Addiction Therapists in Chatham, ON.

Many approaches to addiction emphasize willpower and deprivation, but this only works temporarily. Alcohol, substances, or other addictive behaviours like gambling and gaming offer short-term relief of underlying issues at a long-term cost to one's relationships and health. As an addiction counsellor, I can help you resolve underlying issues, regain control, and build a sense of meaning and purpose, so you can start living the life you want. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction recovery. I meet each client where they are at, tailoring my approach to each person's unique needs. Send me a message and we can connect for a quick call to discuss next steps.

Contrary to what is believed, addiction usually starts with a positive impact on a person’s life and even sometimes saves their life. However, as the time goes by, this creative adjustment becomes outdated and turns into a problem. Therefore, working with addiction should not be about illuminating the symptoms or the manifestations of the addiction, but rather trying to understand the reasons underlying the addiction and the function that it used to serve. A successful recovery is only possible through understanding and even respecting the addiction. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Addiction is a jump into a pool of dopamine (the reward hormone) before you've had a chance to earn it. Emotional sobriety begins when you learn how to avoid overreacting Substance sobriety occurs when you stop making your best friend a drink or a drug. Shopping sobriety occurs when you stop accumulating articles to feel better at the moment. Sexual sobriety occurs when you choose to stop using people as desired objects. Gambling sobriety occurs when you bet on yourself. All addictions are examples of the reward system being hijacked. Sobriety often requires support, which means you begin by giving up your secret. I may be able to offer you the non-judgemental therapy you need.

Substance use can often feel like the only effective way of coping with traumatic events or challenging life circumstances. I believe that therapy should open space for clients to discuss their experience with substance use and what purpose this serves in their lives. I take a de-pathologizing stance and work collaboratively with clients to explore what substance use means to them and see how this fits with their ideas and hopes for their life and future. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ensure we are a good fit.

When I work with individuals who have difficulty with addiction we will first work to discover what is driving the addiction. Together we will discover past events which have lead to present day addictions. Hypnosis, Brainspotting, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) are helpful in moving through past trauma, allowing clients to alleviate trigger responses from the environment, which is essential in the healing process.

"Addiction", whether it be over-using drugs, internet, sex, etc., is a means of seeking pleasure in order to mask difficult feelings and thoughts that you may be dealing with. Sometimes, the pain of difficult or traumatic experiences becomes so intense that we unknowingly turn to unhealthy means of gratification. It is my goal to collaboratively, delicately and thoughtfully explore the underlying reasons of your excessive use of drugs, internet, etc., and support the working through and acknowledgement of the feelings and thoughts associated with the underlying reasons. If you are persistent in obtaining health and a happier existence, you will experience healing and release from pain.

Addiction is a multifaceted challenge, and understanding its roots is key to recovery. While I do not offer therapy sessions for addiction, we have several addiction specialists at Psychotherapy Collective who are available to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with you to ensure they are the proper fit for your journey. Visit our profiles at https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/our-team