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


Top addiction and substance use disorder therapists and psychiatrists in San Jose, CA
San Jose residents struggling with addiction can connect with compassionate Headway providers trained in 12-step facilitation, SMART Recovery, and dual diagnosis treatment. Sessions address withdrawal, detoxification support, and building sustainable sobriety with flexible virtual or in-person care.
I'm an open minded individual and welcome any topics in treatment
My therapy style is compassionate and supportive. Clients find me engaging, warm and friendly. I've been a licensed psychotherapist since 1987 and I have experience with a variety of clients from differing age groups, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. During my career I've helped clients with relationship challenges, the expression and management of emotion, and improving their quality of life.
Thank you for navigating to my page
My Training
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and a graduate of the PGSP–Stanford Psy.D. Consortium, a program known for its rigorous academic training and emphasis on evidence-based care. There, I received instruction and mentorship from some of the leading clinicians and researchers in the country. My practice draws on specialized training and extensive experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, and comprehensive psychological assessment.
My Approach to Therapy
My clinical approach is focused, compassionate, and results-oriented. I work actively with clients to identify what’s holding them back, and to build the tools and insight needed to move forward with clarity and confidence. For individuals, I use CBT to help shift unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. For couples, I use EFT to deepen emotional connection, improve communication, and restore trust. Whether I’m working with a client facing anxiety, burnout, or relationship conflict, my aim is always the same: to help you reconnect with your strength, values, and capacity for meaningful change.
My Professional Background
Before becoming a psychologist, I served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Leading diverse teams in high-stress environments taught me how to connect across differences—with people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and personalities. That experience continues to shape my work today. I bring a grounded, nonjudgmental presence to therapy, and I take seriously the responsibility of earning each client’s trust. My passion—both then and now—is helping individuals become the strongest, most authentic version of themselves.
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 specialize in working with children, teens, and adults struggling with chronic stress, low self worth, loneliness, trauma/complex PTSD, and burnout. I am a compassionate witness and also a fierce protector. I understand looking for belonging and joy in a society that seeks to marginalize and devalue difference. I am queer, neurodivergent, and multiethnic: Mexican-American, Indigenous (Rarámuri aka Tarahumara), with Jewish roots.
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.
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.
Pamela Hughes received her Undergraduate Degree in Psychology and her Masters Degree
in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, California.
Pamela has worked with individuals, couples and families improving their relationships
using the Collaborative Communication Skills as an Instructor. Pamela specializes in Addictions, ADHD, Family Systems and Hoarding.
Life is filled with ups and downs, which can seem overwhelming at times for many of us. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, going through a stressful transition in life, or getting stuck in negative thoughts or beliefs, I am here to help you get unstuck.
I communicate in a direct but supportive manner, fostering an environment where you feel heard. Through active listening and structured feedback, we'll work as a team to identify challenges and set clear, achievable goals. Expect me to be understanding yet focused on guiding you to develop resilience and coping skills to overcome difficulties.
My goal is to work collectively as a team with you to identify current difficulties and assist your efforts to overcome these difficulties in a healthy environment where you feel heard and supported. Measurable treatment goals will be established and take priority for each client I serve.
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 San Jose
Finding addiction therapists in San Jose starts with looking for care that matches the concern you want support with. Addiction care can include support for substance use, alcohol use, compulsive behaviors, relapse prevention, and co-occurring concerns like anxiety, depression, or trauma. Some therapists list approaches such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use, harm reduction, or care coordination with a prescriber. Reading a therapist’s specialties and training can help you find someone whose experience fits your needs.
Local addiction therapy options in San Jose may be more limited than in larger California markets, so virtual care can expand the number of therapists available to you. In-person care may work best if you prefer a local office, while virtual appointments can make it easier to fit sessions around work, school, caregiving, or transportation needs. As you compare therapists, look at appointment availability, whether they offer a free phone consultation, and how they describe their approach. A therapist’s bio can give you a clear sense of their communication style and whether they take a nonjudgmental, harm reduction-informed approach.
Addiction therapy in San Jose can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before you book. Headway helps you search for therapists who are accepting new patients, accepts a wide range of insurance plans nationally, and shows estimated out-of-pocket costs after your benefits are verified. You can browse therapists, review bios, 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.







































