Addiction Therapists in Stouffville, ON.

Merriam-Webster’s definition states: Addiction: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble). The key word is harmful. In this light, one could even postulate people can be addicted to arguing and fighting, to the chemicals released from the adrenal gland during "fight or flight"? Did you know the actual term “addiction” was originally used in the slave trade? (S. Luper-Foy C. Brown (ed.) (1994). Drugs, Morality, and the Law. Garland). When a slave was sold to the “owner”, they were said to be addicted to their master which meant “tied to”. Well, if you and I can be tied to something… yes… we can be untied! www.jeffpacker.com

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

Addiction can occur with many substances and activities - alcohol, street drugs, prescription drugs, caffeine, food, porn, sex, gambling, Together, we will gain insight into the root of your addiction and the purpose it has served in your life. I will provide us with the compassionate and supportive dynamic essential to your journey of creating the life experience you desire.

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?

[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

Addiction can feel like an insurmountable barrier to a fulfilling life, but recovery is possible with the right support. My approach combines Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you address the complexities of addiction and develop effective coping strategies. Together, we’ll explore the underlying causes of your addiction, build a support system, and create a personalized plan for recovery. Whether you're dealing with substance abuse or behavioural addictions, I’m here to support you in achieving lasting change and a healthier life. Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to start your path to recovery.

Addiction isn’t a failure—it’s a coping strategy that may have outlived its purpose. Whether you’re struggling with substance use, compulsive behaviours, or emotional dependence, we offer a non-judgmental space for healing. We’ll help you understand the emotional roots of the addiction, develop healthier coping strategies, and reconnect with what matters most. Recovery is not about perfection—it’s about rebuilding your life with honesty, self-compassion, and hope.

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.

Approaches to addressing addictions really vary from one treatment setting to another. My approach focuses on helping people manage their addictions. Not everyone chooses abstinence, and not everyone needs to. In fact, for many problem drinkers learning to become a controlled drinker can offer a more sustainable way of living. I tend to work with people to help them manage their addictions in a way that is sustainable, and in a way that works for their personal situation.

Addictive behaviours often develop as ways of coping with trauma, big emotions, stress, or painful experiences. In my work with addictions, I draw on ACT, DBT, IFS, and CBT to help clients understand the underlying patterns that contribute to substance use or compulsive behaviours. Rather than focusing on stopping the behaviour, we explore the needs and pressures that may be driving it while building healthier ways to respond. My clients benefit from learning practical tools to manage urges, develop greater self-compassion, and reconnect with values that support long-term well-being through sustainable change.

In order to understand addictions, we have to first understand that it is a symptom of a much larger issue. By working with me through their addiction, clients often find that they get to the root of the issue that may be causing relapses or active addictions. Clients often develop new ways to cope with what is going on around them and begin to understand certain aspects of themselves that maintains the addiction cycle. Once they discover these aspects and reprocess certain memories, living in recovery becomes much more attainable.

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.

Addiction can take many forms — alcohol and substance use, gambling, porn, gaming, or other compulsive behaviours — and it rarely exists in isolation. At Durham Psychotherapy, we understand that addiction is often rooted in pain, trauma, anxiety, or unmet emotional needs. Our registered therapists take a non-judgmental, compassionate approach to addiction counselling, helping clients explore the underlying drivers of their addictive behaviour, develop healthier coping strategies, and build a sustainable path toward recovery. We use evidence-based approaches including Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and trauma-informed care to support clients at every stage — whether they are just starting to question their relationship with a substance or behaviour, or...(view profile to read more)

While most treatment approaches to addiction include 12 step programs, rehabs, and now sober living houses, Grey Matters International, Inc. provides a wildly successful alternative to traditional models of addiction treatment----that keeps the brain in mind. That is, talking to the conscious brain while the primal brain is deciding things even before you are consciously aware? Well, that is the problem to solve in addiction. We have the solution utilizing a new cutting edge neuroscience-centered brain rebalancing system. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or call 877-606-6161.

While I have had little training for addiction, I can offer counselling for the anxiety, depression, family relationship challenges, and boundary-setting related to the addiction. Addiction often requires medical professionals, counsellors, family and a strong support system so I am often a member of a team helping a person and/or family. My passion is to find a cause for the use of addiction and this is explored with family of origin history and processing of past trauma experiences.

With the fast pace and challenges of life, you do not have to face them alone. Sometimes you need a helping hand and a friendly ear to talk to. It's my passion to help people. I offer counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families. I work with clients to improve their resiliency, and uncover their strengths using a client centered approach and different modalities to meet needs .

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.

Compassionate therapist specializing in addiction recovery, offering a safe and nonjudgmental space to explore challenges, patterns, and the impact substance use has on your life. Using evidence-based approaches, I work collaboratively with you to understand triggers, strengthen coping skills, and build healthier habits. Together, we focus on restoring a sense of control, fostering resilience, and creating meaningful, lasting change. My goal is to support you at every stage of your journey toward healing, renewed confidence, and a more balanced, fulfilling life.

You might be questioning your relationship with substances or noticing patterns that don’t feel healthy anymore. Maybe it’s a way to cope, escape, or just get through the day, but now you're ready for something different. Therapy with us offers a space to explore your experiences without shame or judgment, and to build healthier ways to cope, reconnect with yourself, and move toward a life that actually feels good.

Addiction counseling can be a powerful process when a client feels ready and open to change. Addiction is often rooted in unresolved trauma, and meaningful healing comes from addressing both together. I offer trauma-informed, client-centered support that integrates evidence-based approaches such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and harm-reduction strategies. By working through the underlying emotional pain alongside the patterns of addiction, individuals can begin to rebuild what may have been lost—regaining a sense of stability, self-worth, and resilience on their path to recovery.

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.

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.

I provide a cognitive behavioural approach to addictive behaviours. During therapy sessions we work together to identify the thoughts and habits that lead to unwanted behaviours. We then discuss and develop new thoughts and habits to change the addictive behaviours. Addictive behaviours addressed in session include; alcohol, food, drugs . In session we also discuss changes in mood related to the addictive behaviours

Are you experiencing difficulties with alcohol and substance use or abuse? Are you concerned that you have an addiction? Perhaps you are family member or friend who is concerned that someone close to you has an addiction. In therapy, we can explore your alcohol or drug use and its impact on your life and relationships. Together we can look at what decisions might be beneficial for you and your goals and we can work to unearth what is underlying some of the choices you have made and continue to make in your life. As a non-judgmental, caring professional, I can work with you to help reach the goals you set for yourself. I provide support and guidance to concerned family members and friends.

Addictions often develop as ways to cope with pain, stress, or unmet emotional needs. In my work, I approach addictions with compassion and curiosity rather than judgment. Using a trauma-informed, Gestalt and somatic perspective, I help clients explore the underlying emotions, triggers, and relational patterns connected to their behaviors. Together, we increase awareness of urges, body sensations, and automatic reactions, while building healthier ways to regulate the nervous system. I also support clients in strengthening boundaries, self-compassion, and accountability. Through this process, clients often gain greater insight, emotional resilience, and a stable foundation for lasting change.