Addiction Therapists in Alberton, ON.

Learning to process emotions is a key component to addiction recovery. Getting in touch with your emotions, learning what your emotions are telling you, and how to manage and meet your needs in healthy ways is essential to staying free from addictions. Addictions often cover up unprocessed pain that needs attending to. We have therapists that can help you on our journey to living free from addiction.

Addiction often overtakes whole lives and keeps its victims in captivity taking away the joy and freedom. I work with you and support you to fight it off and rebuild your life. You develop skills to effectively cope with cravings, how to go through your emotions during rough time with no judgement, and keep moving forward towards healing the relationship you have with yourself and the relationships with the close ones and begin to savor the taste of life, free of addiction.

Having an addiction is not a sign of weakness or lack of character. In fact, reaching out for help and being open to change takes a great deal of strength. My approach is one of openness and non-judgment. I follow a harm reduction approach meaning that I respect my clients right to set their own goals which will then guide our sessions. I appreciate that not everyone is ready to, nor wants to, work towards full sobriety. Harm reduction is about reducing the negative impact that substance use has on that person’s well-being and life. I strongly believe that any positive change is a success. If you think that my approach would work for you, please book a free consultation.

While I do not offer specialized addiction counselling, I do work with clients who present with addiction issues that are causing challenges in their relationships. I offer clients information about addiction, including common signs and symptoms, potential consequences, and available treatment options so that they can better understand their struggles and feel motivate to seek specialized help. I provide a supportive environment, acknowledge clients' challenges and validate their experiences without judgment.

Sex addiction is one of the hardest addictions to treat because it’s not about avoiding/quitting the “poison”, rather, managing sexual desire in the right context. And since it’s based in shame, internal discomfort & self-loathing, approaching it from a moral judgment standpoint only exacerbates the problem. As such, I conduct the treatment process from a place of understanding, so the client can reach in their darkest places to identify triggers and we can address them – the process also works with porn addiction. I take a multi-prong approach – identifying & treating root causes, eliminating the addictive cycle, replacing it with constructive ways of self-soothing, and building self-esteem

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy has been adapted to show benefits with addictions. A primary focus with DBT is noting that unwanted thoughts and behaviors are learned and reinforced. Our sessions will aim to identify and break the negative reinforcement cycle. This approach uses counselling and builds skills that aims to increase feelings of control over dangerous behaviors, experience feelings without avoidance or escape, rebuilding skills for common problems, and finding a sense of connection in the world to move towards happiness.

Addiction comes in many packages. Many people who suffer from addiction may suffer from multiple layers of addiction. Addiction is a condition in which a person engages in the use of a substance or in a behavior for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeatedly pursue the behavior despite detrimental consequences. Because addiction affects the brain’s executive functions, individuals who develop an addiction may not be aware that their behavior is causing problems for themselves and others. Over time, pursuit of the pleasurable effects of the substance or behavior may dominate an individual’s activities. In some cases a referral may be made.

Addiction is a very complex issue, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the impacts of addiction are far reaching. While there are many factors that contribute to addictions, it is imperative to learn about emotional regulation in order to learn how to manage them. Individuals struggling with addictions find themselves in a continuous viscous cycle fighting uncomfortable emotions. Individuals continue with addictions because drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. provide immediate and temporary relief from their environment and their painful emotions. My focus with addiction counselling is teaching emotional regulation and behavioural modification strategies.

Whether you’re struggling with addiction yourself or supporting someone who is, therapy with me offers a safe, compassionate space to explore the deeper “why” behind it. Together, we turn toward the addiction using a biopsychosocial lens that considers the emotional, physical, relational, and systemic factors at play. Through curiosity and compassion, we work to understand the origin of the addiction and its role in trying to soothe or protect. This process invites empowerment, healing, and self-connection. Recovery is possible, and taking this step is an act of bravery toward reclaiming your story, your strength, and your sense of self.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I know what it is like to be an addict. I have been in recovery from my addiction for several years now. I am also an international expert in this field. My American textbook called “Addictions Counseling Today: Substances and Addictive Behaviors” was published recently. I have been a practicing psychologist since 1986. If you need a competent psychologist, book now at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

My approach to addiction is not about managing cravings or enforcing control. Addiction is the visible symptom of a deeper fracture — disconnection from self, others, and the sacred. It is a response to unresolved trauma, attachment injuries, and existential pain. Our work is not about behavior management but about restoring right relationship — with your own inner life, with the wounds that shaped you, and with the possibility of living in a way that no longer requires the addiction to survive.

We have years of experience with addictions and mental health issues. Some of our therapists are recovering addicts and truly get it on a personal level. We also support clients in other areas of addiction such as food addiction, shopping, gaming, gambling and sexual behaviours. It takes great courage to be honest and face our addictions. We believe we are capable to help our clients through the therapy process and can support their needs.

There are many forms of addiction. Understanding what addiction is and how it affects day to day life is a necessary part of the recovery process. Unfortunately it can affect work and relationships. Many times it negatively impacts health. Making a decision to get help is important as accountability is a key component to recovery and healing. Therapy can provide tools for coping as well as learning to deal with the challenges one faces living with addiction.