Addiction Therapists in Clearview, ON.

Addictions stem from early experiences. Let's examine what happened in your life that has led you to the place you are. I practice psychotherapy which can help with uncovering the hidden motives behind your addictions and behaviours. From that place of understanding you can move forward to being free of the addiction and live the life you want to live without the burdens you have been carrying.

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.

I have significant experience working with alcohol, drug, internet, gambling and sex addictions. My goal is to help reduce the harm to you and others and to restore your sense of dignity and integrity, and your feelings of being in control of your own life. You are not require to completely stop your use forever in order to change or access therapy. These choices are yours.

If we do something repeatedly, that we would rather not do, then we have an addiction. The problem with addictions is that people get hurt. The addicted person may not recognize the seriousness of their situation, but eventually both the addict and their loved ones suffer tremendously in a state of helplessness. Many families have been destroyed from addictive behaviour such as substance addiction (drugs/alcohol), gambling, sexual addictions, gaming/internet addictions. A counsellor can help. Workshops, groups, individual or family counselling can assist in breaking the devastating cycle of addiction. Coping skills and emotional awareness to negotiate compelling urges and compulsive in

Approaches to addressing addictions really vary from one treatment setting to another. My approach focuses on helping people manage their addictions. Not everyone chooses abstinence, and not everyone needs to. In fact, for many problem drinkers learning to become a controlled drinker can offer a more sustainable way of living. I tend to work with people to help them manage their addictions in a way that is sustainable, and in a way that works for their personal situation.

My work in addictions take the approach that the addiction serves a purpose to the client and that without understanding the purpose, recovery is very difficult. We focus on strategies to manage/lessen/eliminate substance use while at the same exploring how substance use has served us - such as protecting us from uncomfortable feelings, or making us feel invincible, or bringing us a sense of control, to name a few.

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.

How many times have you beat yourself up for making the same mistakes over and over, only to repeat them time and time again? Addiction does deep psychological damage, and often has deep rooted causes. Together, we can figure out what these are and what exactly you need to do to finally achieve lasting change. I can promise you three things: it won't be easy, it won't be fast, but it will be worth it. Get down to earth, no-nonsense counselling in a completely non-judgemental atmosphere. Get the framework you need to understand your addictions and what to do about them. Get the tools you need to change and start feeling better.

"Not why the addiction? But why the pain!" -Gabor Mate Of course you use, everyone would do anything to block out pain even though we recognize that we are hurting our self further. I get that, and I get that you need support and a safe place to work on your plan for recovery. My life has been impacted by addiction. I provide that place to heal and overcome. I have completed a one year post Master's certificate in addiction and mental health at Durham College and worked in a residential treatment center. I know hat you are dealing with-You don't have to do it alone.

Addiction is often an attempt to cope with intolerable feelings. As humans, we use substances or behavioural addictions as a form of escape. Often they are pleasurable at first and then we become trapped. The goal of therapy is to understand what pain we are trying to numb and avoid. We must work through these experiences to truly overcome our addictions.

We all have patterns that take on a life of their own; drive us toward harm rather than good. Addiction is most usefully understood in this way. It can show up as a substance or behaviour that may merely draw our attention too often or dominate our waking hours. All addiction arises from attempts (conscious or not) to survive otherwise unbearable situations by distracting ourselves from thoughts or feelings that we become deeply afraid to face. Through increased awareness and understanding of what we are running from, building our resilience & developing skills to face those buried experiences, you can become whole again and get back in control of your choices.

As smart as we humans are, we can so easily fall into habits and addictions that defy reason and rationale, yet every habit is born from a positive intent. From my deep understanding of classical conditioning and behavioral change, I can help you to uncover the origins of your addiction and work to break free once and for all. I currently have a 90% success rate for smoking cessation using hypnosis using methods that are tailored specifically to each of my clients, since I truly believe that one size does not fit all. Are you ready to get the help you need?

"Addiction", whether it be over-using drugs, internet, sex, etc., is a means of seeking pleasure in order to mask difficult feelings and thoughts that you may be dealing with. Sometimes, the pain of difficult or traumatic experiences becomes so intense that we unknowingly turn to unhealthy means of gratification. It is my goal to collaboratively, delicately and thoughtfully explore the underlying reasons of your excessive use of drugs, internet, etc., and support the working through and acknowledgement of the feelings and thoughts associated with the underlying reasons. If you are persistent in obtaining health and a happier existence, you will experience healing and release from pain.

If we do something repeatedly, that we would rather not do, then we have an addiction. The problem with addictions is that people get hurt. The addicted person may not recognize the seriousness of their situation, but eventually both the addict and their loved ones suffer tremendously in a state of helplessness. Many families have been destroyed from addictive behaviour such as substance addiction (drugs/alcohol), gambling, sexual addictions, gaming/internet addictions. A counsellor can help. Workshops, groups, individual or family counselling can assist in breaking the devastating cycle of addiction. Coping skills and emotional awareness to negotiate compelling urges and compulsive in

With ample experience in the arena of addiction (especially Sexual Addiction), I can help you break the cycle that has hindered your path to health. You will gain self awareness in why you keep going back to the addiction even though you don't want to. You will learn to manage your triggers that kick off the addiction cycle so that you will make better choices.

Addiction is also used to explain the experience of withdrawal when a substance or behaviour i.e. gambling is stopped. However, experiencing enjoyment or going through withdrawal do not in themselves mean a person has an addiction. Because the term “addiction” is commonly used in such a vague way, there have been many attempts to define it more clearly. The definition used here refers to problematic use of a substance such as alcohol.One simple way of describing addiction is the presence of the 4 Cs: -Craving -loss of Control -Compulsion to use -use despite Consequences

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

Addictions can be difficult to overcome. You may likely experience positive feelings related to the addiction, which adds to the difficulty in letting them go. I will help you to develop motivation for change (if required) and will work with you develop healthy coping skills so that you feel less in need of the addiction you may be using. I will work with you collaboratively and listen attentively to your experiences so that this may inform how I work with you.

Addiction can occur with many substances and activities - alcohol, street drugs, prescription drugs, caffeine, food, porn, sex, gambling, Together, we will gain insight into the root of your addiction and the purpose it has served in your life. I will provide us with the compassionate and supportive dynamic essential to your journey of creating the life experience you desire.

Addictions grip both the mind and the body in ways that feel unrelenting. When caught up in the cycle, it may seem like recovery is out of reach. However, in the comfort of a caring, empathetic, non- judgmental therapist who understands the link between your brain and addictive behaviours, new patterns and routines of adaptive living can be enabled. As a therapist who embodies these qualities and is knowledgeable in replacing old habits with ones that will enrich your life, my goal is to assist you every step of the way in ensuring this is the reward for your commitment.

In my approach to addictions I work with clients to understand how the addiction may be helping them to cope and help them to learn alternate healthy coping mechanisms. Addressing related underlying issues may also be important in helping clients to leave the addiction behind. Although clients often find it difficult to let go of the addiction, they slowly feel ready as they begin to take steps and have more positive life experiences, which are also explored during therapy. Client strengths, motivations, hopes, and values are also considered and through these approaches clients begin to feel safe, satisfied, and happy living their life without the addiction.

Addiction can have a tremendous impact on an individuals sense of self and other, as well as the relationship between a couple. The addiction may feel like the other "person" within your personal life, or perhaps the life of your marriage or relationship. You have decided you'd like to see what it feels like to seek support. We come into therapy with complex stories and experiences, and there is no "one size fits all". Emotionally Focused Therapy works with the couple to address underlying needs and offers a map for moving forward. For individuals, we will collaborate together and use an integrative approach that you feel comfortable and safe with to begin your journey.

Dealing with addictions can be an emotional strain for ourselves or on our loved ones. In therapy, we aim to target the emotional underlying factors that contribute to addictions. We understand that while the addiction is seen as problematic, we often use the addiction as our unhealthy solution to our existing emotional problems. I use several strategies to change your behaviour and attitude towards addiction.

Many research studies have confirmed that addictive behaviors are usually caused by underlying feelings of anxiety. In other words, if you have developed an addictive behavior (i. gambling, substance dependency, etc), there is great likelihood that you experience excess feelings of worry and anxiety. Psychotherapy can specifically offer you strategies to manage the addictive behavior while helping reduce the feelings of anxiety that fuel and perpetuate the addictive behavior. Typically therapeutic modalities that help anxiety management (Mindfulness stress reduction, EMDR) have promising effects on treating various types of addiction.

Addictive behaviours may feel like comfort to the vacuum left by aloneness or detachment. The feeling of aloneness can start early. Children require a lot of emotional interaction to develop trust that their needs for support and caring will be met. If they don’t experience positive attachments, they may turn their needs for love and caring into physical cravings, which are easier to fill, and develop relationships with their addictions because they're more in control of them than those they look to for love and attention. I create a therapeutic environment in which individuals can deepen their understanding of their feelings and learn to trust their inner resources to connect with others.