Addiction Counselors in Pueblo, Colorado

Colorado continues to have lower rates of substance abuse than most U.S. states, but the number of overdose deaths has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. And since the state still leads the nation in the highest rate of people with unmet substance abuse treatment needs, Colorado can and should do better. Even in Pueblo County, the number of overdose deaths due to substance abuse remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. True, in 2021, those numbers were lower (61) than in 2020 (65), but they’re still higher than in 2019 (55). The drugs most often detected in overdose death cases over the three years were:
  1. 84 – methamphetamine (meth)
  2. 59 – heroin
  3. 44 – opioid analgesics (opioid painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone)
  4. 38 – fentanyl
  5. 27 – cocaine
  6. 14 – alcohol
  7. 13 – methadone.
Many overdose deaths included more than one drug. Whether the deaths were due to one or all is difficult to determine. Fentanyl, which is often added to or substituted for other drugs, can be quickly fatal on its own. Just as one or more drugs can be involved in a fatality, more than one treatment is frequently necessary to achieve long-lasting recovery from substance use disorders, dependencies, or addictions. Substance abuse counselors in Pueblo, Colorado, often use one or more complementary alternative or holistic treatments in addition to behavioral therapies.

Top Addiction Counselors in Pueblo, Colorado

Here are some of Pueblo, Colorado’s top addiction counselors:

1. Teresa M. Williams, PsyD

Teresa M. Williams is a licensed psychologist who completed her doctorate in psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2003. She specializes in treating trauma and other mental health issues (mood disorders, substance abuse, relationship issues) from a Christian perspective. Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: 503 North Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003

Phone: (719).212.4060

Website: psychologytoday.com

2. Jim Tanner, MA, LPC, SRT, IAT, The Next Right Choice Counseling

Jim Tanner is a licensed professional counselor and chief executive officer of The Next Right Choice Counseling. He completed his master’s in clinical mental health at Adams State University in 2019. A former pastor and first responder (firefighter, emergency medical technician, and hazmat technician), he specializes in Christian counseling for sex addiction and co-occurring disorders including substance abuse, anxiety, and stress.

Address: 503 North Main St., Suite 539, Pueblo, CO 81003

Phone: (719).259.1153

Website: thenextrightchoicecounseling.com

3. Tracy Salazar, MS, LPC, MFCT, Soul Intentions

Tracy Salazar is a licensed professional counselor and owner of Soul Intentions. She completed her master’s in marriage, family, and child therapy at the University of Phoenix in 2013. She is also certified in complementary alternative therapies including qigong. She specializes in treating dual diagnosis (the co-occurrence of substance abuse and mental health issues) and related trauma, anxiety, depressive, and stress disorders when routine mental health treatment alone isn’t working. Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: 420 West 14th St., Pueblo, CO 81003

Phone: (719).356.4241

Website: soulintentionstherapy.com

4. Gloriean Ortiz, MA, NCC, LPC

Gloriean Ortiz is a licensed professional counselor, a national certified counselor, and a therapist at the Pueblo Community Health Center. She completed her master’s in community clinical counseling at Adams State University in 2011. She specializes in addiction, anxiety, and trauma, which she treats with psychotherapy and complementary alternative treatments including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

Address: Pueblo, CO

Phone: (719).543.8711

Email: [email protected]

Website: pueblochc.org

5. Lou Lile, MA, LPC, A Confidential Space

Lou Lile is a licensed professional counselor and owner of A Confidential Space. He completed his master’s in psychology at Southern Colorado State College (now Colorado State College Pueblo) in 1984. He is also certified by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA). He specializes in treating emotional disturbances and relationship issues, as well as addiction, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder with an integrative form of psychotherapy that combines elements of other therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: 803 West 4th St., Suite K, Pueblo, CO 81003

Phone: (719).250.5984

Website: loulile.com

6. Elizabeth A. Behm, MA, LPC

Elizabeth A. Behm is a licensed professional counselor in private practice. She completed her master’s in counseling/school counseling from Adams State University in 2010. Although she counsels all ages, she prefers to work with teens and younger. Her areas of specialization include anxiety and trauma and issues such as stress, behavioral issues, and substance abuse. Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: Pueblo, CO 81004

Phone: (719).283.3153

Website: psychologytoday.com

7. Jessica Dunks, Ph.D., MA, LPC, LAC

Jessica Dunks is a licensed professional counselor and a licensed addiction counselor. She completed her master’s at Adams State College (now University) in 1999 and her doctorate in Jungian studies at Saybrook University in 2013. She is trained in behavioral therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. Her areas of specialization include substance abuse, mood disorders, and trauma. She is certified in complementary alternative therapies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and yoga. Therapy is available in the office, at home or a neutral setting, or via telehealth.

Address: 1624 Bonforte Blvd., Suite D, Pueblo, CO 81001

Phone: (719).368.8905

Email: [email protected]

Website: personalizedtherapysolutions.com

8. Regan Young, LCSW, CAS, CAC-III, A New Leaf Therapy

Regan Young is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, a certified addiction counselor and specialist, and the founder and chief executive officer of A New Leaf Therapy. She employs a whole-person approach, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and complementary alternative therapies, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), animal-assisted therapy, auricular (ear) acupuncture, and nutrition counseling. She specializes in trauma, anxiety disorders, and depression, but also substance abuse (drugs and alcohol) and dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues). Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: Pueblo, CO 81004

Phone: (719).948.7120

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Website: anewleaftherapy.org

9. Paul Gutierrez, MA, LPC, LMFT, NCC, Pathways Psychological Services

Paul Gutierrez is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a national certified counselor, and a therapist and the owner of Pathways Psychological Services in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. He completed his master’s in counseling in 2014, plus a post-master’s certificate in marriage and family counseling in 2015, both at Regis University. He focuses on strength-based therapy for issues such as substance abuse, trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders. Treatments include complementary alternative techniques such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Telehealth counseling is available.

Address: Parkview Family Counseling Center, 417 W. 13th St., Pueblo, CO 81003

Phone: (719).309.3301

Website: pathwayspsychologicalservices.com

Pueblo, Colorado, has a fraction (less than one-sixth) of the population of Denver, Colorado’s largest city, but it is not immune to drug abuse and crime. While increased access to naloxone (Narcan) may have reduced the incidence of opioid overdose, no such overdose-reversal drug exists for methamphetamine (meth), the drug most commonly involved in Colorado overdose deaths. The only way to stop these deaths is through prevention or treatment.

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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.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.

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