Addictions - Including Substances Counsellors

Addictions - Including Substances

While some people can use prescription or recreational drugs with no negative effects, many others become addicted and face dramatic health and lifestyle problems as a result. Substance addictions negatively affect relationships, home, school or work, leaving the person feeling ashamed, helpless and isolated.

Physical symptoms of substance abuse and addiction are varied depending on the drug of choice, but the symptoms of the addiction itself are similar. People who are addicted to substances may neglect their responsibilities, take potentially dangerous risks and get into trouble with the law. As their drug use spirals out of control, they will lose interest in activities that used to be enjoyable and continue to take drugs despite knowing the harm it causes.

Substance addicts tend to build up a tolerance to their drug of choice, and get angry when they can't get more of it. Withdrawal symptoms are highly probable when an addict goes without it for too long. Depression, nausea, insomnia, sweating, restlessness, anxiety and shaking are all common withdrawal symptoms.

Psychotherapy can help you to overcome substance addiction by focusing on correcting maladaptive behaviors. Substance abuse is usually a coping mechanism against emotionally overwhelming past events or memories. Substances are often used to provide instant gratification instead of facing certain issues.

Therapists are equipped to help clients deal with addiction recovery through empowerment and helping them set simple short term targets. The first target is sobriety, followed by empowering the client with adaptive skills and finding new coping strategies that deal with the issues that caused the addiction. Substance addiction can be ended, allowing the person to live a healthy, productive life.

If you need a counsellor or psychologist to help you address the effects of substance addiction, you can search the directory below to find a professional with the approach best suited to your situation.

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Anna Nicol

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, my name is Anna! I'm a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BCACC, and I have worked with a wide range of client presenting concerns, including acute, chronic, and complex trauma, depression... Read more

Kaitlin Harvey

MCP, RCC
Hello! My name is Kaitlin and I’m an RCC with the BCACC with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counselling from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. I’m a former middle school teacher who pivoted... Read more

Jordan Levi-Matin

Ph.D., RCC
I frequently see clients struggling with a range of challenges, including: depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, loneliness, anger, chronic pain, and the increasingly common 'trifecta' of 21st... Read more

John Wagner

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Wagner is a registered psychologist in British Columbia and Director of the DBT Centre of Vancouver. Dr. Wagner assists adolescent and adult client's struggling with a variety of problems including depression... Read more

Pam Vickram

M.S.W., RSW
If you are struggling with mental health, family issues, trauma, self-esteem or simply wanting to engage in the therapeutic process, I look forward to working with you. I support individuals and couples to navigate a... Read more

Kelsey Webster

MCP, RCC
Hello! I provide holistic, trauma-informed clinical counselling for adults and youth healing from mental health challenges, trauma and/or substance use issues. My counselling approach uses somatic (body based... Read more

Chris Walker

M.A., CCC
“At some time or other, we all find ourselves unable to cope with life’s difficulties. The aim of counseling is to help you deal with these or other issues, so that you can get on with a meaningful and... Read more

Kevin Kraussler

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
My name is Kevin (he/him) and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor who sees clients in Vancouver. I hold a Master's of Counselling Psychology degree and have extensive experience in treating individuals dealing... Read more

Paul Bains

M.A., RCC
Paul Bains, B.Sc., M.A., RCC is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. He has over 25 years experience working with couples, families, children, adolescents and individual adults. Benefits you may gain or learn... Read more

Scott Harrison

M.A., RCC
Scott is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Scott weaves the science and art of clinical counselling into therapeutic conversations that focus on solutions and strengths... Read more

Matty Devenish

M.S.W., RSW
Many people express feeling stuck with the issue or problem they are facing. In fact, many people's lives are completely consumed by the issue they are facing. Having worked in the counselling field since 2006, I... Read more

Joanne Schwartz

M.S.W., RSW
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
I can help you achieve: Relief from negative thinking, anxiety and depression. Better coping mechanisms to help you overcome addictive or destructive behaviours. Balance in your day-to-day life. I aim to... Read more

Nadia Oomer

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and have been working in the mental health and substance abuse sector for over twelve years. I work with clients with a wide variety of psychological, health and life problems... Read more

Bill Arbuckle

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
At Hard Road Counselling we want to hear and understand you.  As life unfolds, you got hurt.  You carry these wounds with you, but feel fewer people want to listen, and you feel more alone... Read more

Lola OpacicLunot

M.S.W., RSW
If you're contemplating counselling, it's a positive step towards addressing any challenges or issues you might be facing. Counselling can offer numerous benefits, regardless of whether you're dealing with... Read more

Sandra Neil

M.A., RCC
Starr Wellness & Recovery BILINGUAL - ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS - Youth, Parent, Family and Adults. Through my 2 decades of counselling experience, I have come to believe that a better understanding of ourselves is... Read more

Deborrah Dunne

Ph.D., RCC
The decision to go for counselling often arises in the face of crisis and overwhelm. It can also come about because we are tired of dragging our issues along with us through days, weeks, months and even years. My goal... Read more

Lisa Robic

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Hello, I'm Lisa and I'm a Registered Social Work Therapist in Princeton, Tulameen, and the surrounding rural areas. My goal is to contribute to my local communities by providing flexible and low-barrier... Read more

Mary Longworth

M.Sc., RCC
Mary Longworth is in private practice (Delta Counselling) in the South Delta, Tsawwassen, Ladner and New Westminster regions since receiving her M.Sc. in marital, family and child counselling in 1995. Mary is a... Read more

Nancy B Matechuk

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Nancy B. Matechuk , MC, RCC Registered Clinical Counsellor Nancy has over 20 years of experience as counsellor, mediator with a broad range of specialized training supporting... Read more

Jyoti Gill

M.A., RCC
I believe that we ALL have the power to heal ourselves. This means that this power resides in YOU too. If that’s hard to believe, I hope that you will grant yourself the opportunity to discover it. In our work... Read more

Tiffany Brown

M.A., CCC
  Tiffany Brown, MA, CCC is honoured to work with folks who've experienced or have been affected by abuse from a partner, other forms of gender-based violence including sexual assault, or any form... Read more

Mark Choi

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
I am an individual and family therapist who works with youth, adults and families who are feeling overwhelmed. Common struggles include social and emotional challenges, mental health and/or substance use concerns. I... Read more

Harjeet Sahota

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Addiction is often stigmatized and kept secret despite the painful effects it has on sufferers and their families. If you or someone you care for is struggling any form of addiction be it substance or behavioural,... Read more

Heather Deans

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, I’m Heather and I bring many years of experience with me as both a counsellor and clinical supervisor for other mental health professionals. I work with people to help figure out what is at the root of their... Read more

Larissa Szlavik

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Humans are amazing, complex beings. Life is messy. I am prepared to talk about all of it. Often the conversations I am engaged in with folks include topics of trauma, abuse, colonial violence, sexual assault, and... Read more

Tannis Hugill

M.A., RCC
    • Article(s) on profile
I am a Dance-movement and Drama Therapist, BC Clinical Counsellor and Spiritual Director with an MA in Somatic Psychology. I bring over thirty-five years of experience to my work with individuals, groups, adolescents... Read more
    • Online booking
Hi I’m Laurie, and I understand how lonely it can be to feel that there are things you can’t talk about with anyone in your life. I have experience working with folks who have dual diagnoses of mental health... Read more

Kimberly Clarke

M.S.W., RCSW
    • Online booking
Hello. I am a registered clinical social worker with a master's degree in social work from Lakehead University. My practice includes over 20 years of experience working with both youth and adults in a variety... Read more

Mark Holland

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
A Registered Clinical Counsellor serving Vancouver since 2015, Mark helps clients uncover realistic, pragmatic solutions to their problems. Identified as a leader in his field, Mark works with clients to leverage... Read more