Addiction Therapists in Clearview, ON.

It is very difficult, and it is a process, to make the changes necessary to stop abusing substances or performing an addictive behaviour e.g. gambling. Often there is a misconception that the difficulty in quitting has something to do with moral character or willpower, but nothing could be further from the truth. By the time a substance or behaviour becomes a problem in someone’s life there have been changes in the brain and body that make quitting a complex process. Through exploring the role the substance/behaviour originally played in the life of the individual, the underlying issue creating the feelings the substance/behaviour “soothes” can be determined and a new coping skill learned.

Is there a substance or activity that is getting in the way of your happiness? Are others around you expressing concern? Are your relationships, work, or health starting to suffer? I would like to help. Simply stopping using substances or addictive behaviours isn't enough. Together we will find solutions to help you to create new patterns of coping that you can feel good about and help to get you more of what you want from your life.

Clients benefit by learning to identify and manage triggers for use, by finding new strategies for dealing with cravings, urges, thoughts, feelings, people, places, and things. Underlying reasons for use can be explored so that clients can better understand the dynamics of their use. Stabilization is achieved by working on goals for use and on maintaining these goals. Slips and relapses are treated as opportunities to learn and grow. A Harm Reduction model is used. Client and therapist work together in this caring non-judgmental space to identify the stage of change and to increase motivation for a healthy life. Clients benefit from learning how to reach out to others for support.

I have had extensive experience working in front-line settings such as Vancouver’s Downtown East Side in the addictions field and have become highly familiar working with both abstinence-based and harm-reduction approaches to addiction and concurrent mental health concerns. It’s important to me that my approach is client-centred, meaning that I work from the individual client’s goals and degree of readiness. My therapeutic approach integrates mindfulness, CBT, the Stages of Change Model, and trauma counselling. I also help clients explore the underlying factors contributing to the addictive behaviours and teach alternative coping strategies in order to promote lasting change.

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 is a complex disease, often chronic in nature, which affects the functioning of the brain and body. It often comes with some serious ramification on families, relationships, education, employments to name a few. The most common symptoms of addiction are severe loss of control, continued use despite serious ramifications, preoccupation with using, failed attempts to quit, tolerance and withdrawal. Addiction can be effectively prevented, treated and managed with the help of a professional coach combined with family and peer support. Research and experience have shown that sustained change takes time and practice to create a lasting abstinence. As a coach, I help clients figure out the steps required to reach their desired outcome, while...(view profile to read more)

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.

Addiction impacts mental and physical health and can deteriorate relationships and your overall quality of life. Working together, I can help you manage your addiction and understand and contain the distress that causes this behaviour in the first place. The use of a strengths based, harm reduction approach, incorporating Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Breif Therapy (SFBT), and Humanistic strategies, I can help you to understand the origins of your addiction and help you cultivate insight about your triggers and help you harness your inner strengths to master your emotions and increase your self-esteem.

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.

Addiction meets an inner need, it fills a void like nothing else can. Unfortunately, this addiction is probably unhealthy and is having consequences on your body, on your relationships and/or at your place of work. I can help you identify what that need that you're trying to fill is, as well as offer you better strategies to fill that void; instead of your addiction. If you're ready to finally make a change, I can be there to guide you through it and progress to where you would like to be. You decide if now is the time to prioritize yourself and make positive changes to your life.

The term “addict” is commonly shrouded in judgement, guilt, shame, and remorse. I want to introduce you to a different understanding of addiction while providing insight into your actions. I offer a safe space to share your story and the tools to help you move beyond addiction. I can help to uncover subconscious blocks on the journey of healing from addiction or from a loved one’s addiction. No situation is hopeless, regardless of the addiction (sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, food), change is possible. We are powerful beings and regardless of our past hurts, we are all worthy of love and healing. We are all good enough as is to deserve peace, happiness and freedom from the urge to use. To Partners of Sex Addicts: Have you just experienced discovery?...(view profile to read more)

My approach to addiction utilizes a variety of methods including psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and emotion-based therapy. In working with addiction, individuals may struggle in different ways, and as a result, the solution needs to be person-specific. My approach includes a root-cause analysis that explores the underpinnings of the addiction towards a sustainable solution for treatment.

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.