Addictions therapists in Courtenay, British Columbia BC, Canada CA
Addictions or Substance Abuse
Nicklas Ehrlich
Counsellor/Therapist, MSW, RCC (#0843), RSW (#11561), Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Life-Coach, Hypnotherapist, Advanced Neurofeedback Trainer
Addictions/substance abuse is often an unconscious coping strategy to deal with trauma, emotional/physical pain and anything that overwhelms the central nervous system/brain. Once the central nervous system/brain are taken out of fight-flight-freeze-collapse (survival mode), balance can occur.
44 Years Experience
Addictions or Substance Abuse
Reema Qamar
Counsellor/Therapist, MA, RCC, CCC
Therapy for addictions helps the individual understand the motives behind their behaviour and develop a treatment plan.
1 Years Experience
Addictions or Substance Abuse
Kristen Bailey Counselling
Counsellor/Therapist, Masters of Arts Counselling Psychology
I have worked extensively in Substance abuse, both in organisations and in my private practice. Substance abuse and addiction is rooted in deep shame and I have seen how an approach combined with psychological tools that support managing urges and tolerating difficult feelings with processing that supports shame reduction and self forgiveness/acceptance to be very valuable.
8 Years Experience
Addictions or Substance Abuse
Nina Hopmeier
Licensed Professional Counsellor, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
An addiction involves a constant need to perform a behaviour or consume a substance. Addictive behaviours vary and can include shopping, gambling, hoarding, drugs and alcohol, and exercising. When people engage in addictive behaviours, they often feel as if they are unable to control their actions. They may also feel distressed or anxious if they were to abstain from the behaviour. Due to the perceived inability to control actions, people often feel disempowered and hopeless, which significantly impacts happiness and wellbeing.
In therapy, rather than solely focusing on the detrimental effects of the addiction, we focus on the purpose and function of the addictive behaviour. People frequently engage in addictive behaviours due to experiencing beneficial effects. If the behaviour would fail to be reinforcing, they would have no reason to continue with the addiction. Once clients acknowledge the purpose of the addictive behaviour, they often view their situation through a compassionate, rather than judgmental lens. Gaining insight and self-compassion are essential ingredients for change and growth.
Another fundamental aspect of therapy is gaining insight into the cause of an addiction. Individuals with addictions often engage in dysfunctional behaviours in order to compensate for something that is lacking in their lives.
The addiction may also be linked to past events, such as trauma or abuse. As a result, we explore the underlying cause of the addiction in order to assist with targeting core issues. With the incorporation of multiple treatment models, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness approaches clients also learn to sit with uncomfortable thoughts and feelings that accompany the addiction.
Over time they learn that having urges does not mean they have to act on them. Instead, they learn how to replace the urges with adaptive coping styles. As clients gain control over their addiction, they often feel a sense of empowerment and strength, which instils hope for a new and improved future.
13 Years Experience
Addictions or Substance Abuse
Redbird Therapy Centre
Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapists
Jessica Weeks, Benjamin Rubinoff, Liz Bostwick, Barbara Brown, and Nic Cadman are experienced in working with folks wanting to change substance use or addiction, drawing on both harm reduction and/or abstinence models, based on your goals and needs. Contact our Intake Worker to help determine who will be the best fit for you.
29 Years Experience