EMPOWERING THERAPY IN HOUSTON
Psychologist Dr. Kelli Wright and her practice Heights Harm Reduction provides powerful therapy to those in the Houston Heights area who are struggling with anxiety or substance use issues (commonly viewed as addiction). While you will learn that we use only the most innovative methods, it all starts with a single factor – you. We unequivocally respect individuals and the choices they make. In fact, the first thing we aim to do in sessions is to get to know you and identify what it is that gives you meaning and fulfillment in your life. Together, we’ll use that information along with clinical expertise to form strategies that create the future you want.
HHR is built on cutting edge, custom-tailored treatment. We provide an alternative solution to traditional abstinence-based programs. Integrative Harm Reduction Therapy is one of our main tools when dealing with individuals/families who are hindered with either substance use issues, non-substance related addictive behavior, or a wide variety of mental health challenges. Click here to learn more about Integrative Harm Reduction.
DISCLAIMER: While you may see terms such as ‘addiction’ or ‘anxiety’ on our website, Dr. Kelli Wright abstains from using them at her practice. Heights Harm Reduction doesn’t subscribe to the philosophy of “once an addict is always an addict”. Rather, we operate on the premise that what is normally seen as ‘addiction’ is usually a coping mechanism or habit formed around an underlying problem. Such verbiage is used on our website mainly to help people find us.
READY TO MAKE A CHANGE?
DR. KELLI L. WRIGHT
Doctor of Psychology
I’m Dr. Kelli Wright and I have worked as a clinical psychologist since 2003 in my own private practice. My doctoral training in both the research and practice of psychology was completed at the University of Houston, Loma Linda Veterans Administration Medical Center in California, and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. I see people facing a variety of challenges, but substance use issues, anxiety, and depression are my areas of specialization. My approach to therapy stems from acceptance and mindfulness strategies which generally means I help people to identify who and what is most important to them and then to move in a positive way in those directions, despite the unpleasant internal distress that often seems to keep us stuck. I also have specialized training in the harm reduction approach for people struggling with the use of substances, including Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy, Moderation Management, and The Sinclair Method for excessive drinking.
On a personal note, I live in Houston with my husband and two spoiled rotten dogs, Abbey and Stanley. As a native Californian, I enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and walking on the beach. On most weekends, I can be seen at spin class, listening to live music, or trying out the latest Houston eatery.
ADDICTION TREATMENT
Heights Harm Reduction uses innovative methods backed by science. For certain individuals, classic abstinence-based programs haven’t produced the end result they are looking for. Many others find themselves in a situation where quitting their habit all at once seems impossible. We level with you to meet you where you are at today. You won’t be asked to stop using before coming in for a session. At HHR, we understand that each case is highly complex and factors vary too often for there to be any effective ‘blanket solution’ for everyone. With this in mind, we take an individualistic, compassionate approach that empowers our clients to achieve the positive change they want in their life.
That change might materialize as total abstinence, or reducing substance use to a safe level. Owner and lead psychologist Dr. Kelli Wright is highly experienced in implementing therapies such as Moderation Management and
The Sinclair Method, which are both Integrative Harm Reduction style therapies.
Statistics clearly show that Integrative Harm Reduction Therapy has remarkably high short-term and long-term success rates. When you come in for treatment, we’ll get to know you, learn about your habits, and determine what techniques could work for you. You’ll visit us for sessions to keep the sailing smooth and correct your course if needed. When you implement the daily strategies we create, your life will be transformed before you know it!
Our goal is to give you control back over your life. Everyone’s prerogative is different, which means progress and control are relative. We work to understand what your life goals and core values are. When we break down that barrier, we are able to create your map to self-liberation. Everyone’s case is different so we investigate and come up with a plan. We’ll work to figure out the underlying cause(s) are for your addiction and see if we can’t reduce your usage of drugs and/or alcohol by a reasonable amount. We’ve formed our approach around the fact that the ideal amount of substance use varies from person to person. We don’t adhere to the belief that the only road to recovery is total abstinence.
This interview with Dr. Tatarsky (a pioneer in harm reduction psychotherapy) explores this idea, which further sheds light on Dr. Wright’s approach.
The loudest critique of Harm Reduction Therapy, as a whole, is that it “doesn’t address the underlying problem”. At Heights Harm Reduction, we understand that treating any core issue(s) is imperative – which is why it remains a major factor in our programs. For many people (commonly ones with a past holding excessive trauma) the root cause can be far more harmful than their substance habit. In these cases, it makes much more sense to address the underlying causes before addressing the substance habits. For certain people, substance use might be the last thing holding their world together. When working with such cases, it would not be advisable to demand they stop right away, as the results might be unfavorable.
Considering the above, Height Harm Reductions go-to method is Integrative Harm Reduction (as opposed to ‘Harm Reduction’). The ‘Integrative’ portion represents addressing any and all underlying issues. The remaining ‘Harm Reduction’ represents handling the habits that likely formed due to the underlying issues. In short, our approach takes the entire problem into consideration – rather than neglecting one half or the other.
We want to put control back into your hands, enabling you to make choices that will result in your ideal life. We believe this manner of care represents the future of mental health treatment.
Go to our addiction treatment page for additional reading.
ANXIETY THERAPY
Constant anxiety can be a force of utter destruction in our lives. A stubborn feeling of uneasiness makes it near impossible to focus and accomplish your goals. Your brain might seem to have a mind of its own, with your thoughts winding you up too much to rest. It can even sabotage your relationships.
At Heights Harm Reduction, Dr. Kelli Wright specializes in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This is a proven, personalized approach that highlights your uniqueness as an individual and leverages it to help you.
Some of the main ideas behind it are to:
- Accept how you react to situations along with any root causes of your anxiety.
- Learn techniques to defuse situations that trigger your anxiety. This includes quelling negative thoughts, seeing situations objectively, and strengthening your sense of self.
- Find out what is most important to you. What do you stand or live for?
- Choose to use those core attributes of your personality as a foundation to move forward. You don’t have to feel boxed in your circumstances anymore.
Evidence supporting ACT could be summed up in the following quote from this study . “In general, it can be said that acceptance and commitment therapy in post-test reduces anxiety. Given the size of this effect, the rate is significant. The follow – up results showed that treatment was stable[…]”.
When you come in for a session, we will help you develop habits and strategies to manage your anxiety and worrisome thought processes. Be surrounded by a nurturing environment as we work along side you to reduce your symptoms and resolve underlying issues.
Anxiety at its peak can feel physically suffocating. It’s even worse when accompanied with depression. If you are living with the symptoms and are skeptical of treatment, don’t be. Anxiety should be addressed to deal and an investment in therapy is an investment into yourself – especially considering how strong of an option you have in the Houston Heights!
Click here to learn more.