Addiction Therapists in Medicine Hat, AB.

Addictions in the family significantly impact the lives of children. Family addictions can have many consequences for a child and impede his or her development in behaviour, education, and social-emotional wellbeing. Without help these children are at risk of developing severe mental health concerns including: depression, anxiety, issues with self-esteem and self-worth, issues with peers, sleep disorders, substance abuse disorders, etc. Keystone offers counselling and support for children with a family member struggling with substance abuse. Additionally, family therapy is offered to help develop healthy family patterns and strengthen relationships between family members.

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.

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.

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!

As a brain disease, understanding what is happening neurologically is helpful to decrease shame that can inhibit recovery. Learning how addiction functions in a person's life is essential for learning what is needed to make recovery possible. Motivation to change is always an issue to talk about as ambivalence is normal - wanting and not wanting change at the same time. Working to enhance internal motivation rather than coercion or arm twisting change is essential to success. Recovery involves not one big change but hundreds of little ones. I would work from a biopsychosocial spiritual (not religious) perspective as a holistic approach lowers the chance of relapse increasing recovery.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I know what it is like to be an addict. I have been in recovery from my addiction for several years now. I am also an international expert in this field. My American textbook called “Addictions Counseling Today: Substances and Addictive Behaviors” was published recently. I have been a practicing psychologist since 1986. If you need a competent psychologist, book now at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

What makes a good addictions Counsellor? Let me first recuse myself that Addictions is not a specialization for me, however, there are wonderful counsellors in our area who are educated and trained in a way that can help you. I can get you started, even if you're not quite ready. There are often relationship difficulties when Addiction is present. I can empathize to better understand the troubles you may be facing, and create a plan to get you mobilized in the direction you want.

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.