Addiction Therapists in Calgary, AB.

I have worked in the addictions field for the past 15+ years. My understanding of addiction is that it stems from multiple traumas whether beginning in childhood or adulthood. My approach to counselling is mind/body focused and aims to assist clients to heal wounds caused by trauma at the body level where trauma is stored. If we experienced early childhood trauma, often the body is the only access point to heal trauma as we experienced trauma before we had the ability to process things verbally. I also believe that in order to heal trauma, we need to heal in relationship as the majority of our traumas occurred in relationships which counselling provides between therapist and client.

Addiction can be a lonely burden to carry. Those around you may have trouble understanding what you are going through which can create separation in relationships and leave you feeling worse. My approach is to find the right strategies to get you back in control and leading a healthy life. We will explore the roots and meaning behind ones addiction and develop healthy coping.

Addiction can be anything from annoying to devastating in terms of the effect on your life. Addictive behavior of any kind, substances, technologies, food, sex, porn has the potential to limit the quality of life of those affected. If you are reading this it is possible that you may be having an experience with an addiction of your own or someone you care about and are interested in wanting change. Addiction is very understandable from a brain science perspective. There is a part of our brain that has a habit making function. We very easily form habits that have an emotional payoff for us. Once a behavior has a payoff then this brain jumps into action to create a brain pathway that helps us repeat the behavior. In other words, it helps us to keep...(view profile to read more)

It is my belief that addition is a disease of the mind and the most major symptom is craving. Although withdrawal and tolerance are both indicative of addiction, even worrisome drinking or substance use can be classified as addiction. Addiction is a progressive illness and can destroy people's lives quickly. A client will be at a certain level of awareness of their addiction. Through motivational interviewing, I can help the client move towards a desire for change and into actual change. I am a firm believer in the 12 step spiritual programs and believe that it is pertinent for a client to find a sense of spirituality in order to recover and thrive.

I help clients with addictions using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a research-based form of therapy in which I am certified. Strategies include avoiding high-risk situations and activities, managing urges and emotions, thinking of the benefits of staying on track and the downsides of using, and countering permission-giving thoughts.

Jennifer believes in the value of 12-step programs, due to their high success rate and popularity worldwide. She also believes, however, that often more issues need to be dealt with that are not treated in 12-Step programs, for clients to see long lasting success. If you have completed, and/or are currently a part of a 12-Step program, but feel you would benefit from working through some additional issues in therapy, Jennifer would be a good fit.

Addictions issues can both result from distress in relationships and precipitate or create distress. Support in addressing addictions issues can have a signifiacant positive impact on overall relationship functioning. The fact that relationships are one of our primary coping mechanisms multiplies the potential distress when addictions is present as it impacts the very mechanisms we use to cope.

While most treatment approaches to addiction include 12 step programs, rehabs, and now sober living houses, Grey Matters International, Inc. provides a wildly successful alternative to traditional models of addiction treatment----that keeps the brain in mind. That is, talking to the conscious brain while the primal brain is deciding things even before you are consciously aware? Well, that is the problem to solve in addiction. We have the solution utilizing a new cutting edge neuroscience-centered brain rebalancing system. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or call 877-606-6161.

One of my favourite authors on addiction says "What if we replaced the word "addict" with: “A human being who suffered so much that he or she finds in drugs or some other behavior a temporary escape from that suffering"? G. Mate. When I see clients struggling with an addiction, I also see them struggling with pain. I work on both pain and the addiction as a method.

Addictions, in any of their many forms, from shopping and gambling to sex, tobacco, alcohol or drugs (street or prescription), exert a stranglehold on individual quality of life and relationships that can be devastating. The first line of attack against the addiction is information and awareness. I can help you begin that process. Together, we can look at how the addiction has convinced you it can help you cope with life ... and we can begin to address the lies addiction has told you. We can look at the triggers for your addiction, alternative strategies for coping with emotions and stressors, and ways to maintain your gains. I can help you rebuild your relationships and your life.

The question is not why the addiction, but why the pain (Dr. Gabor Mate). Addictions can be difficult to overcome because it both causes problems AND medicates the pain of life in the short-term. Also, there is great stigma from society around addiction--so many have said, Why dont you just stop using? Motivational interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Relapse-Prevention techniques can be very helpful in supporting people through recovery rather than shaming them towards quitting a substance without dealing with whatever is underlying the addiction.

Learning to successfully manage and overcome a variety of addictions is focussed on. Some of the areas are drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling and eating. The approach does not view total abstinence as being the only method in many situations. Saftety for all people involved is, however, a priority. Usually people struggling with addicgtions will switch addictions if one area is stopped without addressing the underlying issues. The underlyng issues, such as unmanageable emotions or troubling circumstances are addressed and usually lead to loing term success in working out addictions.

Is your use of porn, alcohol, shopping, prescription medication, illegal drugs, tv, food, video games and online activities bothering you or someone you love? Are you wondering if it is an addiction? Sometimes a good strategy goes bad when it is relied on too much. Then the strategy has become the boss and not just a tool. Discover the addictive voice and learn about the sober/healthy voice. Learn to respond to the part of you that would like relief and wants to be addiction-free (your noble self). Learn more effective ways to manage stress so you are not turning to substances or behaviors that are costing your peace of mind.

Having worked previously at an addictions treatment facility for over 9 years, I have seen both the damage caused by a variety of addictions and the ability of individuals to arrest addictive behaviors and re-build healthy addiction-free lives. Whether you are attempting to moderate your use of an addictive substance or behavior, or abstain completely, therapy is an important tool. Together we will explore your triggers for addiction, relapse prevention strategies, and look at the resources available to you as you recover.

For every woman, the first step towards freedom from addiction is always the step of coming to believe in freedom and to believe that freedom is possible. We can show you a way out of the guilt and away from the shame that keeps you from the love your heart longs for. Reject the lie that you will always be an addict, reclaim your ability to know truth and choose life!

Addiction is a complex disease that affects the functioning of the brain and body. It causes serious damage to families, relationships, communities and workplaces. Common symptoms of addiction include loss of control, preoccupation with using, continued use despite consequences, failed attempts to quit, high tolerance and withdrawal. At Valiant Recovery, our specialty is addiction treatment, and we offer services such as professional intervention, detoxification, 30, 60 or 90-day residential rehabilitation, and a sober living program for our alumni. Addiction can be effectively prevented, treated and managed with the help of our expert addiction specialists.

Don't let addiction rule your life for another minute. We work with folks who struggle with addiction on a maintenance level and who have been in recovery for some time. We can help with creating a path forward for healing old wounds, understanding the behaviors and for installing positive habits as replacements.

The term “addiction” is often used to describe relating to a substance/process in a way that leads to unwanted outcomes. For example, a substance addiction might be alcohol, while a process addiction might be unwanted pornography use. I believe that the relationship one has to a substance/process exists in the system of their whole self. Through psychotherapy, patterns of emotions, thoughts, and behaviours that support addiction can be shifted. In my experience, working through deeper issues which can underlie addiction behaviours leads to more sustainable outcomes. If there is a behaviour present in your life that you can’t seem to kick, therapy can aid you in achieving the change you want.

Addiction is often the surface problem, it's a way of staying away from a greater pain that is below the surface. Doing addiction counselling with me is a gentle and compassionate process of tending to the real issues below the addiction, so that there is no longer a need to engage in this harmful behaviour. When you pull out the roots of a weed, the weed will not grow back, and real change has been achieved!

An addiction, whether to a substance or a behaviour, is an attempt to alleviate distress, self-soothe or fill an emptiness. The substance or behavior cannot bring relief because it is not what you truly need. No matter how you have been self-medicating your stress and pain thus far, I can help you treat the underlying issues in ways that are life-sustaining rather than destructive. The earlier you get help, the better. I will compassionately help you no matter how many times you have tried to quit and will help you establish ways that will help you stay quit. I provide therapy for various addictions with a sex addiction specialty. I help those addicted as well as their families.

Therapy is essential if you are struggling with substance dependence or addictive behaviours, or have a loved one who is. Having worked with various mental health and addictions programs, including with individuals who have concurrent mental health and addiction problems, I am experienced in providing therapy/counselling to move you towards health, wellbeing, and happiness again. Together we will work towards your goals of reducing or abstaining from addictive substances or behaviours, as well as preventing of relapse during stressful times. You are not alone on this journey.

In our early environments, we absorb a lot of information about ourselves and the world. Sometimes this stuff is positive – like language or self-soothing, but sometimes it comes from a disruptor and is not. Things like criticism, alcohol used by a parent, detachment from parents, perfectionism, or whatever can cause limiting beliefs about one’s self.

Do you find you want to cut down or eliminate substances from your life yet continue to come back to it? Are you experiencing cravings or using more of the substance than you used to or for longer periods than you intended? Are your usage patterns interfering with your ability to fulfil important obligations at home, or at work, or with extended family members or friends? If so, we can help you talk about and come to terms with the next steps to take to begin the healing process, gain greater self-awareness and understanding of how to overcome addiction, receive the support you need and improve your sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Call us today at 403-255-8577 to book an appointment or to gain more information.

Addiction recovery is a very windy road, often feeling like a loosing uphill battle. It isn't. And it is possible to travel this journey and be healthy and in long term recovery. I work with the client to be present in the moment and day and to focus on the control the client has and to understand what control the client does not have. I also work with the client on forgiveness. Addiction recovery can surface many other worries and there can be shame, grief and new struggles that present themselves. It's common and something that I work with the client on.

Do you ever wonder what it would feel like to truly be free? Not just hanging on for dear life and hiding a life of secrets, but to be truly able to look in the mirror and say, "I'll never go back again?" You don't need to wonder anymore. Let us walk with you as you discover how to be free of that hunger inside and to never feel that fear again. Our Registered Christian Addictions Counselling can help you set love in order and you can truly live again!