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Virtual Addiction Therapy for Adults

Free 15-Minute Consultation

    About the Therapist

    Christina Wade, LCSW

    Christina Wade, LCSW, is a licensed therapist specializing in addiction, substance use, and trauma-informed care for adults across California. With a compassionate, non-judgmental approach, she helps clients explore their relationship with substances through a lens of curiosity, not shame.

    Christina integrates evidence-based methods like MI, ACT, CBT, mindfulness, and somatic therapy to support meaningful, lasting change. She is deeply experienced in working with LGBTQ+ individuals and those navigating major life transitions, identity stress, and emotional overwhelm.

    Through virtual sessions, Christina creates a safe, collaborative space for healing—whether clients seek moderation, sobriety, or simply clarity around their substance use.

    Free 15-Minute Consultation

    Find Clarity, Confidence, and a New Way Forward

    Substance use often begins as a way to get through — to manage stress, ease emotional pain, or quiet the noise of daily life. But what once felt like a solution can gradually feel like something that’s in control rather than something you control.

    According to SAMHSA, more than 48 million adults in the U.S. struggle with some form of substance use. Even when it doesn’t meet the criteria for addiction, it can still significantly impact daily life, emotional well-being, relationships, and the ability to focus.

    Many of them don’t fit a traditional diagnosis of addiction, yet their lives are affected in relationships, at work, and in their sense of self. Christina Wade offers a compassionate space to examine what’s working, what’s not, and what’s possible.

    This is an opportunity to slow down, feel supported, and explore change without pressure. Whether the goal is moderation, sobriety, or simply greater clarity, therapy can help build healthier patterns and a more connected, present way of living. Change doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just has to be real.

    Behind the Habit: Why People Turn to Therapy

    “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
     — Martin Luther King Jr.

     Addiction doesn’t always look like the stories you’ve heard.

    Many people use substances like alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs to manage stress, anxiety, trauma, or emotional pain. At first, it may feel like it helps — a way to cope, connect, or get through the day. But over time, what once felt like relief can start to feel like something you’re managing, hiding, or trying to control.

    You might not call it an addiction. You might not be sure you want to stop. But something inside you is paying attention. And that’s enough to begin.

    You might relate to:

    • Using substances to calm anxiety, numb pain, or escape stress
    • Feeling guilt, shame, or confusion about how much or how often you use
    • Wanting to cut back — but struggling to follow through
    • Worrying that substances are affecting your relationships or goals
    • Feeling disconnected from yourself or your values
    • Experiencing a push-pull between wanting change and fearing it
    • Using more than you intended, more often than you'd like

    Pro Tip: This work isn’t about labels or judgment. It’s about understanding why something feels necessary — and what else is possible.

    Rooted in Care, Designed for You

    A space to feel seen, supported, and never judged

    Addiction therapy with Christina is grounded in trauma-informed, compassionate care. Each person brings a unique story, and therapy is thoughtfully tailored to meet individual needs — emotionally, mentally, and practically. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, only personalized support designed to create meaningful and lasting change.

     In virtual sessions, clients can expect to:

    • Explore the role substances play in daily life, without shame
    • Uncover the deeper roots of patterns — including stress, trauma, and unmet needs
    • Clarify what’s working, what’s not, and what changes feel possible
    • Build resilience and develop healthier, more effective coping tools
    • Pursue goals that fit — whether it’s moderation, sobriety, or somewhere in between
    • Reconnect with values, motivation, and a greater sense of self

    Pro Tip: Progress happens at your pace. Therapy begins with curiosity — not a requirement to quit or a need to have it all figured out.

    Flexible, Confidential, Always Within Reach

    Support that meets you wherever you are

    All sessions with Christina Wade are conducted virtually through a secure, confidential video platform. That means no commuting, no waiting rooms, and no added stress. Therapy is accessible from the comfort of home — whether in the San Francisco, throughout the Bay Area, or anywhere in California.

    Virtual care provides flexibility and convenience while maintaining the same deep connection, trust, and emotional safety as in-person therapy.

    Therapy That Sees and Supports All of You

    Care that honors your full identity

    Christina is proud to provide therapy that is not only trauma-informed but also LGBTQ+ affirming. For many LGBTQ+ adults, substance use can be deeply tied to experiences of stress, identity-related trauma, rejection, or feeling unsafe in the world.

    Substances may have once offered relief from dysphoria, anxiety, loneliness, or fear. Over time, they may have become a way to survive difficult environments or emotions.

    With Christina, there is no judgment. She creates a space where gender, sexuality, and identity are respected — never questioned. Therapy is designed to support healing through a lens that fully understands the intersections of substance use and LGBTQ+ experience.

    There’s More Ahead Than What’s Behind

    Support isn’t just for breaking points — it’s for breakthroughs

    There’s no requirement for labels, diagnoses, or intense revelations to begin therapy. A quiet sense that something isn’t working is more than enough. Christina Wade will provide an opportunity to explore new possibilities with care and intention.

    Therapy helps people:

    • Build healthier coping skills aligned with their values
    • Navigate emotions without relying on substances to numb or escape
    • Understand their patterns with honesty and self-compassion
    • Heal the parts of themselves that feel overwhelmed, lost, or stuck
    • Imagine a version of life that feels more grounded and free

    Change can be slow, small, and deeply meaningful. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to begin.

    This Could Be the Moment Everything Changes

    Begin with a Free, Friendly Call

    If you’re feeling stuck, unsure, or simply ready for something to shift, this is a welcoming place to begin. Christina offers a free 15-minute consultation to answer your questions and see if this support feels right for you.

    • Sessions are held online for adults anywhere in California.
    • Scheduling is flexible, with evening times available.
    • All care is trauma-informed and welcoming to all identities.

    Reach out to Christina today and take a gentle step toward feeling more grounded, clear, and supported.

    Frequently asked questions

    Not at all. Many people seek support because something feels off — even if they don’t meet the criteria for a substance use disorder. If you're curious about your habits, feeling stuck, or simply want to make a change, therapy is a helpful place to start.

    The free 15-minute consultation is a no-pressure conversation to explore your questions, learn about the therapy process, and see if Christina feels like the right fit for your needs. There’s no obligation to commit.

    All therapy sessions with Christina Wade take place online using a secure, private video connection. This allows for flexible scheduling, greater privacy, and the comfort of receiving support from home — anywhere in California.

    Therapy meets you wherever you are. Whether you're exploring sobriety, thinking about cutting back, or simply curious, there’s no pressure to be “ready to quit.” The focus is on understanding your relationship with substances in a safe, supportive way.

    Absolutely. Christina offers affirming care for all identities. Therapy is designed with an understanding of how gender, sexuality, and identity can intersect with substance use. Your full self is always welcome here.

    Your goals are your own. Some clients work toward moderation, some explore sobriety, and others focus on understanding their patterns or managing underlying stress and trauma. Therapy supports whatever feels most meaningful to you.

    It’s usually possible to schedule a free consultation within a few days. After that, ongoing sessions can be arranged with flexible times, including evenings. Reach out to get started — no rush, no pressure.

    Individual therapy sessions are $180, and couples sessions are $200. A sliding scale is available for those who may need financial flexibility. If you're unsure whether you qualify, you're welcome to apply.

    Yes. Christina is in-network with Aetna, Carelon Behavioral Health, and Quest Behavioral Health. If you're using another insurance provider, documentation and super-bills can be provided to help with out-of-network reimbursement.

    Payments can be made using American Express, Discover, Mastercard, or Visa. All payments are processed securely at the time of your virtual session.

    References:

    https://www.upmc.com/services/primary-care/conditions/substance-abuse#:~:text=Over%2048%20million%20people%20in%20the%20U.S.,disorder%20(SUD)%20in%202022%2C%20according%20to%20SAMHSA.

    About the Therapist

    Christina Wade, LCSW

    Christina Wade, LCSW, is a licensed therapist specializing in addiction, substance use, and trauma-informed care for adults across California. With a compassionate, non-judgmental approach, she helps clients explore their relationship with substances through a lens of curiosity, not shame.

    Christina integrates evidence-based methods like MI, ACT, CBT, mindfulness, and somatic therapy to support meaningful, lasting change. She is deeply experienced in working with LGBTQ+ individuals and those navigating major life transitions, identity stress, and emotional overwhelm.

    Through virtual sessions, Christina creates a safe, collaborative space for healing—whether clients seek moderation, sobriety, or simply clarity around their substance use.

    Free 15-Minute Consultation

      We’re Here When You’re Ready.

      Phone Number

      (510) 686-3839

      Email Address

      cwade.consultation@gmail.com

      Location

      112 W 25th Ave, Suite 2 San Mateo, CA 94403

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      You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of what your services may cost.

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