John Troche
You've already tried to stop on your own, and it hasn't worked. I work with adults and professionals whose lives feel held hostage by substances or compulsive behavior, especially the double life it creates at work, at home, and in your own head.
I work with adults and professionals whose lives feel held hostage by substances or compulsive behavior, especially the double life it creates at work, at home, and in your own head.
We address the immediate need, sobriety and real coping skills, then go after what's underneath it: the trauma or anxiety that's been fueling the addiction in the first place. I use CBT and Motivational Interviewing, applied to your actual life, not a workbook. You don't have to do this alone. Reach out.
First session
Your first session is about getting to know you. We’ll talk about what brought you in, what’s been going on, and what you want to be different. You don’t have to have it all figured out, and you don’t have to share anything you’re not ready to. I’ll ask questions, but I’ll also answer yours. By the end of the session, we’ll have a starting plan and a clear idea of what working together will look like. Most people leave feeling a little lighter just for having said it out loud.
Strengths
I use CBT, 12-Step principles, and Motivational Interviewing to create a tailored recovery path. Your experience will be collaborative and non-judgmental. We'll use MI to find your "why," CBT to master practical coping skills, and 12-Step wisdom to build lasting accountability. You'll gain a balance of deep clinical insight and the daily tools needed for sustainable change.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who’s tired of the cycle. Maybe drinking or drug use is costing you more than it gives back, or anxiety and old trauma keep pulling you back to the same place. You don’t have to be sure you’re ready to quit. You just have to be willing to look honestly at what’s happening. I also work with family members who are worn out from worrying about someone they love and don’t know what to do next. Whether you’re the one struggling or the one watching, you want real change, not just a place to vent. If you’re ready to be honest and do the work, we’ll be a good fit.
Origin story
I became a therapist because I’ve seen what happens when people get the right help at the right time. Addiction, anxiety, and depression can make life feel small and stuck, but they don’t have to have the final word. I’ve watched people rebuild their lives, repair relationships, and find a sense of purpose again. I want to help clients get there. I’m direct, I’m honest, and I meet people where they are.
Ongoing work together
After the first few sessions, we’ll settle into a rhythm that fits what you need. Some sessions will be about working through what’s happening right now. Others will be about building skills you can use on your own. I’m direct, so if something isn’t working, I’ll say so, and I want you to do the same. To track progress, you’ll fill out short check-ins along the way, which help us see how your mood, anxiety, or substance use is changing over time. But the real measure is your life. You’ll notice it when things that used to knock you down don’t anymore.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT because it’s practical and it works. A lot of what keeps people stuck comes down to the stories we tell ourselves, like “I can’t handle this,” “One drink won’t hurt,” or “Nothing ever changes.” In our sessions, we’ll slow those thoughts down and look at whether they’re actually true. For substance use, that means figuring out your triggers, catching the thinking that comes right before a craving, and building a plan for what to do instead. For anxiety and depression, it means noticing the patterns that pull you down and practicing new ways to respond. You’ll leave sessions with skills you can use that same day, not just insight.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing because most people don’t walk in fully ready to change, and that’s okay. Part of you might want things to be different while another part isn’t so sure. I’m not going to push you or tell you what you have to do. Instead, we’ll talk honestly about what you want, what’s getting in the way, and what change would actually mean for your life. For people dealing with substance use, this matters. Being lectured rarely works. Hearing your own reasons for change, in your own words, usually does. My job is to help you find those reasons and build on them.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- New JerseyLicense 44SC06347500