Addiction Therapists in Norfolk County, ON.

I help clients reconnect to their values and goals, to their relationships and to themselves. I work with clients to help them identify what keeps their cycle of addiction going despite their efforts to change. Knowing the purpose that their addiction serves allows for opportunity to meet that purpose in a healthier way. When this shift happens, clients feel in control of their lives and confident in their ability to handle challenges. My priority is for my clients to create lasting change that allows them to live the life they want with meaningful relationships, increased self-worth, and optimism for their future.

Addiction is a multifaceted challenge, and understanding its roots is key to recovery. While I do not offer therapy sessions for addiction, we have several addiction specialists at Psychotherapy Collective who are available to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with you to ensure they are the proper fit for your journey. Visit our profiles at https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/our-team

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.

I have helped literally thousands of men who struggle with pornography addiction and the grief it brings to their marriage. The toxicity of shame and secrecy help keep this struggle private until caught. This addiction is not an easy one to win against on your own and needs the attention of a therapist. Most men have no idea why they are so locked into this addiction. In the last few years, women too are becoming increasingly more caught in the web of porn addiction, equally with no idea why. Although porn addictions look sexual they are often another issues being acted out sexually. This is where I have been so successful in helping people with this addiction and find the freedom they want.

Feeling out of control and unable to stop engaging in harmful behaviours can feel shameful, over-whelming and hopeless. My approach to addiction treatment is based in a harm reduction model. This approach acknowledges that maintaining abstinence may not be a realistic goal. Without judgement we will work together to set realistic goals that seek to reduce the negative impacts of your addiction. You may choose to explore the roots of your addiction and any other related issues. It will always be up to you. Please reach out for a consult so we can assess whether I am the right therapist to help you move toward change and stability.

Struggling with substance use or addiction can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. I’m Simona Ilieva, a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in addiction therapy. Together, we’ll explore the underlying causes of your substance use, identify triggers, and develop personalized strategies for lasting recovery. Whether you’re dealing with alcohol, drugs, or other addictive behaviors, I’m here to support you in taking back control of your life. Recovery is not just about breaking free from substance use—it’s about rediscovering your strengths and building a life you feel proud of. Healing is possible, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s take that first st

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.

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

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.

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.

My approach to addictions counseling is holistic, trauma-informed, and rooted in deep compassion. I view addiction not as a flaw or failure, but as a coping strategy often developed in response to unresolved pain, trauma, or unmet emotional needs. Through gentle exploration and therapies such as, mindfulness, and somatic awareness, I support clients in understanding the underlying drivers of their addictive patterns. Together, we build healthier coping strategies, restore self-trust, and reconnect with purpose and meaning—empowering lasting change and emotional freedom.

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

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.

Addiction is a multifaceted challenge, and understanding its roots is key to recovery. While I do not offer therapy sessions for addiction, we have several addiction specialists at Psychotherapy Collective who are available to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with you to ensure they are the proper fit for your journey. Visit our profiles at https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/our-team