Addiction Therapists in Quinte West, ON.

My belief is that all addiction is a distortion of connection with our wholeness. Some describe it as a spiritual disorder with a core of emptiness at the source. Whatever the conceptualization, there is always biopsychosocial involvement so my approach is holistic and will depend on a client's readiness, or in what stage of change a client presents. The treatment approach can range from utilizing harm reduction strategies, deeper psychodynamic work to resolve long standing wounds, family-based interventions or cognitive behavioural approaches. Cravings and compulsions can often be alleviated via the use of self-applied acupressure and/or hypnosis. EMDR may also be helpful.

It can be hard to know where to begin when dealing with addiction because its roots can run deep into the fabric of our lives. When working with individuals who experience addictions, I first seek to understand and appreciate each person’s story and work to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space where healing can begin. My own experiences with addiction and recovery have helped me to understand the healing power of compassion, acceptance and encouragement. Reach out today to learn more about my approach and your journey to healing.

We are social beings who thrive when we feel connected to others. When we are unable to connect with our loved ones, we feel painful disconnection. These feelings of disconnection can lead us to explore other strategies to feel good, even temporarily. The use of substances or addictive behaviours can temporarily reduce our feelings of emotional and physical pain while increasing our sense of pleasurable feelings. Because it is temporary, we must continue to engage in these addictive practices to cope with feeling disconnected, and our use becomes more problematic and destructive. Together, we will explore the disconnection that is driving the addictive behaviour.

Substance use can often feel like the only effective way of coping with traumatic events or challenging life circumstances. I believe that therapy should open space for clients to discuss their experience with substance use and what purpose this serves in their lives. I take a de-pathologizing stance and work collaboratively with clients to explore what substance use means to them and see how this fits with their ideas and hopes for their life and future. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure we are a good fit.

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.

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.