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.

Bullying in the workplace can cause social, psychological and physical injuries to the victims, the bystanders and the respective families.  While many people seek out legal help for workplace bullying, the court can't heal emotional scars.

Bullies prey on dysfunctional corporate systems to exert their perceived power over the victims. They can physically or emotionally harm the victim, causing several injuries and psychological trauma that ranges from PTSD to personality changes, social issues, panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression. In some cases, physical symptoms can also be the result of workplace bullying.

It is important to seek help as soon as bullying starts, to help you manage the effects of workplace bullying effectively. An experienced therapist will help you find strategies to block the bullying attempts and to assess your legal options and discuss the best ways to handle work-related issues.

A psychologist with workplace bullying therapy experience will also be the best person to speak to if you have been seriously injured as a result of workplace bullying. In some cases the treatment can be ongoing, depending on the severity of the emotional effects of the bullying. Therapy will help you recover from the emotional impact of the bullying and the ongoing legal and medical issues.

Therapists that have training in workplace bullying use a range of therapies, depending on the needs and symptoms of their individual clients. Treatment might include EMDR (rapid eye movement therapy) and cognitive behavioural therapy. Working with a therapist you like and trust will help you find better coping strategies and restore your self-esteem.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers therapy or counselling to address your workplace bullying issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Depression is the most common psychological condition, and most people experience it at one point or another in their lives.

Symptoms of depression include lethargy, low self esteem, a feeling of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, anxiety, dysphoric mood and even suicidal thoughts. People who are depressed usually feel a lack of energy and a lack of pleasure and they may be agitated or irritable.

Since there are so many causes to depression, which boils down to a natural response to life experiences (a defence mechanism), each situation warrants a thorough investigation into the exact catalyst. Depending on what causes a specific incidence of depression, a treatment plan can be developed to help the individual deal with his or her emotions.

Some people are predisposed to depression in that it can run in the family. In many cases, it is learned when someone is constantly exposed to it.

Counselling can help a person to adapt to life changes that are causing grief, particularly with bereavement or marital issues. Systemic therapy is helpful in family therapy, where the efforts of the whole family can help the individual. Psychodynamic therapy helps a person to find the hidden psychological defences that cause problems to manifest. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the problem at hand, providing solutions to day-to-day issues and finding ways to restructure negative thought patterns.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who has training and experience in depression counselling you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.