Addictions therapists in Fernie, British Columbia BC, Canada CA
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
Alain Langlais
Licensed Professional Counsellor, M.H., RTC, C.CH T
My approach to counselling is to respect and value the uniqueness of every individual and where they are. I work to support them using creativity, with warmth, understanding and at times, a touch of humour when appropriate.
16 Years Experience
Addictions or Substance Abuse
Darren Williamson
Pre-Licensed Professional
It takes a lot of courage to admit you have an addiction. It takes courage to admit when you feel you are no longer in control of your desires.
I want to tell you that you are not alone. Whether it is the better-known addictions like alcohol, nicotine, and substances like opiates/cocaine/amphetamines, or something behavioral like gambling, overeating, or internet use, there is nothing wrong with you and you aren’t the only person experiencing this. The alcohol industry spends millions of dollars each year finding the best way to get you to drink. Casinos spend millions getting you to gamble. The tech giants of social media/gaming/pornography spend millions to maximize your time on their websites. They want you to experience this alone, because addiction thrives when it hides in the shadows. I offer a safe, secure space to examine it in the light.
Together we will examine your relationship to your addiction. I do not practice from an “abstinence-only” model, but instead focus on what YOU want. What does the problem substance or behavior mean to you? What purpose does it serve in your life? What, if anything, would you want to replace it?
What is important is that you feel like you are in control of your own life, and not being led by forces that have spent millions researching how to take this control away from you. Don't fight this battle alone.
1 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