Addiction Therapists in Sun Peaks, BC.

The question is not "why the addiction but why the pain" - Gabor Mate. Addiction is rooted in human suffering and complex social problems. Drawing on the work of Gabor Mate, Narrative Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy, and Response-Based practice, I will begin to address the pain and suffering experienced by individuals and families. We will also exploring the social context the contributes to an addiction culture. One of the goals is to start to separate the person from the addiction. Each individual is so much more than the addiction they experience.

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.

As a Trauma Counsellor, I am available to provide counselling support that will help you explore and discover the areas in your life that led to your addiction. I can also support you as you take the steps to protect and rebuild those relationships that were damaged as a result of your addiction. I use cognitive behaviour therapy as well as expressive art therapy in a very individualized plan toward reaching your goal of a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Addiction is often about more than the substance or behaviour itself. It can become a way of coping with stress, emotional pain, disconnection, or experiences that feel difficult to manage. In counselling, we explore what may be driving the pattern beneath the surface, without judgment or shame. Together, we'll build greater self-awareness, identify healthier ways to respond to challenges, and strengthen your ability to make choices that align with the life you want to create. The goal is not just reducing harmful behaviours, but developing a more connected and sustainable relationship with yourself.

I provide specialized support for individuals in recovering from addiction, recognizing that true healing extends far beyond abstinence. We'll address the underlying trauma, emotional patterns, and nervous system dysregulation that may have contributed to addictive behaviours, while strengthening your connection to your innate resources for healing. Using a trauma-informed approach, I help you develop sustainable self-regulation skills, process unresolved emotional material and cultivate a deeper relationship with yourself based on self-compassion.

I have extensive experience helping others overcome an addiction, understand and cope with anxiety and depression I believe the client/ counsellor rapport is important when seeking help. It will establish a healthy relationship in which a person will get the best care. I will provide my clients with the necessary skills, knowledge, and opportunities to become responsible citizens.

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.

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.

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.

Chronic Illness and pain often go hand in hand with an increased need for medication or substances to effectively handle symptoms. In our sessions we use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to assist you to relate to your pain and symptoms in a new way. You will learn to drop the struggle against what is here (acceptance), find ways to become grounded and present in the moment, and then learn to create a rich and meaningful life alongside your challenges.

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 deeply, and understand what your behaviour has been protecting. Healing begins with safety, honesty, and connection. If you’re ready to do the work, be honest with yourself, and reclaim your freedom, I’m here to walk with you.

AaxXa

Ferne uses what model fits the client with their addiction. There is the harm reduction approach and disease model. She will help develop a treatment plan that address relapse, relapse prevention, support, triggers to your addiction. She will help you replace the addictive coping skills with healthy coping skills. She can also help you find out if you have an addiction. Family of origin issues are also addressed.