Addiction Therapists in West Point Grey, BC.

I've worked in Addiction for many years at treatment centres and in corrections. I'm well versed in the 12-steps approach and will apply this approach only when a client is interested and open to this. The 12-steps approach is not for everyone and so I also provide alternative ways to overcome or reduce one's addiction. Treatment of addiction starts with identifying one's triggers and then goes into alternative coping strategies that are proven to be effective. Time is also spent on examining the source of one's addiction so that change can happen more deeply. I view addiction as a symptom of a larger problem and believe if we mend the larger problem, the addiction will decrease.

If we all arrived on earth with an owners manual, it would be far easier to discover the most adaptable ways to cope with the onslaught of challenges we face as we grow and develop. But, we stumble along, often grabbing at crutches that soothe us for a while, but end up bringing us to our knees. My role in addiction recovery is helping you find positive soothing habits, helping you learn how regulate your emotions so that soothing is needed less on the whole, and helping you stay connected to your needs so that you remain in the drivers seat.

There are many forms of addiction (ie., drug, alcohol, work, food, gambling, exercise, work). Many people find self help groups that follow the 12 step program helpful. Other people like to take a more personal form of support around their addiction issues. In that case, individual counselling can be helpful. The counselling I provide for clients with addiction issues is to help them set specific reachable goals. Coming to regular counselling appointments seem to help clients set up a personal accountability tool for themselves. Reaching goals can be celebrated and setbacks examined to determine how to move forward again with success.

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.

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!

As is often said in AA, your very best thinking has gotten you here. In other words, it's time to let yourself have the outside support you need. It's time to do something different. An important part of my role in working with clients who have addictions is helping them conceptualize what recovery means: while sobriety and/or abstinence are goals - they are merely steps along the journey of recovery. That is, without doing the inner work of healing, sobriety and/or abstinence are short-lived. Learning to identify and process one’s emotions in healthy ways, as well as establishing/re-establishing relationships with others and with self, are some examples of what recovery work entails.

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.

Do you feel that your drinking is stopping you from living the life you've dreamed of? Are you tired waking up with a pounding headache, dragging yourself out of bed thinking, “why did I do that?" Does a couple of drinks end up being a runaway train? Do you worry that if an emergency happened, you won’t be in proper shape to help your loved ones? Are you sick and tired of having your life revolve around alcohol? If you answered yes to any of the above, counselling can help. With powerful techniques, accountability, and genuine warmth, I help clients fully understand and master their drinking habits - so they can finally have the robust health, career, and relationships they deserve.

Stuck in a rut? Trying to get out, but don't know how? Don't like AA? Let me help you unshackle yourself from that annoying addiction. Personalized help, skill building, and non-judgemental support in overcoming an addiction. Call 604-657-9534 now if you are ready to take a step into the first day of the rest of your life.

My approach to addiction is multi-faceted and individually focused. Exploring personal history and trauma and grieving losses are often elements, as is reconnecting with the body and its wisdom. In many cases, developing one's spirituality is central to healing. I provide a safe environment for exploring and listening to the range of feelings that have been avoided through the addiction so that reconnection with self is restored and one's deepest longings can be satisfied.

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.

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!!

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.

We employ addiction counseling as a specialized form of therapy to support clients in their journey toward overcoming addictive behaviors and fostering self-acceptance. Addiction counseling provides a compassionate and non-judgmental space for clients to explore and understand the underlying factors contributing to their addictive behaviors. Our skilled counselors employ evidence-based approaches such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and relapse prevention strategies to guide individuals in gaining insight into their addictive patterns, identifying triggers, and developing effective coping strategies.

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.

There is an interesting connection between trauma and addictions. When events or situations are perceived as life threatening or overwhelming (even though this might not be a conscious realization), the response to such overwhelming pain is logically to self-medicate. Treating addictions requires gently addressing how clients manage emotional, physical, and mental pain and sensitively building resources to find better coping strategies while healing old wounds.

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.

Do you wake up in the morning with a feeling of regret and remorse over how many glasses of wine you had, again? Are you struggling with a habit that you thought was temporary and now you find you can't walk away from. The realization that you may be struggling with an addiction may gradually unfold or a loved one may bring it to your attention. Often addiction arises from a need to 'take oneself away' from the rough spots on life or it may be a habit out of control. Whatever the background, together we will look at what has contributed to your desire for you habit, what is reinforcing it and get you back in the drivers seat of your life.

I worked for many years for a retreat centre and I have seen and worked with many addicts. I think that it is essential that someone suffering from an addiction is wanting help and change for themselves. I help the person with an addiction look at what negative core beliefs created the addiction in the first place.There are many types of addictions and although some take the form of alcohol or drugs, the most insidious are the emotional addictions. Understanding the "pay off" for the addiction is an important component for wanting change. It can also be helpful to work with then family members of an addict to help them understand what they can do to help their family member.

I will work with you in finding detox and treatment suited to your needs. I will work with you to address the underlying issues which may have contributed to the addiction, such as unhealed trauma and loss, broken attachments, relationship issues and family disruption. I work with adult children of alcoholics to address the impact of growing up in a family affected by addiction.

While I do not work with people struggling with addictions, I provide support and guidance for members of their families. Often as the spouse, parent or sibling of someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction we find our own lives spinning out of control. We find ourselves enabling and rescuing - hating that we do and yet not knowing how else to respond to the chaos. Counselling can help to reestablish a sense of stability and clarity about next steps. A counselling session for individuals, parents or all family members can provide perspective, guidance and skills to help family members make choices and take actions that are helpful for themselves and often for the one in addiction.

Whether you want to cut back or are seeking total abstinence, I will support you. Together we will come up with a plan detailing your goals and ways of getting there and discuss reintegrating meaning in your life. Addictions can crowd out everything else that was once important to you; counselling can help you reclaim things you have lost or identify and pursue new avenues. We will also pursue practical strategies for maintaining your gains and things to do to get “back on the horse” when you slip. Acceptance, kindness and collaboration are key features in my counselling style. I will never add judgement to the mix; chances are, you do enough of this already. Self compassion is key.

Substance use issues can be incredibly challenging to overcome, particularly if they are linked to underlying issues like trauma, grief, depression, or anxiety. However, there are a number of evidence-based therapeutic approaches that can help individuals who are struggling with substance use. Two of these approaches include Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I use these approaches, along with others, which can help you overcome your substance use issues.

Whether you are struggling with an addiction such as alcohol or drug abuse, video gaming addiction, shopping addiction, gambling, ecc, most likely life is an emotional roller coaster for you AND the person who loves you. Addiction recovery is not about willpower but about identifying the underlying causes of your addiction OR your enabling behaviour and finding appropriate coping mechanisms to deal with stress and emotional overwhelm in healthy ways. As a certified Addiction Counsellor I specialize in working with LOVED ONES of addicts as well as the individual struggling with addiction using a blend of somatic and cognitive psychotherapy which has proven to be extremely effective.

Have you ever had fresh baking in the house that were saving for Christmas or some other celebration? You had to stop yourself from eating it. How it called your name while you were watching TV, or sent visions of sugar plums dancing in your head while you were hungry cooking dinner? Well that is a small snap shot of the feeling of addiction. Having such a strong compelling desire to experience the rewarding outcome, regardless of how short-lived it might be. Well not all compulsions ( or addictions) are only as dangerous and life changing as a 5 lb weight gain encountered by January 2. Some addictions can own us to the point that there is nothing left of who we really are, or were.