Addiction Therapists in Bradford West Gwillimbury, ON.

Research has shown that addictions are caused by lack of connection and trauma. Through proven CBT methods and strategies, clients issues can be addressed. Whether it be alcohol, substance abuse, sex, internet or gambling addiction, CBT techniques and methods are particularly effective. Seeking Safety Coping Skills are also used as an effective tool in the immediate short term.

Along with a more conventional form of therapy for addictions, I will also focus on the cause of addictive behavior and will utilize less conventional methods of ferreting out the conditions, criteria, and even purpose (how does addictive behavior benefit you?) behind the behavior. Addictions are a complicated issue, and the more the client understands the deeply rooted causes of their behavior the better chance he or she may have in controlling the condition. It isn't just about stopping the behavior but discovering the meaning behind the choices being made.

In order to understand addictions, we have to first understand that it is a symptom of a much larger issue. By working with me through their addiction, clients often find that they get to the root of the issue that may be causing relapses or active addictions. Clients often develop new ways to cope with what is going on around them and begin to understand certain aspects of themselves that maintains the addiction cycle. Once they discover these aspects and reprocess certain memories, living in recovery becomes much more attainable.

We can get adicted to anything that makes us feel good! Especially living in an "addictively oriented" society, it is easy for anyone to become addicted to a variety of things, like substances, relationships, processes, etc. I help people understand the process of addictions, and together we can work to overcome both the addiction itself, as well as learning to deal with the usually very human desires which are feeding it. The goal is to be able to life with, or through, the good and the bad without getting stuck in unhelpful ways of coping with life's challenges.

Addiction brings pain and chaos individuals, couples and families. I see addictions as poor and destructive coping mechanisms and work with individuals and couples to interrupt the behavior and work to process the pain underlying the behavior. I am very familiar with 12 step programs and CSAT work that help individuals and couples make sense out of the addiction. I also work within a complementary framework of attachment and the importance of strong close inter-dependent, not co-dependent relationships with the most important people in one's life, family. Call me for a consult about your particular needs and situation.

Often when we encounter the pain from trauma or stress we numb or avoid with substances as it feels intolerable to feel and face it. We do this for good reason. This is how we were wired for protection from threat. At some point along the way we begin to realize that these responses may have helped us in the past when we were in survival mode but they are no longer serving us. We can learn to be grateful for our protective parts that helped us when we needed them. These behaviors helped keep pain at a distance so we could function. Now we realize we are no longer in the wilderness being chased by a tiger. We can learn to confront pain, tolerate distress and explore new ways of living.