities like Portland, Salem, and Eugene, I have witnessed firsthand how personalized, private addiction counseling can make a profound difference in someone’s recovery journey.


In my role as a private substance abuse counselor (also referred to as a private addiction counselor or private chemical dependency counselor), I often get asked about the key differences between working with someone like me in a one-on-one setting versus participating in a traditional treatment program or attending a 12-step group such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Each path to recovery can be effective and valuable, but there are some unique advantages to private counseling that I’d like to share from my own experience.


Male with beard intently listening to addiction counselor.

1. True Privacy and Confidentiality


When you step into my office—whether it’s here in California or across the border in Oregon—you have my undivided attention and the assurance of strict confidentiality. While group therapy in a treatment program or at an AA meeting may offer a sense of community, it can sometimes feel intimidating if you’re worried about sharing personal issues in front of others.


  • In private addiction counseling, you don’t have to hold back. You’re free to discuss your history, your struggles, and your hopes without fear of judgment from peers.

  • Confidentiality is paramount. My clients come from diverse backgrounds—busy professionals in Los Angeles, students in Portland, parents in San Francisco—and they often need a high level of discretion for their own comfort and peace of mind.

  • I also offer a completely confidential addiction coaching option for discerning clients requiring total discretion. In this specialized private coaching model, you can choose to use a pseudonym, communicate securely via platforms like Telegram, and even pay with cryptocurrency. This ensures that every step of the process can remain private, and your true identity never has to be revealed if that is your preference.


2. A Recovery Plan Customized Entirely to You


One of the biggest reasons people in regions like Orange County, Sacramento, San Jose, Salem, and Eugene choose private substance abuse counseling is the ability to tailor every component of their treatment plan. In a traditional inpatient or outpatient treatment program, you’ll often find a more structured, one-size-fits-all approach designed for a group. In contrast:


  • I focus on your unique needs—your personal history with addiction, co-occurring disorders, family dynamics, and career or academic demands.

  • Together we set goals specific to your life and ambitions, allowing us to work on what is most relevant to you, whether that is integrating therapy sessions around your work schedule, addressing family relationships head-on, or incorporating approaches like motivational interviewing, or trauma-informed care, all chosen specifically for you.


3. Flexibility With Scheduling and Intensity


As a private addiction counselor, I understand that life is busy. My clients often need to juggle careers, family responsibilities, or academic obligations. Unlike a structured treatment program that demands a set attendance schedule, or daily/weekly group meetings like AA, I offer:


  • Flexible scheduling options: We can adapt session days and times to fit your lifestyle—especially important for those with unpredictable work schedules in places like Silicon Valley or who often travel for business between California and Oregon.

  • Customized intensity: If you’re in a crisis or experiencing a high-stress period, we might increase the frequency of our sessions. If you’re in a stable phase of recovery, we can opt for fewer sessions to focus on maintaining progress.


4. Dedicated, One-on-One Treatment Time


In a group therapy setting, the counselor’s attention is divided among many participants. During a private session, however:


  • Every minute is about you. We can dive deep into unresolved trauma, explore harmful thought patterns, or develop coping strategies without the distractions that come with a group.

  • You shape the conversation. In individual counseling, there’s no waiting for someone else to share or worrying about “taking too much time.” Our sessions flow entirely around your needs in that moment.


5. Working With a Seasoned Practitioner


While many treatment programs have excellent, trained staff, it’s not uncommon for newer counselors, interns, or peer recovery coaches to provide the bulk of services. In private practice, you generally work directly with:


  • An experienced professional: I hold both CADC II and NCAC I certifications and have spent years developing my expertise in substance abuse counseling. I keep abreast of the latest research, best practices, and evidence-based methodologies, ensuring that your counseling experience is anchored in proven techniques.

  • Specialized knowledge: My familiarity with substance use trends in California and Oregon—ranging from opioid addiction to alcohol dependency and beyond—helps me tailor plans to meet the specific challenges my clients face in different communities (e.g., the bustling nightlife of Los Angeles or the craft beer culture in Portland).


6. The Importance of Relationship Building


Addiction counseling is most effective when you feel safe and supported. In a private setting:


  • You and I build a trusting, therapeutic alliance. This bond is key to recovery; it allows for honesty, vulnerability, and growth.

  • Consistency of care: You’re not shuffled between various staff members or rotating counselors. You’ll typically see the same counselor—me—throughout your journey, allowing for deeper understanding of your evolving needs.


7. Integrating Family and Loved Ones


Substance abuse doesn’t just affect the individual struggling with addiction; it also impacts their family, friends, and coworkers. In some structured programs, there may be limited opportunities to involve loved ones. In private counseling:


  • We can customize family involvement based on what will serve you best. If family education and support is appropriate, we’ll design sessions that help everyone communicate openly and heal together.

  • Flexible approach: If you prefer more solitary work before inviting family members into the process, we can structure the timeline around your comfort and readiness.


8. Complementing Other Recovery Resources


Choosing private addiction counseling doesn’t mean you can’t also benefit from treatment programs or self-help groups like AA or NA. Many of my clients combine our one-on-one sessions with other forms of support, as:


  • Private counseling can enhance the skills and insights you gain from group work or 12-step meetings.

  • If you’ve completed a treatment program, private sessions can provide the aftercare needed to maintain momentum and reinforce sobriety in everyday life.


9. Cost Considerations and Value


Private substance abuse counseling can sometimes seem more expensive upfront than attending free or low-cost support groups or enrolling in certain insurance-backed programs. However:


  • The long-term value can be immense, given the personalized attention, accelerated progress, and minimized risk of relapse due to the highly tailored approach.

  • Some insurance plans do cover individual counseling. I encourage clients to explore their benefits thoroughly and consider the return on investment in terms of recovery success and life improvements.


10. Finding the Right Fit for You


Ultimately, the most important factor in recovery is finding a method that resonates with your personal needs and circumstances. It might be a group outpatient program in San Jose, a 12-step meeting in downtown Portland, or a one-on-one private counselor in Orange County. My goal is to help you understand the benefits of private substance abuse counseling so you can make an informed decision about what aligns with your lifestyle, goals, and comfort level.


Working with a private addiction counselor can offer heightened privacy, a fully tailored recovery plan, flexible scheduling, and an experienced professional’s complete focus on you. Whether you live in the heart of Los Angeles, near the Redwood forests of Northern California, or in the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon, private substance abuse counseling (also known as private addiction counseling, substance abuse counseling, or chemical dependency counseling) can provide a unique and powerful path toward lasting recovery.

I’ve been privileged to walk this path with many individuals over the years—witnessing them transform their lives, relationships, and futures. If you’re considering taking that first step or are looking to switch gears from a more general program, I invite you to explore private counseling and discover how truly personalized attention can impact your journey to sobriety.


— Michael O’Brien, CADC II, NCAC I, Private Substance Abuse Counselor Serving California and Oregon

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Michael O'Brien, CADC II, NCAC I

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If you’re in crisis, call the free, 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or (800) 273-8255. If your situation is an emergency, dial 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. I do not provide emergency services; if you or someone else may be in danger, these resources can offer immediate assistance.

Please note that using this website does not establish a counselor-client relationship. I am a state and nationally certified professional substance abuse counselor, certified to provide substance abuse counseling in California and Oregon.  I provide coaching services nationwide and internationally. The information on this site should not replace a thorough medical or mental health evaluation by a qualified professional.

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