Addiction Therapists in De Winton, AB.

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!

What emotions are your addiction trying to mask? What are you escaping from? Is your addiction costing you your relationship, your family, your work? Your addiction or dependency, is serving a purpose. Let’s explore, understand and uncover what that purpose is and what the core issues are. It’s time to lead a healthier and more intentional life.

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 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!

People don’t just “choose” addiction or harm—they’re often trying to cope with pain, trauma, stress, or the chaos of life. Harm reduction means we stop treating substance use like a moral failing and start treating it like what it is: a complex human behaviour that deserves understanding, safety, and support. We don’t expect perfection or total abstinence overnight. Instead, we offer a space where you can be honest about your use without fear of judgment or shame. We focus on: Understanding your relationship with substances and what role they play. Exploring safer ways to reduce risk—for your health, your relationships, and your life. Supporting you in setting realistic, achievable goals.

Addiction is a beast; one I have fought for most of my life, and beating it (and continuing to beat it every day) is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'm also living proof that it can be done. I'm different in that I'm not here to enforce any programs on you and will never judge you. I will work with who you are as a person to determine how best you can recover, on your terms.

Feeling trapped in a cycle of addiction? Are you using to escape reality? Do you feel like you can't function without your addictive crutches? Do you struggle to control your cravings, and your loved ones are worried? If any of any of this sounds familiar, counselling can help. Let's work together to break free from the chains of addiction and regain control of your life. Imagine building stronger relationships with family and friends, living a healthier life, and finding emotional balance and inner peace. Take the first step towards a brighter future today. Book your free 15-minute consultation now.

[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

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.

If addiction concerns are an issue for you or someone you love, please contact me for information on my approach and how I can assist you on this journey. I utilize a client-centered approach, honouring and respecting where you are at in the change process. Your therapeutic goals and desired outcomes are of upmost importance and counselling will be tailored to provide you with individualized support and change strategies.

Addiction can rob individuals and families of the hope to continue fighting. However, addictions can be overcome and people do become free of the intrusive urge behaviours and feelings that addiction encompasses. Give the high correlation between trauma and addictions my team, and I use a method of trauma therapy called the EMDR to alleviate the suffering.

If you or someone you know are addicted to prescription drugs, Dr. Mervin (Paraklesis Counselling) can come alongside you and help you to break the cycle of lapse and relapse. Often people with depression become dependent on taking benzodiazepines (a suppressant that depresses the mood), and they therefore struggle not only to get out of the depression but also to stop taking the tranquilizers. With an understanding of the working mechanisms of the drugs, and with the guidance of a psychopharmacologist, you can begin a new chapter in your life.

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.