Michael O'Brien, CADC II, NCAC I
Private Addiction Counselor in California and Oregon.
Substance Abuse Coaching Nationwide and Internationally.
Services
Substance Abuse Recovery Counseling
I offer comprehensive substance abuse recovery counseling to clients in both California and Oregon, delivered entirely through secure phone or video sessions. This virtual format ensures you can access professional support without leaving the comfort and privacy of your home or office. All counseling sessions are protected by state and federal confidentiality laws, as well as counselor-client privilege, so you can feel confident sharing openly about your concerns.
Before we begin ongoing counseling, I conduct a thorough assessment using the latest tools for screening and evaluating substance use disorders. We spend 90 minutes to two hours in this initial session, allowing ample time to explore the biological, psychological, and social factors that may be driving your substance use. Based on the insights we gather, I work with you to develop a tailored recovery plan designed to address your unique needs and goals.
During our weekly or bi-weekly sessions, I use Motivational Interviewing (MI), an evidence-based counseling method proven effective in helping individuals resolve ambivalence, overcome insecurities, and develop the internal motivation needed for lasting change. By combining MI with a clear, personalized recovery strategy, I help you build the momentum and resilience necessary for a healthier, substance-free life.
Substance Abuse Recovery Coaching
I offer specialized Substance Abuse Recovery Coaching to clients nationwide and internationally, delivered through secure phone or video sessions. This flexible format lets you connect with me from anywhere in the world, ensuring continuous support on your path to recovery. During our initial assessment, I’ll gain a clear understanding of your situation and design a personalized coaching recovery plan aligned with your unique needs and goals.
Unlike counseling services, coaching does not fall under existing confidentiality laws and therefore lacks the same legal counselor-client privilege. It's simply impossible to maintain counseling credentials in all jurisdictions nationally and internationally. However, coaching offers significant advantages from a jurisdictional and regulatory standpoint, allowing me to help individuals in regions where I’m not licensed or certified as a counselor. What’s more, my coaching clients experience the same positive results as my counseling clients. For those requiring exceptional discretion, I provide a cutting-edge, fully anonymous coaching option to protect your identity, ensuring you receive professional, evidence-based support without compromising your privacy.
Family Support
I have worked with hundreds of families, guiding them through the complex reality of a loved one’s substance abuse problem. While these are not family therapy sessions, they are educational and coaching sessions specifically designed to help you evaluate your options, develop a clear plan, manage ongoing strategies, and better understand how to support your loved one without enabling. I’ll also help you take care of yourself, establish healthy boundaries, and navigate the emotional challenges that arise when substance abuse affects someone close to you. By focusing on practical steps and evidence-based approaches, we can work together to create a supportive environment that encourages lasting change.
Forensic Substance Abuse Evaluations
I offer comprehensive forensic substance abuse evaluations for individuals who require a detailed, legally defensible assessment. These evaluations involve a four-hour client session (plus additional time for me to review and synthesize the information) and incorporate expanded evidence-based tools designed to withstand legal scrutiny. Components include a drug test, additional addiction severity measurement tools, and collateral contacts—the process of interviewing friends, family, or coworkers you designate to corroborate relevant information.
Following this thorough assessment, I prepare a detailed evaluation report that you may submit to courts, law enforcement, licensing boards, or other entities. Please note that the cost of this evaluation does not include expert witness testimony. Should testimony be requested or required, it is available at an additional cost.
Virtual Services
I offer all counseling, coaching, and family support sessions exclusively via secure phone or video calls—I do not provide any in-person services. This approach not only ensures top-tier professional support from the privacy of your home or office, but also removes barriers like transportation, scheduling conflicts, and the potential stigma of attending in-person treatment.
A growing body of research supports the effectiveness of telehealth for substance use disorders. For instance, a 2019 study in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that telehealth-based interventions can produce outcomes comparable to or even better than traditional, in-person methods. Having offered 100% telehealth services well before the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve personally seen how its flexibility, convenience, and confidentiality can enhance the recovery process—often making it as or more effective than in-person care.
For more information, review these sources of data on telehealth and substance abuse services:
Telemedicine-delivered treatment interventions for substance use disorders: A systematic review
The Evolution of Telepsychiatry for Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19: a Narrative Review