Addictions - Including Substances Biofeedback

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.

Biofeedback, Brief Therapy, Gestalt Therapy

Biofeedback therapy trains the patient to control their physiological processes, including heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, muscle tension and brain wave activity (neurofeedback)".

Biofeedback commonly includes approaches such as: thermal biofeedback, surface electromyography (sEMG), respiration, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and skin conductance.  Some practitioners provide only neurofeedback (brain wave biofeedback), and some do not provide neurofeedback at all.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers biofeedback therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Brief therapy focuses on a client's present and future, rather than his or her past and it builds solutions. Many brief therapists never explore their clients' past problems, but rather focus on the present with goals for creating a positive future.

Psychologists who offer brief therapy take a more pro-active approach to offer faster care for subjective and clinical conditions. This type of therapy creates natural resources and temporarily suspends disbelief to help the client consider a range of new viewpoints or perspectives. It provides a wider context for the client to view the present, and better understandings that can bring about spontaneous change.

Unlike other therapies that focus on the problem, brief therapy is solution-based. It removes the factors that sustain a problem and prevent change. Brief therapists understands that there are many approaches that, combined, can bring about ultimate success.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers brief therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Gestalt Therapy helps clients to understand the connection between their physical bodies and emotional states. When a person understands their internal motivations, it is easier to understand the external behaviours and reactions. Gestalt Therapy can help a client to develop that awareness through self-discovery. It will empower a client to develop coping skills to help him or her through stressful situations.

Gestalt Therapy beliefs that we all have all the answers within us, and it can help us to develop a greater sense of acceptance, of ourselves and of other people. As such, Gestalt Therapy can help people to improve relationships, improve decision making and gain confidence. It is a useful approach for dealing with a range of psychological issues, including PTSD, addiction, anxiety, tension and depression.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Gestalt Therapy, please browse our list of practitioners below..

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

Carol Whaley

M.S.W., RSW
We are all on our own individual, unique personal journey through life. There is no one right way to heal or one single approach to therapy. There are various issues that come up in life, from every day life... Read more

Faye Shedletzky

M.Ed., CCC
    • Online booking
Are you a highly sensitive person or empath struggling with anxiety, overwhelm or grief as you navigate your days?  These are complicated times and you are not alone in this struggle.  It is possible to find... Read more

Mary Smyth

M.Sc., CCC
    • Video on profile
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
I am a Certified Canadian Counsellor and I trained as an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist which enables me to work with clients drawing from  many modalities according to the individual client and what he... 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

Lindsay Stewart

M.S.W., RCSW
    • Article(s) on profile
At the heart of Integrative Psychotherapy is a respectful and sensitive attunement to the client’s inner world. This helps create a foundation of safety and trust on which all other work in therapy is built. As... Read more

Delyse Ledgard

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Article(s) on profile
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
To be understood, seen, feel the comfort of another’s presence is the heart of therapy.  With over 30 years of experience, I have encountered and worked with people from all walks of life helping... Read more

Iona Monk

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counselor who meets with couples and individuals in private practice in Vancouver. I have been working with couples for over twenty years in private practice. I am a graduate of both... Read more

Youki Kato

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology and a certified Expressive Arts Therapist. I have expertise in helping people who have experienced Domestic Violence or are... Read more

Grant McMahon

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC # 11135) and psychotherapist working in Vancouver.  I can help you if you are struggling with low mood, depression, anxiety/panic, or problems in your marriage or intimate... Read more

Aliona Sydorenko

M.Ed., RCC
At the heart of my practice is a belief that bringing light to what pains us, with openness, kindness and compassion, helps us connect to our natural healing capacity. As a counsellor, I bring my knowledge, experience... Read more

David Holmes

M.A., RCC
David provides Individual and Couples Counselling. He is an Adlerian Psychotherapist, Registered Clinical Counsellor, and a Canadian Certified Counsellor at Clear Counselling private practice in downtown Vancouver.... Read more

Alistair Gordon

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Director of Wellspring Counselling Inc., as well as an Adjunct Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia, my mission is to help you navigate the... Read more

Robert Phillips

MC, RCC
How long will this last? Am I doomed to feel like this forever? It’s possible that you may be asking these questions. You might also be feeling alone - like no one else truly understands what you’re going... Read more
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    • Online booking
Feeling lost, misunderstood, stuck? I have been there. Besides being an experienced therapist, I am also a child of divorce, immigrant, wife, and mother. My own healing journey and continuing professional... Read more

Svetlana Vasilyeva

M.C., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master of Counselling Degree from City University of Seattle. My previous education and experience was in medicine (M.D. from Kuban State Medical University in Russia with a... Read more

Isaac Rosenberg

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #18234) based in Victoria, British Columbia. I work with individuals and couples, in person or online. I bring a holistic approach to my work, and prioritize collaboration... Read more

Rochelle Chapman

M.A., RCC
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Counselling can be a way to grow while facing difficult circumstances. It can also be about building resources or heading in a new direction. In each case, you have the opportunity to become more yourself. Whatever... Read more

Trevor Warren

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
With over 30 years as a Relationship & Sexual Intimacy therapist, and supported well over a 1,000 couples, Trevor Warren Trevor has earned the reputation of "Relationship Expert" in the... Read more

Jeff Darcy

M.S.W., RCSW
Are you feeling stuck? Is your life out of balance? Would you like to experience more joy, passion, and productivity? In a friendly, nurturing environment, I will guide you on a journey of self-discovery where you can... Read more

Sean Scott

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
If you are reading this, it means you might be considering counselling. I am excited for you! But first, it is important to find a counsellor you think you’ll fit with. So here is a bit about me and my experience... Read more

Lisa Bylsma

M.Ed., RCC
Currently accepting new clients. Available for in-person sessions in Nanaimo or virtual sessions anywhere in BC. After over 12 years working as a counsellor within government and non-profit organizations, I have... Read more

Brenna King

M.A., RCC
Brenna King has a Masters degree and is a registered member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.  She offers her private practice in North Vancouver  (Lonsdale and 20th).  She... Read more
    • Online booking
Tiffani works with Individuals and Couples (+18).   Tiffani believes that clients are their own experts, and only need guidance and support to discover what lies beneath their conscious awareness. Therapy... Read more

Erica Beauchamp

M.Ed., RCC
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    • Online booking
Counselling is a Smart Investment in Yourself From time to time, we reward ourselves with a treat-a cup of coffee, a new electronic gadget, a massage, perhaps a new watch or clothing. However, we often forget the... Read more

Isabella Jiang

M.A., RCC
As a bilingual counsellor fluent in both English and Chinese, I offer a unique perspective that bridges Western and Chinese cultures to help clients discover their unique identities. My counselling approach is... Read more

Annette Kasahara

M.Ed., RCC
As a Coach and Therapist Annette Kasahara provides a safe environment of acceptance and encouragement to allow clients to achieve their goals at a pace they determine. Her commitment is to assist clients to recognize... Read more

Jason Lehmann

M.A., RCC
*NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS, CASH, CHEQUE, OR E-TRANSFER *Over 11 years of clinical practice.  Some Information about the work  Clients present a number of problem areas, or life issues. Jason... Read more

Molly Mo

M.Ed., RCC
Molly Liwen Mo M.Ed., R.C.C., LCP., CP., TEP My name is Molly. I provide services in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese. Call me at 6049159111 or email me to enhance and create the lifestyle... Read more

Stanley Cornfield

M.Ed., RCC
  Thanks for checking out my profile. If you are looking for a counsellor, chances are you are feeling stuck and frustrated with a personal or relational issue. This can cause ... Read more

Agata Burdziuk

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
COUNSELLING ~ PSYCHOTHERAPY ~ SOUL WORK Agata holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and a past member of the... Read more