Counseling Services

Downing Miller, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) has treated people with alcohol and drug abuse problems individually and with their families for over 25 years.  She was an educator for 11 years and an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU)  Rehabilitation Counseling department for 8 years.  Her background is in-patient treatment and outpatient counseling settings at her private practice.

As Downing works with individuals and families who are concerned about their personal lives or the lives of loved ones, she assists in mediating with all members of the family and loved ones in bringing about a collective understanding of the addictive process. The addictive process affects everyone who comes into contact with the alcoholic and drug addict.

A modern approach to assisting the alcoholic or addict is the use of auricular acupuncture. Downing assisted in writing and sponsoring the legislative bill in the state of Virginia that allows auricular acupuncture to be performed by trained ADS counselors. Auricular acupuncture is known for its therapeutic benefits in alleviating cravings and promoting the feelings of wellness for those going through the process of ending the use of drugs, including nicotine.

Downing’s office is located in a private, quiet and relaxed atmosphere, in downtown Charlottesville, where parking is easily available. Office hours are offered weekday, evening and some weekend hours to help those that are working or adolescents in school and who may participate in extra curricular activities.  All of her work is done in a private setting.  No other clients participate in the sessions; all treatment/counseling is done individually. 

Downing is on the approved treatment provider list for James River Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) following an arrest for a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge.  Ten sessions are required by ASAP and these sessions can be completed in as short a period as 4 weeks or as long as 10-12 weeks depending on the need of the client.

Downing has a long history of providing excellent services to those in need and is well known in the community for her work.  She encourages recovering people to have a support system to help maintain sobriety/recovery long after her personal counseling has ended. 

Contacting Downing Miller

If you are interested in services or would like to ask questions about the type of services offered, please send questions by e-mail to info@downingmiller.com or call (434) 825-4238.  Response is typically within 24 hours to an e-mail and within 10 hours or less to a phone call.

Services Offered

• Counseling for all ages from 14 to Seniors
• Individual Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Parenting Counseling related to adolescent drug use
• Co-dependency Counseling
• Adult Children of Alcoholics and Addicts Counseling
• Special program for middle aged women who have not been able to stop drinking
• ASAP treatment services –counseling to fulfill court requirements
• Assessments for Courts and Attorneys
• Referrals to appropriate physicians for medications when needed
• Auricular Acupuncture
• Spiritual health counseling