Valerie Tecci

I'm a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC I) based in Massachusetts, and substance use disorder is what I specialize in - it's not just part of what I do, it's all of what I do. I work with people dealing with alcohol, opioids, and other substances, as well as the anxiety, depression, or trauma that often shows up alongside them. I see clients across Massachusetts via telehealth, so there's no commute and no waiting room. I work with several major insurance plans through Headway, and I'm currently accepting new clients. If you've been thinking about reaching out, I'd encourage you to take that step - the first conversation doesn't commit you to anything.

I use motivational interviewing as a foundation, which means I'm genuinely curious about where you are rather than pushing you toward a predetermined goal. I take a harm reduction perspective - meeting people where they are matters more to me than insisting on a single definition of recovery. I also work with dual diagnosis, meaning if substance use and mental health issues are tangled up together for you (which they often are), that's something I'm equipped to address. My approach is strengths-based: I think most people who struggle with addiction are resourceful and resilient, and they need a structure and a relationship that supports change - not a lecture about what they're doing wrong.

The first session is mostly a conversation. I'll ask about what brought you in and what you're hoping things look like differently. There's no intake form to rush through and no pressure to have your story perfectly organized - we'll figure out what's most useful to focus on together. I won't assume I know what recovery should look like for you, and I won't push a timeline. What I will do is listen carefully and start getting a real picture of your situation so we can think about what working together might actually look like.