Addiction Therapists in Lumsden, SK.

If you have been coerced into treatment, your goals may our first focus. All people have addictions, or strategies for dealing with significant pain in our lives. My approach is to identify and help heal the traumas that led to addiction. We identify the emotional triggers and chains of events that lead to acting out. From there we determine how and why your choices for acting out are being made. Once we have clearly identifiable choices - Who are safe people? What are safe places, thoughts and activities for you? - the result is freely chosen behaviours, thoughts and companions more in keeping with core values. I specialize in those with sexually compulsive behaviours & their partners.

What emotions are your addiction trying to mask? What are you escaping from? Is your addiction costing you your relationship, your family, your work? Your addiction or dependency, is serving a purpose. Let’s explore, understand and uncover what that purpose is and what the core issues are. It’s time to lead a healthier and more intentional life.

It is not uncommon for people who are struggling with grief and/or trauma to also struggle with addictions. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, shopping, food can become unhealthy coping strategies that strip us of our entire lives as we know it. I'm here to tell you that it is possible for you to reclaim your life...if you desire to...it won't be easy but it will be worth it. I grew up in an alcoholic home. I fell in love with people who were addicted. I understand the havoc addictions can inflict upon individuals and families. I also understand the freedom that comes when addictions aren't an active part of your life anymore.

As humans we inherently have a strong urge to avoid pain, and we will do so even at a great cost to ourselves. Pain avoidance is a primary driver behind addictions of all types, so most addiction treatments seek to address this. While the experience of pain, including emotional pain - sadness, fear, anxiety, etc. is real – these feelings do not need to run a person’s life. Therapy guides the development of acceptance-based skills, mindfulness techniques and self-compassion in order to change the relationship the addicted person has with painful thoughts and feelings rather than using harmful strategies to repress them.

Addiction is the outward expression of the emotional turmoil you are feeling. Usually, escaping your painful emotions is driving the addiction. Unfortunately, addiction can take on a life of it's own. Because of this, we need to carefully consider intensive in-patient treatment as an option. It will be your choice and I can support you in a referral for such treatment. It is possible to work with addiction by reaching under the addiction to the emotional turmoil you want to avoid. In working with trauma, past abuse, low self-esteem, etc. we can build up your core self to be strong and grounded. In this way, addictions has no role or function in your life once you embrace who you truly are.

Addiction can destroy lives and counselling can help a person with their addiction as well as heal hurts that have resulted from the behaviors that were a result of the addiction. Counselling also can educate clients on what addiction is and what it does to the body and mind as well give clients tools to be able to rebuild their lives and find meaning without the crutch of drugs or alcohol.

Feeling trapped in a cycle of addiction? Are you using to escape reality? Do you feel like you can't function without your addictive crutches? Do you struggle to control your cravings, and your loved ones are worried? If any of any of this sounds familiar, counselling can help. Let's work together to break free from the chains of addiction and regain control of your life. Imagine building stronger relationships with family and friends, living a healthier life, and finding emotional balance and inner peace. Take the first step towards a brighter future today. Book your free 15-minute consultation now.