Addiction Therapists in Belleville, ON.

My belief is that all addiction is a distortion of connection with our wholeness. Some describe it as a spiritual disorder with a core of emptiness at the source. Whatever the conceptualization, there is always biopsychosocial involvement so my approach is holistic and will depend on a client's readiness, or in what stage of change a client presents. The treatment approach can range from utilizing harm reduction strategies, deeper psychodynamic work to resolve long standing wounds, family-based interventions or cognitive behavioural approaches. Cravings and compulsions can often be alleviated via the use of self-applied acupressure and/or hypnosis. EMDR may also be helpful.

My approach to counselling is attachment based and trauma informed. I have extensive training in emotionally focused therapy, the gold standard in couple's therapy, which I apply in my work with couples, families, and individuals. Addiction often isolates us and keeps us from forming meaningful and intimate relationships with those most important to us. During our sessions I will be engaged and focused on helping you to make the positive changes you are looking to make and helping you to build stronger and more authentic relationships.

Substance use can often feel like the only effective way of coping with traumatic events or challenging life circumstances. I believe that therapy should open space for clients to discuss their experience with substance use and what purpose this serves in their lives. I take a de-pathologizing stance and work collaboratively with clients to explore what substance use means to them and see how this fits with their ideas and hopes for their life and future. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure we are a good fit.

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.

Addictions can appear in many forms including substance addictions, internet addiction, sex addiction, gambling addiction, shopping addiction, pornography, social media, excessive exercise, food, etc. Strong cravings with a loss of control can lead people to become addicted in spite of possible dire consequences. Counselling is one of several possible treatments available for addictions. Individual, group and family therapies have been found to be helpful in order to inform a client regarding the harmful effects the addiction may have on themselves, their friends, family and society. Promoting physical, emotional and spiritual well being is often critical for the rehabilitation process.

We are social beings who thrive when we feel connected to others. When we are unable to connect with our loved ones, we feel painful disconnection. These feelings of disconnection can lead us to explore other strategies to feel good, even temporarily. The use of substances or addictive behaviours can temporarily reduce our feelings of emotional and physical pain while increasing our sense of pleasurable feelings. Because it is temporary, we must continue to engage in these addictive practices to cope with feeling disconnected, and our use becomes more problematic and destructive. Together, we will explore the disconnection that is driving the addictive behaviour.