Addiction Therapists in Calmar, AB.

Embracing recovery from addiction is a courageous and transformative journey, and I'm here to walk it with you. As a dedicated counsellor, I provide a safe and empathetic environment where you can heal and regain control over your life. Together, we will explore the root causes of your addiction, develop tailored strategies for recovery, and foster resilience for a brighter future. I understand the complexities of addiction, and I'm committed to guiding you toward lasting recovery and a fulfilling life. Your journey to healing starts here, where hope, transformation, and lasting change are within reach."

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.

Addictions are not problems, they are bad solutions. We always need to find the underlying problems and find effective solutions for them before we can let go of the stop-gap solution - whether the addiction is to a substance, a person, or an activity such as sex or gambling. There is always fear and pain underlying the addiction. We must learn to accept these feelings in order to free ourselves.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I know what it is like to be an addict. I have been in recovery from my addiction for several years now. I am also an international expert in this field. My American textbook called “Addictions Counseling Today: Substances and Addictive Behaviors” was published recently. I have been a practicing psychologist since 1986. If you need a competent psychologist, book now at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

My approach to addiction treatment is supportive, non-judgmental, and rooted in understanding the underlying emotional and psychological needs driving the behavior. I use evidence-based therapies like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness to help you develop healthier coping strategies, build self-awareness, and reconnect with your values. We’ll work together to reduce shame, strengthen emotional regulation, and support lasting change through compassion, skill-building, and a focus on what truly matters to you.

Change is hard. However, you made a first step and recognized there is a problem. Next step is to find a caring professional who will support you on your road to recovery. I want to be that person for you. I want to give you time and space to share with me your thoughts, emotions, needs, desires, struggles, and questions. I want to empower you to take control.

I have been clean and sober nearly 26 years. I am familiar with 12-step approaches to treating addictions and compulsions, and sympathetic to those who find them uesful. There are, however, many who need help but cannot find it in 12 step programs. I am able to meet many of these where they are, and help them in ways they are able to use. Addiction and compulsions, like all conditions that respond to psychotherapy, are phenomena that are overcome through personal growth.

Our Therapists at Rivers Edge Counselling can help you to • Find the cause of your addiction and manage it effectively • Learn how addiction works and take necessary steps to reduce it • Control emotions and quit unhealthy habits • Coping with the stages of change • Understanding your own self and develop self esteem • Develop skills to understand your addiction

Addiction comes in many forms - from drugs and alcohol to exercise and eating to porn and gambling and a variety of others. For some of these addictions, there can be more of a physiological or even genetic component. For all addictions, we see two key aspects: 1) avoidance of pain, discomfort, suffering, conflict, memories and 2) seeking of enjoyment, fun, pleasure, and comfort. And yet, it's never satisfied and you may feel like you just can't stop, like you're on a hamster wheel that you can't get off. That's where therapy can come in to support you in working towards change. You deserve support in these challenges. Reach out and let's work towards a more hopeful future for you.

In my approach to addiction counselling, I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to explore and address the root causes of addictive behaviours. IFS helps uncover the underlying emotional wounds, traumas, or unmet needs that may be driving the addiction, allowing for deep healing and transformation. By working with the different parts of the self that may be holding onto patterns of addiction, clients can better understand the internal conflicts that contribute to their behaviours. This holistic approach promotes long-term recovery by fostering self-awareness, self-compassion, and the development of healthier coping mechanisms. Through this process, clients are empowered to break free from

Overcoming addiction is a challenging journey that requires support, understanding, and effective strategies. As a Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor, I offer specialized therapy to help individuals address substance abuse and addictive behaviours. In my therapy practice, I emphasize a compassionate approach through various cognitive therapies, including CBT. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to substance use or problem gambling. If you're ready, I invite you to book a free 15-minute phone consultation to explore how I can support you.

When working with clients who have addictions, it is important to understand family history, underlying triggers, and enabling factors to better manage the disease. Addiction treatment with me generally includes psychoeducation, challenging negative thought patterns, coping skill development, and relapse prevention, planning. My goal is to help clients intellectualize their substance use and improve their methods of coping so they can finally regain control over their addictions and their lives. Once clients are able, we may also work on repairing their self-image and relationships with others as these can often be damaged by addictions.

Addictions come in a variety of forms such as alcohol and drugs, pornography, media, the internet, sex and sexual intimacy, relationships, and many others. What is common to all types of addiction is the negative impact such patterns can have on our lives, our loved ones, and things we hold dear in life. If you are caught in the chains of addiction and find yourself unable to break free, I can help you. I want to give you the power to walk down the path of recovery and to mend the damage that addiction has created in your life. In therapy we will invest the time and energy to discover what has led to addiction for you, and use proven methods to resolve the sources of addiction.