Loneliness

If your relationships aren’t meeting your needs for connection, understanding, or belonging, you may be lonely. At Community Counseling Services in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, licensed drug and alcohol counselor James Adams, MS, LADC-I, offers therapy for loneliness to help you combat negative emotions and become more socially connected. Schedule therapy sessions with James by calling the office or booking an appointment online today. 

What is loneliness?

Loneliness is the lack of feeling socially connected and frequently feeling alone. Longing for social interaction and intimacy is a normal part of maintaining optimal well-being. Even if you’re surrounded by other people throughout the day or are married, you can still experience loneliness. And being lonely poses a threat to your physical and mental well-being. 

Loneliness can also cause distress, discomfort, and sadness due to a gap between your desire for social connection and your actual experiences. James can work with you to close this gap to feel socially fulfilled. 

What are the signs of loneliness?

The symptoms of being lonely may include:

• Feeling left out
• Lack of companionship
• Often feeling alone
• Having little to no friends and family support
• Sadness
• Lack of strong social connections
• Feeling rejected

Mental health disorders that may be linked to loneliness include depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, substance use disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, sleep disorders, and similar conditions. 

Loneliness can also increase your risk of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. 

How can I determine if I struggle with loneliness?

James meets with you during a mental health evaluation to discuss your lifestyle, moods, emotions, thoughts, and feelings to learn if you’re lonely or have any related mental health concerns (dual diagnosis). He customizes therapy sessions to your specific needs and desired mental health outcomes.

Which therapies support loneliness and co-existing mental health concerns?

James offers the following therapies and more at Community Counseling Services:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Drama therapy
• Gestalt therapy
• Group therapy
• Humanistic therapy
• Integrative therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Person-centered therapy
• Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
• Schema therapy
• Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)
• Strength-based therapy 
• Addiction treatment
• Coping skills
• Stress management
• Anger management 
• Mindfullness
• Spirituality 

He tailors therapy sessions based on your individualized needs to help you become more socially connected to the community, family members, or peer relationships. 

James also helps you combat negative emotions, thoughts, self-doubt, and unhealthy lifestyle habits using research-backed approaches. 

He might meet with you weekly or as needed to reduce lonely feelings and enhance your overall mental well-being.

To help eliminate loneliness, schedule an evaluation with James at Community Counseling Services by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.