Manassas VA Internet Addiction Counseling

Internet Addiction in Manassas, VA—Counselors and Therapists

Megan did not really want to make this appointment, but something her kid said made her stop and think. They were at soccer game when Megan heard her kid say to a friend, “yeah, I think mom’s phone is glued to her hands.” Megan was even on her phone at the time when she knew she should have been watching the game. Being on top of email really helps me at work, Megan told herself. She tried for a few weeks to cut back and use her phone less in the evenings. She had a good day here and there, but walking away from the Internet was a lot harder than Megan anticipated. Megan did not really want to see a therapist, but the more she thought about how much she was on her phone and online, the more she realized that it had become a problem. Megan was not just missing soccer games. She was on her phone during movies and dinner and on the weekends and in bed. Megan decided it was time to get help. More and more, people are like Megan. They are struggling with how much they are online or when they are using the Internet or what they do online. They are losing control, and an Internet addiction is developing. Also like Megan, more and more people are reaching out for help and going to therapy for compulsive Internet use.

“Turn off your email; turn off your phone; disconnect from the Internet; figure out a way to set limits so you can concentrate when you need to, and disengage when you need to. Technology is a good servant but a bad master.” —Gretchen Rubin

Tablets, laptops, unlimited data plans, and smartphones allow many people to be on the Internet whenever and wherever they want to be. Just as with other behavior-based addictions, some people have no problem going offline or controlling what they do online, but others struggle. Anintern Internet addiction may look like being online too much. It may also look like taking unnecessary risks while online. Like any addiction, compulsive Internet use can cause significant harm, but it also has treatments that may mitigate the destructive effects.

Thriveworks Manassas provides counseling for Internet addiction, and our therapists have seen many clients who are struggling. Their Internet use may be holding them back professionally or within their personal relationships, but we have also seen many people find treatment and regain control.

Compulsive Internet Use

Even in the days of dial-up Internet, mental health professionals were discussing how people used the Internet. In 1995, the idea that someone could be addicted to being online was first introduced, and by 1998, criteria had been developed for recognizing signs of Internet dependency. If people are struggling with five or more of these diagnostics, then they may be addicted to the Internet. Many signs overlap with other types of addiction:

  1. Escalation: using the Internet for increasingly longer times or taking increasing risks online in order to feel the same level of satisfaction.
  2. Deception: lying to others about what one is doing on the Internet or when/how long one is online. This may also include self-deception that minimizes the consequences of one’s Internet use.
  3. Obsession: being preoccupied or thinking constantly about being online.
  4. Lost Control: spending more time online than one anticipated or planned to spend.
  5. Irritability: feeling moody or depressed when not online or when Internet use is threatened.
  6. Self-medicating: going online to regulate one’s mood or handle difficult feelings.
  7. Risk: putting one’s personal or professional life in jeopardy in order to be online.
  8. Failed Attempts to Quit: trying to quit or curb use but being unable to do so.

Effects of Internet Addiction

When people are fighting Internet compulsions, they will experience negative effects in real life. Internet addiction can take an emotional and physical toll. As you read through these effects, do you recognize anything in your own life? Early recognition of Internet addiction may lead to early treatment and more effective treatment.

When someone is fighting an Internet addiction, they may experience these emotional red flags:

  • Mood swings
  • Feelings of guilt
  • Boredom
  • Dishonesty
  • Isolation
  • Defensiveness
  • Feelings of elation when using the Internet
  • Inability to keep to a schedule
  • Agitation
  • Fear
  • Procrastination
  • Avoidance of work
  • Depression
  • Loneliness
  • Anxiety
  • Losing a sense of time

When someone is fighting an Internet addiction, they may experience these physical red flags:

  • Neck pain
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Poor nutrition (forgetting to eat or eating excessively)
  • Dry eyes and other vision problems
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Poor personal hygiene (e.g., not brushing teeth, changing clothes, bathing, and more)
  • Backache
  • Weight loss or gain

Treatment at Thriveworks Manassas for Internet Addiction

Maybe you are a professional who cannot put the smartphone away. Maybe you are always on social media, searching for the next trend or the next “like.” Internet addiction can take many different forms and can affect people of all ages. If you are struggling to regulate how much you are online or what you do when you are online, it may be time to reach out for help. And there is help available. Thriveworks Manassas offers appointments for Internet addiction. When you call our office, you may be meeting with one of our mental health professionals the following day. We accept many different forms of insurance, and we offer evening and weekend sessions. Let’s work together.

Thriveworks Counseling Manassas

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 17 5 1 17 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Manassas

Depression

★★★★★
I believe my depression is coming from the lack of education, I have and the loss of so many jobs. It's finding but hard to keep a job. I'm embarrassed it has been hindering me for many years now I can't stand it I've been trying to get help for a while now and don't know where to go I am on suppression medication. I see a doctor every two weeks I have talked to him about this and until u was blacking the blue in the face. I think he sees it now. Thank good
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Great first experience

★★★★★
So far I’m having a great first experience with Therapy.
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Lisa

★★★★★
I started with Thriveworks and Lisa 3-4 months ago and I was nervous about telling a "stranger" my deepest issues and things I'm not always comfortable admitting myself. I have to say she has been amazing through an really tough relationship break and other things I was or am going through in life. She makes you feel comfortable and truly listens, providing support and options for situations which allow me to be able to look at situations differently. She has made an incredible improvement on my life and I always look forward to meeting with her. It has become a breath of fresh air for me. She is amazing and I consider her a friend. You can't go wrong.
Thriveworks Counseling Manassas

So far I am liking my sessions and my counselor

★★★★★
So far I am liking my sessions and my counselor
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My counselor is great

★★★★★
My counselor is great
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Lisa Cornelius- My wonderful experience with her.

★★★★★
I worked with Lisa Cornelius for more than 6 months and she really is amazing. She helped me through my struggles by giving me strategies that could help me involve my well being. She is honest and she will connect with your situation by putting herself in your shoes. I've never connected with a therapist like I have with her. She really knows what she is doing. I highly recommend her!
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Counseling appreciation

★★★★★
A note of thanks to my counselor Lisa Cornelius. I have seen her for 2 years now and through our sessions an finding that I am a good person who has needs and a future that I never knew at 72 I coukd look forward to. Our lives go full circle sometimes and after bad things happen we start to think we have no right to try to be anyone but who others think we should be....not true! Hopefully Lisa and I can continue this journey and I can learn to relax in the real me and be content and happy with myself...thank you Lisa ....
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Ms. Lisa

★★★★★
Ms. Lisa is a very amazing counselor. She helps you understand and can relate to you, which makes you feel better. Her way of counseling is different from past counselor. It was more dull with my past counselor, but with Ms. Lisa it is different. It is better to me. I definitely recommend Ms. Lisa because everytime I leave I feel lighter and a little bit better. 😊
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Shannon Oesch

★★★★★
Shannon Oesch is an excellent therapist and friend. I met Shannon years ago in Hawaii where I worked at a domestic violence shelter. Shannon came and facilitated a weekly support group and made a huge impact on many lives. Shannon is easy to talk to and a great listener!
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Shannon Oesch LCSW

★★★★★
Shannon was very supportive as a Clinical Supervisor and extremely knowledgeable and experienced in her field. She has helped me develop my clinical skills and competencies throughout my Social Work career.
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It was an excellent experience.

★★★★★
It was an excellent experience. I have been suffering from high anxiety and was skeptical about talking with someone who didn’t know me. After my first session I could finally see light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot wait for my next appointments so that I can learn how to take my life back.
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So far, so good!

★★★★★
So far, so good!
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Had a very pleasant conversation with Mary

★★★★☆
Had a very pleasant conversation with Mary. It’s difficult to tell if she’s the one for me. Went as inspected .
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Thriveworks is amazing.

★★★★★
Thriveworks is amazing. It is such a relief to feel you are connecting with someone who truly understands the root of your problems and gives you hope that you can work through them. I am very thankful for this place.
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Comfortable, compassionate and welcoming staff.

★★★★★
Comfortable, compassionate and welcoming staff. My daughter and I have been impressed with every aspect of our experience with Thriveworks. High five!
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Good sessions

★★★★☆
Good sessions
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Yes!

★★★★★
I've taken a tour of this counseling practice, and met some of the staff. This practice is way above par, for sure.
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Thriveworks Counseling

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  • 10755 Ambassador Dr STE 201,
    Manassas, VA 20109

  • Mon-Fri:7AM-9:30PM
    Saturday:7AM-6PM
    Sunday:8AM-5PM

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