Colorado’s legal recreational marijuana market doesn’t protect against other drug crimes. People don’t stop abusing other substances just because there’s a legal one available. Substance abuse treatment in Colorado is still needed, especially since the state has the highest rate of adults with unmet substance abuse treatment needs in the nation.In March 2022, the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s office sentenced an Aurora drug dealer to 23 years in federal prison for conspiracy to transport and distribute illegal substances. Authorities intercepted more than 300 pounds of methamphetamine and lesser quantities (between three and five pounds each) of cocaine, heroin, and pills laced with fentanyl.Fentanyl, however, is about 50 times more potent than heroin. That makes three pounds of fentanyl potentially as deadly as 150 pounds of heroin.Since most drug buyers, including in Aurora, Colorado, don’t know they are getting fentanyl (it is often substituted for hard-to-get prescription opioids such as OxyContin), they are unaware of the risk and could accidentally overdose or die.Finding treatment with an effective addiction counselor before that happens can save your life or the life of a loved one.

Top Addiction Therapists/Counselors in Aurora, Colorado

Here are some of Aurora’s finest addiction counselors:

1. Emily Lingle, LPCC, Central Park Counseling

Emily Lingle is a licensed professional counselor candidate who completed her master degree in clinical mental health counseling from Regis University in 2021. She is affiliated with Voyages Counseling’s Central Park Counseling.She specializes in treating substance abuse (including detox), depression, and anxiety with therapies including emotion-focused therapy (EFT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and experiential therapies (art, music). Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: 2011 Dallas St., Aurora, CO 80010

Phone: (719).679.3070

Email: [email protected]

Website: myvc.org

2. James Anthony Rucker Sr., MA, LAC, MFTC, Liv’n With A Purpose

James Anthony Rucker Sr. is a licensed addiction counselor with a master’s in marriage and family therapy and a candidate to be a marriage/family therapist. He is also trained in computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and computerized dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).He specializes in treating adults with substance use disorders (addictions) and general mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, stress, anger). All sessions are virtual (telehealth) because of the pandemic.

Address: Aurora, CO 80013

Phone: (720).504.5585

Email: [email protected]

Website: livnwithapurpose.org

3. Jillian Elliott, clinical social work candidate, MSW, SWC, EMDR, ASAM

Jillian Elliott is a clinical social worker candidate experienced in the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). She completed her master of social work degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2019. She is in private practice.Her areas of specialization include alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, behavioral issues, and dual diagnosis (co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders). Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: Aurora, CO 80013

Phone: (719).212.1149

Website: psychologytoday.com

4. Heather L. Daniel, MA, LPC, CAS II, CHT, Heather Daniel Counseling Services

Heather L. Daniel is a licensed professional counselor in private practice. She completed her master’s in counseling from Regis University in 2014. She became a certified addiction specialist II in 2019, and a certified hypnotherapist in 2020.Her areas of specialization include alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, dysfunctional behavior rooted in shame, and coping skills.

Address: 2101 South Blackhawk St., Suite 240, Aurora, CO 80014

Phone: (303).990.0668

Email: [email protected]

Website: heatherdanielcounselingllc.com

5. Daniel Leal-Diaz, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW

Daniel Leal-Diaz is a bilingual (English and Spanish) therapist and a licensed clinical social worker who practices in Aurora, Colorado. He completed his master of social work degree from Fordham University in 2008. He is also certified or licensed in addiction counseling, anger management, and CAMS (collaborative assessment and management of suicidality) care.His areas of specialization include depression, anxiety, trauma, and stressors related to immigration. Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: Aurora, CO 80017-3261

Phone: (917).922.6786

Website: psychologytoday.com

6. Caroline Hance, LPC, Foresight Mental Health

Caroline Hance is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Foresight Mental Health. She completed her master’s in clinical mental health counseling at the University of Alabama in 2019. She is also certified by the SASSI (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory) Institute.Her areas of specialization include substance abuse/addiction, trauma, anxiety, and other behavioral health issues, including those related to re-entry following incarceration. Telehealth services are available.

Address: 18121 East Hampton Ave., Unit C – 573, Aurora, CO 80013

Phone: (720).637.2061

Email: [email protected]

Website: foresightmentalhealth.com

7. Sara A. Koval, MA, LPC

Sara A. Koval is a licensed professional counselor. She completed a master degree from Argosy University Denver in 2014 and has been in the behavioral health field since 2011.She specializes in addiction, mental health disorders (trauma, stress, anxiety, depression), and when the two co-occur (dual diagnosis). She conducts telehealth visits with doxy.me encryption.

Address: 2101 South Blackhawk St., Unit 240, Aurora, CO 80014

Phone: (844).271.2255

Website: psychologytoday.com

8. Jamie Glick, MSW, LCSW, LAC

Jamie Glick is a therapist, licensed clinical social worker, and licensed addiction counselor. He has a master of social work degree from Arizona State University and has been providing therapeutic services for more than 15 years.He specializes in the treatment of addiction, anxiety, and depression, including through physical exercise and annual preventive mental health checkups. He provides telehealth counseling from a virtual office.

Address: Aurora, CO 80016

Phone: (303).809.8757

Websitel: provider.kareo.com

9. Dominique Condevaux, MAC, LAC, LPC, BC-TMH, ACS, PAX Counseling & Consulting

Dominique Condevaux is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed and master addiction counselor, a certified grief counselor, and owner of PAX Counseling & Consulting. She completed her master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Argosy University in 2010. She is also an approved clinical supervisor.She specializes in the treatment of addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. In addition to psychotherapy, she uses neurofeedback as an adjunct therapy. A board-certified telemental health provider, she sees clients via telehealth as well as during office or home visits.

Address: 12101 East 2nd Ave., Suite 201B, Aurora, CO 80011

Phone: (720).961.2652

Website: paxcounsel.com

10. Marissa Gavel, LPC, NCC, Inskeep Therapeutic Services

Marissa Gavel is a therapist, a licensed professional counselor, a national certified counselor, and owner of Inskeep Therapeutic Services. She completed her master’s in clinical mental health at Walden University in 2017. She also has a master’s in addiction counseling from Grand Canyon University.She specializes in testament and management of addiction, trauma, and other mental health disorders (anxiety, depression). Telehealth services are available.

Address: 16890 East Alameda Parkway, Suite 473913, Aurora, CO 80017

Phone: (720).640.9047

Website: psychologytoday.com

Substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders frequently co-occur. When that happens, it’s called a dual diagnosis. Both disorders need to be treated because they may be related; without cotreatment, both conditions may continue.In 2019, roughly half of the people with a SUD also had a mental illness (9.5 million out of 19.3 million). There’s some evidence that the rates of SUD and mental illness have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.But the pandemic has also advanced the adoption of telehealth services to provide counseling without the risk of spreading COVID-19. Most of the addiction counselors listed here offer virtual visits; some only offer virtual visits.It doesn’t matter how you get needed substance abuse treatment so long as you get it.

Sources

  • wallethub.com – Drug Use by State: 2021’s Problem Areas
  • justice.gov – Aurora Drug Dealer Sentenced to 23 Years in Federal Prison
  • medlineplus.gov – Dual Diagnosis
  • samhsa.gov – Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
  • journals.lww.com – Substance use, mental disorders and COVID-19: a volatile mix

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Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

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