Addiction Therapists in Oakville, ON.

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

Admitting that you have a problem is the first step to managing an addiction. The next step is to reach out for help and get support to discontinue the addiction. The journey from addiction to recovery has challenges and multiple research studies point out that the people who are most successful are those who utilize support consistently. The focus of my work with clients who want to discontinue an addiction is relapse prevention; helping individuals develop a lifestyle without substance use.

I am a highly trained and experienced Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), trained by Dr. Patrick Carnes of the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP). I am the only Certified Sex Addiction Therapist for a large area of southern Ontario. I offer programs for both addicts and partners of sex addicts, and hold Men's and Women's Groups . I am experienced in the treatment of all sexual addictions e.g. pornography, cybersex, sexual and emotional affairs, massage parlors, escorts and anonymous sex, etc. I am a facilitator of the Facing the Shadow Recovery Start Kit and an interpreter of sexual addiction tests. For more information see: www.btaylorsolutions.ca.

Addiction is a process that involves dependence on a substance or behaviour that becomes uncontrollable. It affects loved ones who end up alienated and frustrated. The addicted person often suffers from low self-esteem and negative thinking patterns that need to be examined. I provide a context for understanding the origin of the issues and explore effective strategies to deal with the current addiction and explore new thinking and behaviours that will help usher in a healthier lifestyle. Family and community supports such as AA are vital in the process of positive change sustained by strategies to prevent relapse. My experience shows that underlying issues must be addressed.

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.

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.

Having an addiction is rarely a choice that an individual makes when they first decide to use a substance. Addictions can often leave individuals feeling helpless and overcome with guilt for the way the addiction has impacted their relationships. Despite this, there is hope for someone with an addiction. With supportive counselling, an individual can overcome their addiction by recognizing their triggers and building on their current life skills to handle their triggers.

The Refuge's team views addictions compassionately, as a symptom of unresolved emotional pain or trauma, and offer an alternative to traditional AA-based models. Our therapists can support you in the journey towards processing and healing the underlying hurts that are resulting in addictions as a coping strategy. Together, we can build the emotional regulation, distress tolerance and impulse management skills on the inside that can reduce the reliance on addictions on the outside, so that pain isn't so overwhelming. We are trauma specialized and can help you navigate the complex interplay of shame, triggers, anxiety, secrecy, codependency, body sensations, relationship dynamics and relapse.

Many addictions stem from underlying issues or experiences that an individual has gone through in the past. By exploring these experiences, clients are able to better understand why they may have turned to substances or unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with these issues. I strive to help clients develop more healthy coping mechanisms, build a more desired future and redevelop severed or strained relationships from their past.

While sex addiction is sensationalized in the media, it is still a valid concern for couples as it may impede their relationship and quality of life. Despite no clear definition for sex addiction, it is a societal issue that needs to be addressed and one that may affect relationships negatively. As a clinical sexologist, I feel it is vital that individuals and couples are free to express their sexuality, but without taking away from their personal, professional, and family lives. Sex therapy can provide a way to balance these aspects, as well as strive for healthy and sexually fulfilling relationships.