Addiction Therapists in Lions Bay, BC.

Addiction counseling provides a holistic approach to supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorders and their loved ones. A safe and non-judgmental therapeutic relationship is used to explore the underlying causes of addiction, address co-occurring mental health issues, and develop personalized recovery plans. Additionally, counseling helps loved ones understand addiction as a complex disease and offers guidance on setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and fostering healthy communication within the family system. Through education, empathy, and ongoing support, addiction counseling empowers individuals and their loved ones to navigate challenges.

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!

I have worked in a number of treatment centres and I am able to help clients face the fear of not having their addiction to deal with life's difficult times and the subsequent emotions . I work with clients struggling with addictions to the internet, gambling, shopping, drugs and alcohol, exercise and work. By looking at the purpose/reason behind the addictive or compulsive behaviour the client is able to begin to resolve their relationship with their addiction and to be free!!

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.

I am adept at support clients in finding the root of their addiction whether it be trauma or challenges with emotional regulation. Addictive behaviour always makes sense. Unfortunately, there is still so much shame, judgement and misunderstanding when it comes to addiction. I will help you make sense of your addictive behaviour and achieve freedom.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.