Addiction Therapists in Murrayville, BC.

In addictions counseling, I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where clients can explore the underlying causes of substance use or addictive behaviors while learning practical strategies for recovery. Using evidence-based approaches, I help clients identify triggers, develop coping skills, and build healthier habits to support lasting change. Clients benefit by gaining increased self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, and stronger resilience, which empowers them to break harmful patterns, rebuild relationships, and create a balanced, fulfilling life free from the constraints of addiction.

I consider myself an expert in addiction therapy. My focus is not the addictive substance or activity. I focus on the root cause for why you engage in the various activities for the purpose of self-medication. As we flesh out the emotional and traumatic scars from past life events, you will find that your desire to self-medicate reduces significantly.

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.

Addiction is the symptom of the core issue. People who suffer with addiction often feel out of control, fractured, chaotic, and suffer guilt, shame, embarrassment, anger, and mental health issues. They often miss work or have relationship breakdowns. I work with people from a completely non-judgemental basis. Treating the whole person is essential to attaining a long lasting healthy life.

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for addiction treatment. Through this approach we will look for connections between the thoughts, feelings and actions for clients and how this is impacting on their recovery. We will go over if there are other co-occurring disorders as well such as anxiety or depression. We will go over tracking the urges weekly and go over distress tolerance skills and mindfulness skills in practicing to not act on the urges that do come up.

In line with Gabor Mate, I am convinced that all addiction is rooted in pain, and this overwhelming pain is connected to unhealed trauma. I believe that addiction is a treatable condition, and that everyone has the capacity for healing and growth. Since trauma is an emotional wound/injury, true healing can only occur within contexts that provide corrective emotional experiences that will produce positive brain change.This is why therapy can be so powerful. A skilled therapist helps clients get back in touch with themselves, which results in recovery.

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.

Addiction doesn't happen in isolation, nor does the recovery process. For those who are struggling with addiction, I work by helping you find yourself again through connection with others, whether it's the counselling relationship, AA, support or religious groups. Ideally, addiction is an inherent desire to feel connected to something or someone, regardless of the intensity and frequency of the behaviour. A trauma-informed approach helps address addiction by recognizing that substance use often develops as a coping strategy for unresolved trauma. By creating safety, fostering trust, and helping clients process underlying pain rather than just symptoms, this approach supports lasting healing.

Working with addiction, I focus on cultivating awareness of triggers and cravings without judgment. I teach mindfulness practices like meditation to help clients observe their thoughts and sensations. This awareness helps them break automatic patterns and make conscious choices, reducing relapse risk and promoting self-compassion. Mindfulness empowers clients to manage urges skillfully and build a healthier relationship with themselves and their behaviors.

Has an addiction to sex, porn, alcohol, drugs, or any other addiction caused problems in your life? Has an addiction caused problems in your relationship or your family? If so, my counselling approach can bring understanding of the reasons of your addiction and ways you can manage issues more effectively. We will discuss your unique situation and address underlying causes of the addiction and offer solutions to get your life back on track and live a more fulfilled and happy life.

Recovering from addiction is an greater process then just abstaining from a particular substance. Developing an awareness about the triggering issues that fuel the addiction is key towards developing the strength and skills that will propel you forward in living sober. I approach addictions from a perspective that develops positive skills and thoughts patterns to over come the triggers to use such as: anxiety, depression, trauma, and negative thought patterns, and self-medication. In addition, it is important to remember that with addiction partners, family, and friends are also affected. Working to rebuild bridges in this area, without demotivating or creating conflict is key.

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.

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.