Plug Back Into Life with Dr. David Greenfield at the Healing Center
Healing Addictions Since 1987
More National Media Featuring Dr. David Greenfield…
What Dr. Greenfield’s patients say: There was a time in my life where I would have considered myself to be the doormat of the social universe. Many events like Christmas parties, family dinners, and nights out with friends so that I could squeeze in a couple more hours on my favorite games. I had passed up trips to the zoo, dinners at nice restaurants, poker nights with the guys, and even when there were things I wanted to do outside gaming – I would sometimes forget. Upon hours and hours of time I had relinquished to someone else’s created world. I realized that I had completely lost time with everything that was and remains important in my life. I had to do something. But that something was not something I could do on my own. Dr. Greenfield introduced me to the truth behind video gaming, and with his program successfully pushed me out of the competitive, manipulative addictive world I was living in. I now see that there’s a bigger picture and that’s not simply a metaphor. The world is in fact much bigger than a 17″ screen. The only world that truly provides us with endless possibilities. – Peter
Dr. Greenfield was instrumental in helping me recognize and overcome my denial of the self-destructive vortex that overuse of online computer games had pulled me into. In my conversations with him, he taught me to deal with computer games, how to control my desire to play them and also how to better ground myself in the real world.~Former patient
Dr. Dave helped save my life, my marriage and my job. In addition to helping me, Dr. Dave helped my wife – the most beautiful, loving, patient person in the world and my best friend and soul’s companion – understand what I was going through. My wife and I often say “there aren’t words to describe” the love we have for one another. Similarly, every single day, we also say “Thank God for Dr. Dave.”. ~ Previously addicted to Internet pornography
He can and does help. He is a real person, safe and good. And he continues walking me to a path of good, toward a life of my own. ~ Chip
Thanks to his straightforward attitude, without any psychological mishmash or self-victimization, Dr. Greenfield told me the truth, whether I wanted to hear it or not, and then helped me learn to accept it. He’s one of the rare psychologists who will tell you it you straight, cares about your well-being and is interested in you getting well and becoming a better, more whole person, free from any and all addictions. For this, I’m very grateful. ~Former patient
From the moment I met with him the first time, he made me feel at ease and comfortable. After our first session, I couldn’t wait to see him again because I knew I was stepping toward healing. ~ Woman suffering severe depression
What I admire most about Dr. Dave is that he is real. He showed me his tremendous sadness when his own mother passed away. He admitted that life isn’t always fun, but it’s up to us to enjoy the ride. ~ Bereaved over death of a parent
The good doctor has changed my life and I will never forget it. Although we don’t socialize outside of sessions, I consider him one of my closest and dearest friends, and I love him. ~ Kevin
About Dr. Greenfield’s Book ” Virtual Addiction” is an enlightening look at the Nature of compulsive use of the Internet. As we progress quickly into the Internet age, this book addresses the ramifications of Internet abuse in our daily lives and provides help for this burgeoning clinical phenomenon” –Dr. Kimberly S. Young, author of Caught in the Net and President, The Center for On-Line Addiction
“As Dave Greenfield astutely recognizes, the Internet is neither the perfect global village envisioned by cyber-utopians, nor the destructive realm of immorality described by doomsayers. Rather, there is both promise and peril in cyberspace, and Dr. Greenfield’s eminently readable book offers sage (and often humorous) advice for the average user on how to maintain a happy and balanced life both on-line and off.” –Paul Schiff Berman, Associate Professor, University of Connecticut School of Law
“While recognizing and sharing his own need to keep his Internet and family life in balance, Dr. Greenfield offers practical and therapeutic suggestions for how we can stop. Not only is this book a must-read for those feeling out-of-control and not knowing where to turn, but it should also be required reading for those about to log onto the Internet for the first time.” –Rand Holman, MBA, Market Analyst & Researcher, freelance business and technology writer
“The power of the Internet combined with the seductive nature of cybersex presents a unique breeding ground for addictive behavior to flourish. It is imperative that our culture understand the importance of utilizing this new medium with balance and perspective in order to maximize the beneficial potential of cyberspace. Dr. Greenfield has presented us with an excellent and much-needed resource to help web surfers avoid Internet pitfalls as well as climb out of virtual addiction for those already cyber-trapped” –Donna Rice Hughs, author of Kids Online: Protecting Your Children in Cyberspace, Vice-President of “Enough is Enough, and Commissioner for Child Online Protection Commission
“As the phenomena of the Internet continues to explode and permeate every aspect of people’s lives, the concerns about misuse and overuse grow. Dr. Greenfield covers a variety of questions that online users may have about their Internet patterns and provides practical guidelines to help them ascertain whether they have a problem, and if so, steps they can take. The book is a must for those who fit this category, those questioning whether they do, and their loved ones.” –Al Cooper, Ph.D., Clinical Director, San Jose Marital and Sexuality Centre and Training Coordinator, Counseling and Psychological Services, Stanford University.
Review by Katherine Schneider Counseling Service, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire As a psychologist, I’m a heavy user of the Internet, to search databases for articles about my clients’ problems, to find self-help web resources and books to recommend to them, to say nothing of using email and being a lurker on about ten professional listservs. Then, because I am blind and newspapers do not come out in Braille, I gleefully read the New York Times and the Christian Science Monitor online; the first time in my life I can read newspapers independently. But am I an addict or just a heavy user of this wonderful resource? Virtual Addiction by Greenfield helps each of us to answer that question and to help our clients do the same. If there are reasons to answer with a “yes”, this book also provides plenty of resources and tips for getting unhooked without having to become a Ludite. Greenfield first talks about the nature of addiction and the similarities among all addictions. “If it gets you high it’s all the same.” Then he gives warning signs and two self-quizzes. He handles questions like “is it abuse or addiction?” and “Do I need abstinence or controlled use?” and gives tips for reclaiming your life. These include exercise, taking a net holiday and considering a support group. Much of the book considers particular pitfalls like cyberrelationships, e-shopping and e-investing, and Internet addiction on the job. Each chapter is replete with case histories and helpful suggestions for conquering the problem. For example, in the chapter on shopping and investing online, it is suggested that you turn off the computer between transactions and make a list of what you’re going to buy before you go online. It is suggested that every company have and widely distribute an Internet use policy as well as providing employee assistance services for employees with problems of virtual addiction. A chapter on safeguarding your children online and a chapter on the future of the Internet round out the text. Appendices include FAQs and resources for further help on and off-line. Virtual Addiction is a useful resource for lay and professional audiences alike. An index and consideration of online games and MUDS would be useful additions, as would a chapter on repetitive strain injury and desktop yoga. Whether someone who was truly hooked could turn it off, tune into themselves and get their life back in balance using only this book is questionable to me. However, even if it only helps someone realize they have a problem, before they end up losing a job, a marriage or a lot of money, it’s well worth the price of the paperback!
