Addiction Therapists in Oliver, BC.

Feeling stuck and ready for a change? Not sure how to start? I have supported people of all ages to identify patterns in their lives that negatively impact their quality of life and their relationships. If you feel pushed around by addiction, I'd be happy to help you learn how to change your relationship with: substances, compulsive internet use or gaming, impulsive spending, unhealthy eating. smoking and/or attraction to toxic relationships so that you may take your power back and live the life you really want to live.

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.

Having focused on addictions and mental illness in her master's program, working outpatient addictions and inpatient psychiatry at Interior Health and with youth in a residential addiction center means addictions and mental health are an area of expertise for Sheila. Trauma informed care is at the heart of finding freedom from addiction and intervetions are designed specifically to the individual's needs.

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.

Addiction isn’t the problem — it’s the solution your nervous system found to survive. In my counselling practice, I offer a compassionate, trauma-informed space to explore the pain beneath the pattern. Together, we slow down, listen to the body, and understand what your behaviour has been protecting. Healing begins with safety, honesty, and connection. If you’re ready to meet your story with gentleness and reclaim your freedom, I’m here to walk with you.

Addictions are a coping strategy gone wrong. In the beginning, using may have helped to numb the underlying emotional pain, but over time it created a new set of problems that only added to the pain, including financial problems, loss of important relationships, and problems at work. 'Triggers' are those precipitating events that give rise to cravings to use. A common trigger is emotions, especially painful emotions that are seen as unbearable so our first reaction is to do something - anything - to avoid feeling those emotions. A key step in recovery is learning to cope with emotions in healthier ways. I can help you gain the skills you need to prevent relapse and live a fuller life.

“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)

Working through addiction can be a raw and difficult process, that often reveals the pain that the addiction was helping to disguise. My approach to treating addiction applies cognitive awareness and mindfulness strategies to managing and reducing addictive tendencies and impulses. Addiction tends to thrive in isolation, so having a guide to help anticipate the struggle of addiction, identify and exercise strategies that are clinically effective in relief of addiction, and trauma.

Clients with addiction issues will benefit from seeing a counsellor. Whether you are ready to make the change or just wanting education, we can assist you. We use motivational therapy and harm reduction techniques. Addiction assessments are available. Additionally, we offer training and support to families with a member who is dealing with an addiction.

Addiction is a growing problem in our today's life. But the addiction is one way that our mind has, to try to fix a trauma or to deal with an unidentified pain that your mind is registering as a real treat to your integrity. We can work to begin to find and heal that pain. It Is a journey, is not a fast process, but it is worth to walk the self-discovery path.