Addiction Therapists in Discovery Ridge, Calgary, AB.

I will work with you to understand the underlying emotional and psychological factors contributing to your addiction. I employ a harm-reduction approach to substance abuse treatment as opposed to complete and sudden abstinence. I will work with you to build effective coping strategies, heal trauma and provide techniques which will help you navigate the stress and complexity of long-term recovery.

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 often the surface problem, it's a way of staying away from a greater pain that is below the surface. Doing addiction counselling with me is a gentle and compassionate process of tending to the real issues below the addiction, so that there is no longer a need to engage in this harmful behaviour. When you pull out the roots of a weed, the weed will not grow back, and real change has been achieved!

Ready for change? In your life, relationships, and with yourself ? Change begins with you. Exploring how your addiction has influenced your life and imagining how your life can be by rewriting your relationship with addiction. Our lives and our pathways are not written in stone. When we tell our stories in ways that can make us stronger, we can discover - we are not the problem - the problem is the problem. When we separate ourselves from the problem, we can begin to revise our relationships with problems and gain new insight into different ways we can live our lives. I can help you discover ways to reclaim your past and re-envision your future and change your relationship with addiction.

Addictions are hard but not hopeless. I my self battled with my own addictions. Along with education I also have understanding at a deeper level due to my personal experience. The substance that you are addicted to is not so much the issue as is the feelings, thoughts, experiences and behaviours. Processing ones story within therapy allows a person to step one foot closer to freedom and hope in a better life. It is a risk to reach out and be vulnerable. The key is to keep picking oneself back up and keep trying.I look forward to hearing your story and journeying with you as you process it.

Jennifer believes in the value of 12-step programs, due to their high success rate and popularity worldwide. She also believes, however, that often more issues need to be dealt with that are not treated in 12-Step programs, for clients to see long lasting success. If you have completed, and/or are currently a part of a 12-Step program, but feel you would benefit from working through some additional issues in therapy, Jennifer would be a good fit.