Addiction Therapists in Qualicum Beach, BC.

Addiction is the symptom of others issues. People abuse substances for a variety of reasons such as: to supress pain, to feel more confident, and to deal with an unresolved trauma. Addiction often spirals out of control, results in feelings of guilt and despair; as well as alienates the user from her or his family and friends. However, addiction can be overcome. Relationships can be repaired. I offer professional support to both the person facing addiction and their family to learn strategies to deal with the underlying issues, set boundaries, and develop skills to address your own or your loved ones substance abuse.

Addiction or problematic substance use can have a profound impact on relationships, creating conflict, broken trust, worry, resentment and emotional distance. While I don’t provide addiction treatment or substance-use counselling, I work with individuals and couples when alcohol, drugs or other addictive behaviors are affecting their relationship. We can explore the impact on both partners, patterns that have developed around the problem, boundaries, communication and rebuilding trust. My focus is on helping you understand what is happening in the relationship and find healthier ways of responding to each other while appropriate addiction treatment is addressed separately when needed.

I work with clients who use substances at various stages of the change process from pre-contemplation to in long-term recovery. Whether you need help determining your motivation for change, building a healthier life for yourself or processing the experiences that led to or maintained the addiction, we can work together to take steps in the direction you want to go.

Addiction is usually the outcome of an injury or incident in our life. The trauma of the event seeks relief or soothing through behaviors to douse the pain like a firefighter who puts out a flame. The relief or soothing is limited in the success and the behavior becomes a habit which takes on a life of its own. James will help you address the trauma which brought on the addiction whether it is a substance or behavior so that you are free to give yourself to what is a beautiful and bright future one step at a time.

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.

Addictions can take many forms such as substance use (alcohol and drugs) or behavioural addictions like eating or gambling. The addictive behaviours can be seen on a spectrum that ranges in severity of the issues depending on the person and their unique situation. The client that seeks support for their addictive behaviours is taking a courageous step forward to be ready to learn about their addictive behaviours. The client always sets the pace as to what they would like to achieve in the sessions and what (if anything) they want to do anything to create change in their 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.

“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)

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.

When I worked in addiction treatment centres, I found that addiction was not the problem but the solution. I like to explore what is happening prior to the addiction and why a person feels like this is the best solution. I aim to make it non-judgmental, explore honest challenges, and find ways to bring SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Oriented) goals. I believe addiction doesn't 'just happen' but is a solution to a problem that needs to be addressed in a better way.

Addiction is now seen as being a chronic disease. Its been found that brain circuitry is affected by the disease whereby the drive for reward and gratification leads to a clouding of judgement. Previous memory as to costs of the problem behaviour is overlooked and poor choices are made. Good intervention practice includes addressing the behaviour "cycle" and identifying points of intervention within the cycle. This is commonly known as relapse prevention. With an extensive background and training in relapse prevention and working in private practice for 17 years, I can help develop a workable relapse plan irregardless of the addiction (substance use, gaming, gambling, internet porn etc.)

Addictive and compulsive behaviours are often attempts to regulate overwhelming emotion, disconnection, or inner conflict. Rather than focusing only on stopping behaviours, therapy can explore what the pattern is responding to or protecting. I work with addiction in a way that emphasizes understanding, responsibility, and containment, helping clients make sense of the forces driving compulsive use while developing greater steadiness and choice over time. This approach supports meaningful change without shame, pressure, or oversimplification.