Hello, I’m Max Yusim, and during my 35 years as a therapist, I have been honored to counsel many different people with many different addictions. I taught drug and alcohol classes at San Quentin Prison. I led intensive weekends with couples whose marriages were on the brink because of alcohol, addiction, and co-dependency. And today my focus is in helping individuals, families, and couples whose lives are being destroyed by excessive gambling.
Surprisingly, the opposite of addiction is not sobriety but connection. Addicts (and alcoholics) are often self-medicating anxiety, depression, grief and disappointment. Many compulsive people are also cross-addicted. This means they will eventually add a second or even a third compulsion to their favorite “drugs of choice.”
This all being said, I believe the biggest question on your mind today is: can I really help you? In order to figure out the answer to that question, I recommend you start by clicking on my personal statement. (Click here for personal statement). I am told that it is a very honest and transparent window into my life and my personal journey with addiction and then recovery. It will also give you insight into how I work as an addiction couples therapist.
"I liked mostly how blunt/honest Max was. He was very open about talking about sex.
I was hesitant about the cost/benefit balance. I was worried we wouldn’t get our money’s worth.
I was very wrong!
It was amazing to see how one weekend was more beneficial than 10 weeks of previous couples therapy."
I am a psychiatrist practicing in Marin County, California for many years.
I have known and worked with Max Yusim for over a decade and a half and I have referred many patients (and couples) to him with predictable excellent outcomes.
Max excels in two special areas: couples therapy and substance abuse problems. I have often sought out Max’s advice in the treatment of my patients with alcohol and drug addiction problems and have learned a great deal from his concepts and understanding.”
“On a scale of 1-10, we were a 3. We had tried weekly sessions, a long time ago, with little luck.
The core issue for me was to find a better way to resolve contentious issue between us.
Max was very diligent about using our time to the utmost and made excellent decisions about how to get past our personal resistance. He showed great insight into the linchpin issues.
We were lucky to have an excellent therapist nearby. We’re grateful.”