Addiction Therapists in Ottawa, ON.

Many people who don't understand addition would say to someone struggling with addiction to just quit or stop the behavior, but addiction is a disease. You don't have to do it alone. I understand that the will is not the issue, let's work collaboratively together on your journey to take control of yourself and redirect your focus to what matters most to you.

The Addiction Psychology Service at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships is a private, office-based service offering individualized and flexible psychological assessment and treatment of substance use and gambling difficulties. Substance use and gambling are part of the lives of many individuals. Occasionally, some experience problems with their physical and mental health, personal relationships, or school or work as a result of substance use or gambling. CFIR therapists offers scientifically-based, short-term or long-term psychotherapy options to assist clients in changing their substance use or gambling behaviour.

Addiction has taken a toll on your life affecting each aspect of it. Whether it is technology addiction, gambling, addiction to substances or to people, we will explore what fuels these addictions. We will get to the bottom of the problem and explore adaptive behaviours to live a life free from addiction. We will use CBT,Cognitive Processing Therapy, EMDR, SF, and Relapse Prevention to explore your addictions.

I have a harm reduction approach to addiction. I am able to work with individuals that are managing their addictions and are wanting to decrease their usage. I can help with developing a plan to avoid triggering situations, developing safety and support plans. I can also help individuals to utilize coping strategies to better deal with powerful thoughts. However, I want to stress the importance of attending a treatment facility if the issues are severe.

Addiction is a complex coping strategy and illness. Often deeply connected to attachment struggles, together we will map out the role addiction has played in your life, and create strategies for wellness and balance. Addiction often requires a team approach, with family, medical practitioners, and others working together to support you. I would be honored to be part of your wellness team as you address addiction in your life.

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.

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.

Often, the focus of addictions counselling is abstinence. But my treatment philosophy focuses on getting at the feelings that lie beneath the symptom - the symptom of addictions or substance use. Substances or any addictive behaviors are driven by painful hurt, trauma, and losses/grief and working through these issues I can help you to better understand the role of substances in your life. You don't have to do this alone.

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.

Having an addiction is not a sign of weakness or lack of character. In fact, reaching out for help and being open to change takes a great deal of strength. My approach is one of openness and non-judgment. I follow a harm reduction approach meaning that I respect my clients right to set their own goals which will then guide our sessions. I appreciate that not everyone is ready to, nor wants to, work towards full sobriety. Harm reduction is about reducing the negative impact that substance use has on that person’s well-being and life. I strongly believe that any positive change is a success. If you think that my approach would work for you, please book a free consultation.

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.

There are many forms of addiction. In therapy we will explore your history, your values, and seek out an understanding of what has been missing for you. When we lean into substances or behaviours that become addictive there is often a sense of loss or absence. My clients begin to understand what they have missed out on and we identify what it is that they are truly seeking in their lives.

Addictions can appear in many forms including substance addictions, internet addiction, sex addiction, gambling addiction, shopping addiction, pornography, social media, excessive exercise, food, etc. Strong cravings with a loss of control can lead people to become addicted in spite of possible dire consequences. Counselling is one of several possible treatments available for addictions. Individual, group and family therapies have been found to be helpful in order to inform a client regarding the harmful effects the addiction may have on themselves, their friends, family and society. Promoting physical, emotional and spiritual well being is often critical for the rehabilitation process.

Addiction is my specialty. I am an addict with 16 years of recovery and I have seen hundreds of clients with all kinds of addiction issues. My method is to address past issues that drove the formation of the addiction while simultaneously dealing with the daily here-and-now issues that prevent it from ending. I use a task-based approach to recovery where each task includes a combination of a variety of therapies. It gives the therapy a framework and backbone. And it also involved some homework on your part. Addiction recovery is not as complicated as it may sound. You do have to give it your all. And it helps to have someone in your corner.

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.

One of our lovely psychotherapists, Cher, has spent the majority of her career supporting folks struggling with addiction and addictive behaviours. It’s something she’s passionate about! Using a variety of therapeutic interventions and a harm reduction approach, she supports her clients to discover and develop their version of a happy and healthy life. This may include helping people gain new perspectives and strategies for addressing struggles with interpersonal relationships, facing difficult emotions, healing past wounds, and exploring and understanding one’s self in new ways. She greets each of her clients with non-judgment and meets you where you’re at.

While substance use typically begins as recreational activity it can become habit forming and often develops addictive behaviors interfering with other areas of our lives, such as relationships, jobs, and finances. To increase awareness and insight into the reasons for using, I offer evidence-based treatment while providing you with options along the continuum of the Harm Reduction approach towards abstinence. We will explore any underlying emotional needs and relationships. By gaining insight to any ambivalent thoughts and feelings around changing patterns of substance misuse I will support you in the setting and achieving of personal goals. Schedule a free consultation today.

I provide individuals with a safe space where they will have the opportunity to openly address any aspect of their life that may present difficulties while trying to overcome addiction. Psychotherapy can also be effective for individuals who have a history of addiction and are emotionally and interpersonally vulnerable. I can offer coping-focused psychotherapy to help you learn the practical and specific ways in which you can cope with your problems. These may be addiction, relapse prevention, panic, anxiety, and depression.