Addiction Therapists in Bowen Island, BC.

There is no magic bullet to treating addictions. Many addictions stem from a trifecta of circumstances: (1) a biological / chemical dependance (eg. alcohol leads to chemical changes how our brain and body's nervous system functions and communicates) , (2) a cognitive dependance (I deserve a drink at the end of the day, it helps me relax), and (3) a behavioural (eg. having a drink at a social event is normal, or helps me loosen up). Often addiction is a (not so) perfect storm of these three issues. The good news is that the Cognitive and Behavioural components are quite easy to begin to address; and, in turn, the biological / chemical component is also adjusted.

Addiction is ritualized comfort seeking. If you're stuck in an addiction it's because you've used it as a way to find comfort from pain and distress for years. I can help you identify the root cause of that pain, and heal the emotional wounds so that you can learn to face life without needing to self-medicate. I struggled with porn addiction for almost two decades so I know it isn't easy to break the cycle, but it is possible. I have learned the tools through my own experience and clinical training to help you create a robust plan to start your recovery journey with clarity and conviction. I'd be honoured to travel with you on your journey.

Addictions counselling at Teo Counselling focuses on understanding the underlying emotional, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to substance use or addictive behaviours. We take a compassionate, non-judgmental, and evidence-based approach that supports clients in building awareness of triggers, strengthening coping strategies, and developing healthier patterns of regulation and decision-making. Clients often benefit from improved self-control, reduced reliance on substances or compulsive behaviours, and greater emotional stability. Our work also emphasizes relapse prevention, rebuilding self-efficacy, and fostering long-term recovery goals.

“It was a long and heavy day and I just need to break the edge.” “I communicate better after few drinks” “I can’t fall asleep if I don’t have my…” When a substance becomes a “priority”, or becomes overused, it begins to creep into and destroy an individual’s health, family, relationship and even work. The question becomes "Do I have control over it or does it have control over me?". Often substances are used as coping mechanism without realizing that it often creates even more anxiety and depression, leaving a person feeling more stress and low down the road. Feeling anxious without a "quick fix" or a “temporary Band-Aid” is a strong indicator that a person is or has lost control with the desired substance. In counselling, we work to support...(view profile to read more)

Addiction isn’t just about willpower—it’s about pain, patterns, and finding a way to cope. If you feel trapped in cycles of substance use or compulsive behaviors, I’m here to help you break free without shame or judgment. Together, we’ll uncover the underlying struggles fueling your addiction, develop healthier coping strategies, and build a life where you feel in control again. Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s take that first step together.

Having any kind of addiction places stress onto a person as well as his/her/they family and friends. As a clinical therapist, it is important to stress to the client that a person develops an addiction for a number of reasons, and that the identified addiction is a coping mechanism that was developed during a time of stress and emotional challenge. Providing an atmosphere of safety and acceptance is needed for a client to become vulnerable and to seek support. Addictions are both physical and physiological. Helping a person understand the nature and underlying needs that are being met is essential in the change process.

I use a type of therapy called EMDR for addiction. This stands for Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing. Originally used for PTSD, it is very effective against addictions. It is a short term therapy that can be extremely effective in very little time. We identify triggers or urges that emerge just before one uses and we reprocess them so they are no longer triggering!

Most of us have some form of addiction. Whether it be alcohol, pornography, drugs, shopping, gambling, eating or even love, these behaviours can enslave us. In therapy, we will identify that addiction, the reasons behind the addiction, the triggers and the payoff it provides in your life. You will learn about the cycle of addiction and recovery and relapse. I will give you tools and strategies to help you gain freedom from your addiction.

Nobody starts using because life is going brilliantly. At some point, the substance or behaviour was doing something useful. Numbing something. Calming something. Filling something that had gone quiet or hollow. The problem is it stops working, and by then it's hard to imagine what you'd do without it. In addiction counselling, we take that seriously. Rather than leading with the behaviour, we get curious about what it's been managing all this time. Shame tends to keep people stuck. Understanding tends to loosen things. Recovery starts to feel less like losing something and more like finding your way back to yourself.

I help individuals cope with addiction by aiming to understand the root cause of the addiction and how this is currently serving the individual by keeping them safe. Often individuals who have addictions have underlying issues such as anxiety, trauma, or mental health disorders. I work with individuals to identify their triggers and dysfunctional thought patterns and help modify their thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that lead to addiction. Therapy can help to improve coping skills to manage stress, recognize triggers, and navigate through challenging moments in recovery.

Addiction counselling with me involves taking the time to unpack the dynamics that contribute to coping through addiction. With me you can expect a non-judgmental space, and to move at a pace you are comfortable with. Together we will take a compassionate and curious approach, locating strengths and supports and practicing mindfulness to grow in a sense of agency in decision making.

Instead of viewing addiction as "bad" or something to get rid of, we'll look at the role addiction is playing in your life so that you can begin to develop a compassionate relationship with it. Addictions are very often protective mechanisms that help people numb, manage, and cope with overwhelming emotions, trauma, and stress. Understanding addiction in this light creates the conditions for healing the underlying traumas that are keeping us stuck in the addictive cycle. I'll help you develop new internal resources that will help you cope with cravings and triggers so you can make the shift from self-destructive behaviors to self-empowerment.

As is often said in AA, your very best thinking has gotten you here. In other words, it's time to let yourself have the outside support you need. It's time to do something different. An important part of my role in working with clients who have addictions is helping them conceptualize what recovery means: while sobriety and/or abstinence are goals - they are merely steps along the journey of recovery. That is, without doing the inner work of healing, sobriety and/or abstinence are short-lived. Learning to identify and process one’s emotions in healthy ways, as well as establishing/re-establishing relationships with others and with self, are some examples of what recovery work entails.

In addiction counseling, I support people wherever they are in their journey—whether considering change, working to reduce use, or committed to stopping completely. Addiction often masks underlying issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship problems, so we address both the addictive behavior and what's driving it. Using a non-judgmental, motivational approach, I help you clarify your goals and develop practical strategies that work for your life. We focus on the root issues keeping the cycle going and build sustainable change. Whether you're struggling with substances, gambling, or other compulsive behaviors, you'll find collaborative support without shame or pressure. Family members seeking assessment and guidance for a loved one are also welcome.

Are you tired of feeling like a substance has more control over your life than you do? You're drinking, drug use or other substance use may be affecting your relationships, your confidence, and the way you see yourself. You may know that you are capable of so much more, but struggle to access that part of yourself. I won't judge you or reduce you to your substance use/abuse or addiction. I'll meet you where you're at, and help you understand what's driving it, what you're trying to cope with or escape, and what keeps pulling you back. Together, we'll work toward healthier ways of dealing with what hurts, rebuilding trust in yourself, and creating more control in your life.

I have worked extensively with all forms of addiction for 22 years. Always at the root of any addiction is unresolved emotional wounding or trauma. I work to de-shame the addictive behaviour; understanding that it has been used as a resource to cope with deep emotional pain. I work on fostering self-compassion and offer deep healing of the core issues where the addiction began, each therapeutic response tailored to the uniqueness of each persons addictive behaviour. Through a combination of body centred psychotherapy, practical behavioural tools, and the use of outside supportive resources where needed, most addictions can be resolved or navigated so that one can thrive again in their life.

Often in life, stress, responsibility and unhappiness can lead to managing/medicating with a variety of substances; marijuana, alcohol, gambling, sex, internet, drugs, ect. This can lead to an unbalance in the usage of these substances, create a significant strain and negative affect on relationships, family, work and one self. We will work to uncover the motivating force that has driven to substance abuse and help to regain control. Through this work we will strive to regain a healthy and balanced life, free of addiction or dependency.

Real Solutions for Real Challenges Common Sense techniques. Short-Term & Cost Effective Most often addictions are a symptom of pain. hurt , and loss of some form. The addiction serves to reduce this pain and suffering. However, the affect is has on the individual is to make them feel out of control, guilty, lazy, and generally worse about themselves whin in turn drives them to seek more relief. This is often the downward spiral of the addiction cycle. Martin helps his clients reframe thier negative statements about themselves and then exposes the core beliefs that keep triggering their destructive and untrue beliefs about their whole character.

Addiction can affect every area of your life, from your physical health, mental health, emotional health, social life to your core values. I view addiction problems not through a lens of a lack of willpower, but through a lens of brain dysfunction and see that through brain training with Neurofeedback (NFB), processing with EMDR or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) there is a great potential for improvement.

The Orchard Recovery Center is a highly respected addiction recovery center— renowned for breaking the cycle of addiction and restoring hope and health to individuals, families and communities since 2002. The Orchard’s diverse and award winning staff will put your culture, family and values at the center of your recovery.

Do you wake up in the morning with a feeling of regret and remorse over how many glasses of wine you had, again? Are you struggling with a habit that you thought was temporary and now you find you can't walk away from. The realization that you may be struggling with an addiction may gradually unfold or a loved one may bring it to your attention. Often addiction arises from a need to 'take oneself away' from the rough spots on life or it may be a habit out of control. Whatever the background, together we will look at what has contributed to your desire for you habit, what is reinforcing it and get you back in the drivers seat of your life.

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.

My approach to addiction is multi-faceted and individually focused. Exploring personal history and trauma and grieving losses are often elements, as is reconnecting with the body and its wisdom. In many cases, developing one's spirituality is central to healing. I provide a safe environment for exploring and listening to the range of feelings that have been avoided through the addiction so that reconnection with self is restored and one's deepest longings can be satisfied.

As a counsellor with years of experience working with addiction and its effects on the family, I have the skills to help you gain insights, change your behaviours, heal your pain and recover a sense of wholeness for life. My goal is to help you find a way out of the bondage of self hate, shame, and pain that is often caused by living with addiction. I believe that with hard work, you can regain the hope that this disease steals.

There are many options available for addiction treatment. many people do not have time or resources for residential treatment for addictions. I am trained to work with people with addictions such as drug and alcohol, gambling, internet, sex addiction, and food. Addiction usually begins as a way of coping with stress and life challenges. As time progresses, the addiction becomes the main way of coping with difficulties. i help clients identify the problem areas of their lives, and learn healthier coping strategies to deal with difficult times. Addiction treatment begins with a willingness to change and hope for a more positive future.