Addiction Therapists in Whitchurch Stouffville, ON.

We all have patterns that take on a life of their own; drive us toward harm rather than good. Addiction is most usefully understood in this way. It can show up as a substance or behaviour that may merely draw our attention too often or dominate our waking hours. All addiction arises from attempts (conscious or not) to survive otherwise unbearable situations by distracting ourselves from thoughts or feelings that we become deeply afraid to face. Through increased awareness and understanding of what we are running from, building our resilience & developing skills to face those buried experiences, you can become whole again and get back in control of your choices.

Addiction can take many forms—substances, behaviours, or patterns of coping—and often impacts every aspect of a person’s life. In addiction counselling, I provide a safe, judgment-free space to explore the underlying emotional, relational, and situational factors driving the addictive behaviour. My approach combines evidence-based therapies such as CBT, EFT, and trauma-informed care to help you understand triggers, build healthier coping strategies, and strengthen emotional resilience. Together, we work on repairing relationships, restoring self-worth, and creating a sustainable plan for recovery.

If you are reading this profile, you are probably concerned about your addiction issues to the point that you want to seek help. You are probably sensing that you are losing control over your addictive behaviours. You are likely struggling with the impacts of your addiction on your daily functioning, such as school, work, sleep, concentration etc.. I would like to applause your courage to seek help. This is a significant sign of your readiness to acknowledge your issues and make the changes. Addiction is an avoidance behaviour that try to draw our attention to the underlying issues we need to work on. Don't hesitate to reach out and get the help you need now.

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.

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.

In Addiction Counselling, I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space to help clients address the underlying causes of their addictive behaviors and work toward recovery. I utilize evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and harm reduction techniques to help clients develop healthier coping strategies and regain control over their lives. Together, we identify triggers, break destructive patterns, and build a foundation for long-term sobriety. My approach focuses on empowering clients, promoting self-awareness, and supporting sustainable change, all while respecting their unique journey toward healing.

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.

My approach to addiction counselling focuses on understanding the root causes of addiction and helping clients develop healthier coping strategies. Using techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness, I help clients build self-awareness, address emotional triggers, and create lasting change. Clients benefit by improving emotional regulation, and strengthening their commitment to recovery.

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

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.

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 .

Addiction is extremely complicated, painful and overpowering. You're a great person! One who wishes to have a 'normal life'. But it's not happen. You're trapped, unable to break the chains. You have tried your very best to break the chains, but they are too strong, too big. This is where I come in. Allow me to help you. The 2 of us have a greater chance to break the chains than you have by youself. I have seen many people secure themselves from various types of addiction(s). Call me. I will coach you to freedom.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques for addictions are used in the form of reinforcement and conditioning as learning processes in the development of addictive behaviours. There are various skills that clients learn to identify and change problem behaviours to reduce or abstain from drug use. This entails monitoring early warning signs for drug or alcohol cravings, identifying high-risk environments and situations associated with substance use, exploring negative consequences of continued substance use, and developing effective strategies for coping with temptations to use and avoiding triggering high-risk environments.

I provide compassionate, evidence-based support for individuals struggling with addictions, recognizing the complex emotional and behavioral patterns involved. Using therapies like Motivational Interviewing, DBT, CBT, and mindfulness, I help clients explore underlying triggers, build healthier coping skills, and strengthen motivation for change. Together, we create a safe, nonjudgmental space to address cravings, manage setbacks, and develop sustainable strategies for recovery. My goal is to support you in reclaiming control, improving well-being, and fostering long-term resilience on your healing journey.

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.

Addictions do not have to continue to keep you stuck. Through the use of acceptance and mindfulness strategies, I can help clients to be fully present in the moment and to accept otherwise negative emotions that are at the heart of the issue. Commitment and behavior change strategies help clients to change or persist in behaviors more in line with their own values. Used together these strategies increase client’s psychological flexibility.

Along with a more conventional form of therapy for addictions, I will also focus on the cause of addictive behavior and will utilize less conventional methods of ferreting out the conditions, criteria, and even purpose (how does addictive behavior benefit you?) behind the behavior. Addictions are a complicated issue, and the more the client understands the deeply rooted causes of their behavior the better chance he or she may have in controlling the condition. It isn't just about stopping the behavior but discovering the meaning behind the choices being made.

We can get adicted to anything that makes us feel good! Especially living in an "addictively oriented" society, it is easy for anyone to become addicted to a variety of things, like substances, relationships, processes, etc. I help people understand the process of addictions, and together we can work to overcome both the addiction itself, as well as learning to deal with the usually very human desires which are feeding it. The goal is to be able to life with, or through, the good and the bad without getting stuck in unhelpful ways of coping with life's challenges.

I view addiction not just as a problem but an unhelpful solution to a different problem. Often, we turn to addiction to get away from something else. It is that “something else” that we would try to understand in our sessions. We will then work to find healthier ways of coping to replace the addiction. I also specialize in helping reduce cannabis use, which may not be addictive as a substance but has addictive effects. It is never too late to start this journey. Call today to book a free consultation.

I'm happy that you are here and taking steps to have a better life. Addiction comes in many forms whether it's substances, alcohol, sex, or internet but it's not the form that matters but the function that it is serving. What pain does this behaviour is trying to soothe or distract you from? If we attend to the pain and discomfort, it gives you an opportunity for recovery. I am here to provide a safe, encouraging, and supportive place to meet where you are at today.

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.

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

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.

Struggling with addiction can feel isolating—but you don’t have to face it alone. I offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space where we start from where you are. Together, we’ll explore the roots of addiction, work gently with shame, and build self-compassion. Using evidence-based approaches, I support you in finding lasting change at your own pace.