Substance Use/Addiction

I have many years of experiences working with substance use and addiction concerns including in an in-patient treatment centre, as an addictions counsellor with AHS, and in private practice.

I understand that there are may reasons that people use substances and develop addictions. These reasons often include shame, trauma, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, unhappiness, etc. There is always a reason behind the use/addiction and it's never that they're a bad person but often because they're experience a form of pain.

Treatment Goals

My goal with clients is not only to help them address their substance abuse or addiction concerns, but to help clients identify and address the issues that lead to substance, and with the impacts of substance use/addiction such as relationship issues, trust, psychological dependency, and emotional difficulties such as anger, insecurity, shame, loneliness, etc.

Treatment Approach

My goal with clients is not help individuals treat the substance abuse/addiction, but also to help them identify and address the issues that lead to their substance use/addiction and treat the emotional and psychological challenges that are often associated with addiction (i.e. depression, anxiety, loss of self-worth, anger, loneliness, confusion, despair, shame).

I regularly use self-compassion tools, trauma therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques when working with substance use/addictions concerns. Help the individual find ways to talk with their partner/family about their addiction and recovery (which may include have their partner or family attend a session or two with them).

Support groups like SMART Recovery and 12 Step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Gamblers Anonymous work for some people and not for others. I don't believe is pushing a client to do things that they have told me they don't like or that don't work for them. So if you're not interested in these resources, that's okay.