Addiction Therapists in Armstrong, BC.

The question is not "why the addiction but why the pain" - Gabor Mate. Addiction is rooted in human suffering and complex social problems. Drawing on the work of Gabor Mate, Narrative Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy, and Response-Based practice, I will begin to address the pain and suffering experienced by individuals and families. We will also exploring the social context the contributes to an addiction culture. One of the goals is to start to separate the person from the addiction. Each individual is so much more than the addiction they experience.

“It was a long and heavy day and I just need to break the edge.” “I communicate better after few drinks” “I can’t fall asleep if I don’t have my…” When a substance becomes a “priority”, or becomes overused, it begins to creep into and destroy an individual’s health, family, relationship and even work. The question becomes "Do I have control over it or does it have control over me?". Often substances are used as coping mechanism without realizing that it often creates even more anxiety and depression, leaving a person feeling more stress and low down the road. Feeling anxious without a "quick fix" or a “temporary Band-Aid” is a strong indicator that a person is or has lost control with the desired substance. In counselling, we work to support...(view profile to read more)

Are you struggling with addiction or mental health issues? Psychotherapy and addiction counselling can provide the support you need to overcome these challenges. Psychotherapy helps individuals gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while addiction counselling focuses on addressing addictive behaviors and developing coping mechanisms. These therapeutic approaches can play a crucial role in your journey towards recovery and overall well-being.

Addictions do not exist within a vacuum - there are deeper causes and perpetuating factors. I work with you as a unique individual to make decisions and changes that are meaningful and sustainable for you. Your support network also plays a role. I include the system within which you live to help you maintain or build healthy supports that will help foster an enviornment to help you change and maintain the changes that you want to make.

Olivia has a deep passion for helping individuals overcome addictions and specializes in guiding clients through various struggles. As a Certified Sexual Recovery Therapist, Certified Partner Betrayal Trauma Therapist, and Certified Partner Recovery Therapist, she brings expertise in addressing sexual addiction, love addiction, and their impact on relationships. Olivia has experience leading freedom and life transformation groups, empowering clients to reclaim their lives and find healing. She also works with those battling other addictive behaviours. Her compassionate and informed approach fosters hope, growth, and long-term transformation for individuals and their loved ones.

Whether it is a physical addiction or substance abuse, there are areas in your life that are too big to control by yourself. Your addiction is hurting those you love most in your life, and you can't seem to stop. Counselling can help you identify patterns your addictive behaviour. Together with your counsellor you will see an awareness of what drives your addiction, a clear plan of action for when cravings strike, and a restored and reinforced relationships in your life.

Working through addiction can be a raw and difficult process, that often reveals the pain that the addiction was helping to disguise. My approach to treating addiction applies cognitive awareness and mindfulness strategies to managing and reducing addictive tendencies and impulses. Addiction tends to thrive in isolation, so having a guide to help anticipate the struggle of addiction, identify and exercise strategies that are clinically effective in relief of addiction, and trauma.

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.

Robin Menard has her Masters in Social Work and over three years full-time experience working in the field of addictions. She uses a biopsychosocial holistic approach. She does comprehensive assessments to determine strengths and deficits emotionally, cognitively, mentally, physically, socially, as well as assessing negative core beliefs about self, others, and the world. She works along side her clients to draw up comprehensive treatment plans which create transparency, focus and direction to help her clients heal in every area needed. Some of the benefits that clients have reported when working with Robin include: increased self-esteem, increased competency, reconnection with family, increased ....

Addiction, substance use, and concurrent disorders are the primary area of expertise and specialization of our practice. All of our therapists have extensive experience support clients in pursuit of addiction recovery in whatever form that may look like. We are well-equipped to support 12-step programs of recovery as well as harm reduction models. Our expertise in addictions and substance use lends well to supporting individuals with ADHD, OCD, disordered eating, and many other concurrent disorders that accompany addictions.