Book addiction counseling, covered by insurance
Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Oakland, CA


Top addiction and substance use disorder therapists and psychiatrists in Oakland, CA
Addressing addiction in Oakland means finding the right therapeutic fit—Headway offers 2,764 providers with expertise in 12-step facilitation, SMART Recovery, and DBT skills. Flexible scheduling with availability within two weeks, combined with insurance coverage through 70+ plans, makes recovery-focused care accessible and affordable for your unique needs.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (NY & CA) with an MSW from NYU and a BA in Communications from Northwestern. With 14 years as a professional actor and teaching artist, I incorporate creativity into my eclectic therapeutic approach, which includes CBT, mindfulness, expressive arts, and psychodynamics. I specialize in supporting clients with anxiety, depression, identity exploration, relational challenges, and personal growth.
Anxiety and perfectionism have turned your mind into a battleground. Your inner critic nitpicks every interaction, leaving you exhausted by thoughts of “Damnit, why can’t I just be better!” Painful memories get louder, no matter how hard you try to ignore them. Daily invalidations of your Latina, queer, or immigrant identity sting, and you feel isolated as you keep your suffering to yourself. You’ve tried everything: doom scrolling, drinking, and self-help books, but nothing has worked. You're left feeling hopeless and weighed down.
Dr. Cristina LaFarre
Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Virtual & in-person • 7.2 mi away • San Francisco, CA
I have found a calling that allows me to bring my full self – head, heart, and soul – to my work.
I found this calling after a fulfilling career in social services. In addition to working as a teacher, program manager, policy advocate, and peer counselor, I have also married, raised a family, coached youth sports, and pursued mindful self-care, creativity, and personal growth.
I earned my Bachelor’s in English from Harvard and my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute.
Struggling with depression & identity through childhood, diagnosed with ADHD as an adult— I know about "not reaching [your] potential," and feeling like everything is a struggle.
Beginning in middle school as a volunteer, I gained over 20 years of experience with a range of developmental and other issues before beginning grad school.
Since earning my license, my work has focused primarily on adults and teens with ADHD & ASD, chronic depression, LGBTQIA+ & identity issues.
My passion is to help others find more joy and meaning in their lives. I work creatively and collaboratively with adults, teens, and children to explore the heart of the matter. I have experience working in the schools, with a team at a counseling clinic, and in private practice. I specialize with teenagers and their families and moving into couples work as well.
I’m passionate about helping those who need help mentally and emotionally
I'm an open minded individual and welcome any topics in treatment
Hi, and welcome! I am Joy Nnebe, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am thrilled you’re considering working with me.
I have 8 years of experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing, and I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, trauma, and more, using approaches like CBT therapy and trauma-informed care. I aim to provide simple, non-judgmental, supportive, and personalized care to help you feel understood and empowered on your mental health journey.
I’m a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in helping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families navigate anxiety, depression, panic, trauma, PTSD, and other life stressors. With experience in psychiatric crisis care and community outreach, I believe healing starts with feeling safe enough to show up. My goal is to offer real, judgment-free support that meets you where you are and helps you move toward lasting growth.
About our therapists who can help with addiction and substance use located within 20 miles of Oakland, CA



- 100%Substance use / addiction
- 100%Stress management
- 100%Anxiety
- 100%Depression
- 93%Relationship issues

- 97%Aetna
- 52%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 52%Providence Health Plan
- 48%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 41%Curative

- 100%English
- 7%French
- 7%Russian
- 7%Spanish
- 3%Hebrew

- 93%In-person or online
- 7%In-person only

- 69%Woman
- 28%Man
- 3%Non-binary

- 59%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 17%Clinical Psychologist
- 14%Nurse Practitioner
- 7%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 3%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 34%Couples therapy
- 28%Child or adolescent therapy
- 28%Family therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right addiction counselor for you
Headway makes it easier to find support for overcoming addiction — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Addiction Therapist in Oakland
Finding addiction therapists in Oakland starts with knowing what kind of support fits your needs. Addiction care can include support for alcohol use, drug use, sex addiction, codependency, and other behavioral concerns. As you compare therapists, look for training that matches your goals, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use, harm reduction-informed care, or coordination with medication-assisted care. Some people may also work with a prescriber as part of their care team.
Oakland has a range of mental health care options, from local offices near downtown, Temescal, Rockridge, and Lake Merritt to virtual appointments across California. The right fit may depend on your schedule, whether you prefer in-person or virtual sessions, and how soon a therapist is accepting new patients. Recovery can change over time, so it can help to look for a therapist who describes a non-judgmental approach and experience with substance use, relapse prevention, harm reduction, or co-occurring concerns. Reading bios before booking can show how each therapist talks about care, structure, and fit.
Addiction therapy in Oakland can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand your out-of-pocket responsibility before care begins. Headway makes it easier to compare addiction therapists who accept insurance, review detailed profiles, see estimated costs after entering your plan, and book directly when you’re ready.
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms — especially from alcohol or benzodiazepines — talk to a medical provider or seek emergency care before starting outpatient therapy. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance use and is in a crisis, immediately reach out to:
* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 * SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357), free, confidential, 24/7 * Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
Use left and right arrow keys to switch tabs. Press Shift+Tab to return to the tab list from links in the selected tab.






































