Addiction Therapists in Ottawa, ON.

Substance use/ Addiction is on a continuum. It can be something we occasionally due to numb out some distressing feelings, or it can be something that we can't function without. Wherever you are on the continuum, there is always room to shift. In therapy, we can help you gain new perspectives and learn strategies for managing your use, including exploring the areas of your life your use affects (i.e. relationships, emotions, healing, functioning, etc.). Our clinicians greet each of our clients with non-judgment and meet you where you’re at. If you're wanting to feel more in control of your substance use- Book a consultation or session today! www.kaleidoscopecounsellingco.com

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

Addictions often go hand-in-hand with emotional distress, masking a deeper pain beneath the surface. The hopes of finding relief leads many to soothe emotional and mental discomfort by using substances in excess. Having a non-judgmental safe space to gain emotional support and reflect on life is fundamental when trying to make positive changes. You're invited to reach out and see if psychotherapy online is right for you.

Mood altering to avoid feeling difficult emotions is common. Be it with substances or behaviors. It often comes with shame and isolation. Over time, becoming dependent on a mood altering substance or behaviour actually provokes deep changes in the brain and decreases a person's ability to make healthy choices. It is also said that addiction is a disease of attachement where the person has come to obtain solace in their addiction which temporarily reduces their pain, be it physical or emotional. As a certified alcohol and drug counsellor and certified sex addiction counsellor, I am trained to help people return to who they are or were meant to be without harmful substances and/or behaviours.

Addiction can impact many areas of life, leaving you feeling trapped or powerless. In therapy, you’ll find a supportive environment to understand the underlying causes and patterns of addiction. Together, we’ll develop strategies to break unhealthy cycles and build healthier coping skills. Clients often experience greater control, improved wellbeing, and hope for a sustainable path toward recovery and a more fulfilling life.

Addiction can be one of life’s greatest challenges — and it can take many forms. We may find ourselves relying on substances, technology, shopping, or other behaviours to cope or find relief. Over time, these coping strategies can begin to feel difficult to manage or control. Through psychotherapy, I provide a supportive and non-judgmental space to explore what role addiction has played in your life and what meaningful change looks like for you. Whether your goal is harm reduction or complete abstinence, I will work collaboratively with you to find a balanced approach that aligns with your values and readiness for change.

In addiction therapy, I provide a supportive and non-judgmental space to help you understand and address behaviours that feel out of control. Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, substances, food, gambling, gaming, or sex addiction, I work with you to explore the underlying causes, identify triggers, and develop healthier coping strategies. Together, we focus on building self-awareness, regaining control, and creating lasting change so you can lead a more balanced, fulfilling life.

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

Addiction can be a scary thing that is often surrounded by ambiguity and confusion: why do I continue to use when I know it is bad for me? Why do I want to use in the first place? Why can't I seem to stop using and why cant I change? In working with clients, step 1 of our work is figuring out the answers to these questions and figuring out why addiction occurs in the first place. After this, we explore tools, resources, and therapies that will best work for clients in helping them create the changes they need and to promote the lives they want.

Addictions, are characterized by an over focus and dependence on something (even a relationship) that serves to keep us disconnected from inner pain, and thus the ability to deal with that pain. Being locked in this pattern of dependence, can be quite destructive to your inner and outer worlds. I work with helping you to reconnect with your essential self, with helping you identify and address limiting and painful patterns, and navigate your way to the life that you want. If you are someone struggling with being in a codependent relationship I provide support to assist you with accessing your own wisdom to move towards a life and relationships that are more peaceful and fulfilling.

In a supportive and empathic environment I help people suffering from an addiction to develop trust, build motivation to change, implement and maintain strategies to change as monitor their recovery process and journey of self-discovery. I work with both cognitive and behavioral techniques on the cycle of addiction as well as insight-oriented methods to develop a healthier and more productive whole person.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I know what it is like to be an addict. I have been in recovery from my addiction for several years now. I am also an international expert in this field. My American textbook called “Addictions Counseling Today: Substances and Addictive Behaviors” was published recently. I have been a practicing psychologist since 1986. If you need a competent psychologist, book now at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

As a therapist, I know how challenging it can be to manage addiction. Addiction can impact the quality of our lives, our relationships, and our connection to ourselves. Therapy can provide a safe space to navigate addiction and explore what you wish for in relation to the substance or behaviour. Discussing the addiction can also provide us useful clues as to what roots the addiction, allowing us to navigate the core issue at hand and explore preferred coping strategies. Connect with me today for a free consultation to begin your healing journey.

Gaining recovery from addiction will help you to feel empowered and more in control of how your life enfolds. You can begin to proactively choose beneficial goals and outcomes, rather than being at the mercy of a behaviour or a substance. Gaining the ability to live in the present--rather than, consciously or unconsciously, constantly focusing on capturing a future state promised by a substance or behaviour--can offer you new-found appreciation and joy in your everyday surroundings and bring you back to self-love.