Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a substance abuse counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 70 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Substance abuse counseling

What is substance abuse counseling?

Substance abuse counseling can help people manage their urges to use the substance they’re addicted to. In addition, it can help people manage the challenges that stem from their substance abuse from relationship issues to problems at work as well as those that their addiction may stem from like trauma.

How does substance abuse counseling work?

Thriveworks substance abuse counseling in Richmond, VA works by helping one understand the underlying causes of their substance abuse, teaching them coping strategies, and recognizing their specific triggers. Long-term or ongoing substance abuse counseling can also help to prevent relapse.

Is substance abuse counseling conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks substance abuse counseling in Richmond, VA is conducted both in person and through online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does substance abuse counseling last?

The length of substance abuse counseling depends on the individual’s needs, the extent and severity of their substance abuse, and the problems that might stem from it. That said, people can make meaningful progress in substance abuse counseling in the first weeks to months.

Need more help deciding?

If you are in need of a SAP evaluation in Richmond, Virginia, contact:

Thriveworks Counseling
5310 Markel Rd., Suite #102
Richmond, Va. 23230
Tel: (804) 554-0356
If your job falls under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines, there are certain policies and regulations that must be followed. In the hiring process for this position, you were asked to submit to a drug and/or alcohol screening. After you are on the job, you are also subject to random screenings. If an accident occurs on the job, you may have to undergo an additional screening for drugs and/or alcohol as part of the investigation process.

The Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance advises the Secretary on national and international drug testing and control issues and is the principal advisor to the Secretary on rules related to the drug and alcohol testing and safety-sensitive transportation employees in aviation, trucking, railroads, mass transit, pipelines and other transportation industries. The Office publishes regulations and provides official interpretations on drug and alcohol testing, including how to conduct tests, and the evaluation and treatment procedures necessary for returning employees to duty after testing violations.

What is a Substance Abuse Professional?

If you have failed a DOT drug and alcohol test, you have probably read about SAPs—or Substance Abuse Professionals. SAPs, according to DOT regulations, are the professionally licensed, credentialed individuals who are responsible for the following:

  • Conducting an initial face-to-face employee evaluation and clinical assessment to determine the level of assistance necessary for an employee who is identified as having alcohol and/or drug-associated problems.
  • Recommending and referring the employee to an appropriate education and/or treatment program.
  • Monitoring the employee’s progress in the education and/or treatment process through regular contact with the treatment provider to check on the employee’s progress and to determine if the recommendation needs to be adjusted or changed. The next contact the SAP has with the employee will be for a follow-up evaluation at the completion of education and/or treatment.
  • Providing the Designated Employer Representative with the follow-up evaluation of the employee and a drug and/or alcohol-testing plan for the employee.

Substance Abuse Professionals represent the major decision point (and, in some cases, the only decision point) an employer may have in choosing whether or not to place an employee behind the steering wheel of a school bus, in the cockpit of a plane, at the helm of an oil tanker, at the throttle of a train, in the engineer compartment of a subway car, or at the emergency control valves of a natural gas pipeline, according to the U.S. DOT.

The SAP is the person who verifies if the employee has successfully complied with his initial recommendation.

SAPs Do Not

SAPs do not provide counseling of the employee. Instead, the SAP is the professional who makes the recommendations for the appropriate education and/or treatment, follow-up tests and aftercare.

SAPs do not make a “fitness for duty” determination as part of the re-evaluation (unless required to do so under an applicable DOT agency regulation). The employer (the DOT) decides whether the employee should be placed back to work in a safety-sensitive position.

Thriveworks Richmond SAPs

At Thriveworks Richmond, we are very serious about the responsibilities and vital role of SAPs. As “gatekeepers” of the process by providing a crucial service to the employee, the employer and the millions of people who travel throughout the nation, SAPs have an immense obligation to the public. The SAP is the individual who ensures that the employee has successfully complied–or has not complied–with the SAP recommendation. The SAPs at Thriveworks Richmond are professionally licensed and knowledgeable of the DOT guidelines. They have:

  • Clinical experience in the diagnosis of substance abuse-related disorders.
  • An understanding of how the SAP role relates to the responsibilities employers have for ensuring the safety of the traveling public.
  • Meet all SAP standards and training requirements.
  • Hold qualifications and credentials to fill the role of SAP.
  • Regularly attend continuing education activities.
  • Knowledge and understanding of reporting that the employee has or has not complied with the SAP’s recommendation.
  • Have a passing score on the examination for the role of SAP.
  • Understanding of the U.S. DOT’s expanded and revised drug use and alcohol misuse prevention rules for the commercial transportation industries.
  • The background and reasoning of the DOT’s drug and alcohol testing program.
  • Knowledge the DOT’s drug and alcohol testing rules.
  • Knowledge of DOT drug testing requirements, such as laboratory testing and collections.
  • Understanding of the role of the SAP in the initial employee evaluation, referrals for education and/or treatment, the follow-up evaluation, continuing treatment recommendation and the follow-up testing plan.
  • Knowledge of reporting and record-keeping requirements.

What Credentials are Necessary to be a SAP?

Credentials are mandatory to fill the role of a SAP. A SAP must hold one of the following credentials.

  • Licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy).
  • Licensed or certified social worker.
  • Licensed or certified psychologist.
  • Licensed or certified employee assistance professional.
  • State-licensed marriage and family therapist.
  • A drug and alcohol counselor certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission; or by the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse; or by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates/Master Addictions Counselor.

Drug Addiction

Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.*

*National Institute on Drug Abuse

How Soon Can I Get an Appointment With the SAP?

Thriveworks Richmond SAPs typically schedule initial evaluations within five business days. In addition, the SAP’s recommendation about appropriate education and/or treatment program is dependent on your specific needs, which includes the presence of and, if identified, severity of your drug or alcohol problem. The SAP will identify the level of drug and/or alcohol use in order to make the recommendation about education and/or treatment.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Richmond therapists and counselors accept 28 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | Exchange

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

Show more
Self-pay costs at Richmond
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.7 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I have looked so long for a new counselor and finally found a wonderful therapist through thrive works… Rhiannon Price has been working with me and has helped me so much
Read more I have looked so long for a new counselor and finally found a wonderful therapist through thrive works… Rhiannon Price has been working with me and has helped me so much
Michelle Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★☆☆☆
My experience has been somewhat less desiring. My ongoing sessions with the counselor is not as expected. It’s not engaging and oftentimes we are sitting in silence. I even asked if there was an ending game plan so we know where we are working towards and I didn’t get an answer.
Read more My experience has been somewhat less desiring. My ongoing sessions with the counselor is not as expected. It’s not engaging and oftentimes we are sitting in silence. I even asked if there was an ending game plan so we know where we are working towards and I didn’t get an answer.
Chris Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
I have known Scott Beach personally and professionally for almost 15 years. He is a caring and compassionate individual and an outstanding clinician. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking to engage with an ethical and skilled counselor who will meet you where you are without judgment and work with you to achieve your counseling goals!
Read more I have known Scott Beach personally and professionally for almost 15 years. He is a caring and compassionate individual and an outstanding clinician. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking to engage with an ethical and skilled counselor who will meet you where you are without judgment and work with you to achieve your counseling goals!
Richmond Jul 2020
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Ashley Crouch has been been a blessing to me over the past year. I cannot begin to thank her enough for how she has impacted my life. She is very effective, professional, and respectful. My quality of life has improved by leaps and bounds and I'm forever grateful. I live in a rural area with few counseling options, so online counseling was a Godsend, and so was Ashley!
Read more Ashley Crouch has been been a blessing to me over the past year. I cannot begin to thank her enough for how she has impacted my life. She is very effective, professional, and respectful. My quality of life has improved by leaps and bounds and I'm forever grateful. I live in a rural area with few counseling options, so online counseling was a Godsend, and so was Ashley!
Richmond Dec 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Exceptional service.
Richmond Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I’ve been seeing Ashley for about a month now at Thriveworks and I couldn’t be happier. She really helped me get back to person I use to be. I’ve had a rough couple years and she has me well on my way to a better me.
Read more I’ve been seeing Ashley for about a month now at Thriveworks and I couldn’t be happier. She really helped me get back to person I use to be. I’ve had a rough couple years and she has me well on my way to a better me.
Richmond Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
Great scheduling service. Emma Denat is fantastic as a counselor. Highly recommend this practice.
Read more Great scheduling service. Emma Denat is fantastic as a counselor. Highly recommend this practice.
Richmond Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
So far, everything with Thriveworks has been great - easy to schedule, easy to meet, and really finding great help all around.
Read more So far, everything with Thriveworks has been great - easy to schedule, easy to meet, and really finding great help all around.
Richmond Jan 2019
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Richmond is located off of Markel Rd, just south of Libbie Place Shopping Center. Our building is across the street from the Faison Center and next to Pandora’s Lashes and Coates and Davenport, P.C. Our office is in the Enterprise Center, which we share with Liquid Talent Agency and SIL Insurance, among other businesses.

Phone number

(804) 312-5498

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • Polish
  • English
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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