Addictions - Online Gaming Online / Virtual / Telehealth Counselling

Addictions - Online Gaming

Online gaming addiction affects people of all ages, including children. As with other addictions, online gaming addicts use computer or video games as an escape from the problems in their lives. Games offer players complete control, and this intoxicating world causes their brains to release endorphins that cause a high similar to what drug addicts experience.

There is a specific danger attached to children with online gaming addiction, as they are often so attached to virtual reality that they have lost their ability to communicate naturally and comfortably with real people. In cases where children become addicted at a very young age, they may never have developed that ability at all.

It is often hard for people to quit something when it's always in front of you and when everyone else is doing it. Online gaming addiction involves players thinking about and wanting to play games all the time, and getting angry when they can't. They may be unable to talk about anything that doesn't involve gaming and as a result, it will impact on relationships. Adults with online gaming addiction may spend a lot of money on buying games and peripherals and enter tournaments and more. It may affect their work and family lives as well.

The therapists below are some of the few who acknowledge this "new" phenomenon, and they use a range of treatment approaches to help people with online gaming addiction. They will challenge beliefs that steer harmful behaviors and help patients to develop coping skills. Behavioral changes are implemented using a step-by-step method while dealing with underlying issues, such as social anxiety, depression and other issues.

Since online gaming addiction often goes hand-in-hand with other conditions, such as pornography addiction or online gambling, it is important to find a therapist who can help with that too.

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

Online / Virtual / Telehealth Counselling, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

Online Counselling or Online Internet Psychotherapy uses common technology to create major shifts in clients' emotional health. It is suitable to clients who wish to enjoy therapy from the comfort of their own homes, and therapists have noticed an increase in patients seeking help using this medium.

In order to attend online counselling sessions, clients and the therapist need access to fast internet connections and webcams. Online counselling is particularly useful for clients who can't leave home, or live far away from a therapist.

While online counselling is effective for helping with anxiety and other emotional conditions, it does not replace medical assistance in emergencies.

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

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy encompasses a range of six principles that aim to help clients develop greater psychological flexibility. The six principles include:

1. Cognitive defusion help to reduce tendencies to regard thoughts, memories and emotions as real and concrete events.

2. Acceptance is about allowing the thoughts to surface and pass without the need to allow them to interfere with daily life.

3.  Being present means being aware of current existence and being involved with the now.

4. Self observation helps the client to be aware of the self and the unchanging consciousness.

5. Exploring values to discover those that are most important to the person.

6. Committed action involves setting goals based on the explored values, and setting actions in place to reach those goals.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy and is commonly used in therapy, and in it's sub-forms and helpful for a range of conditions, including OCD. If you require Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, have a look at the counsellors listed below.

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

Robyn Kozak

M.Ed., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Whether it is struggles with trauma, anxiety, pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, relationships, or mood, I support individuals with identifying what they want to be different in their life and co-creating a... Read more

Angeline Vaughan

M.A., RCC
Angeline is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (#10058) and a member in good standing with the British Columbia Association of Clinical counsellors (BCACC). Angeline holds a Masters of Arts degree in Counselling... Read more

Megan Hughes

M.A., Registered Psychology Assistant
*Now offering video and phone sessions.* *My practice is currently accepting new clients, to book please email/call: info@stillwatercounselling.com / 604-734-2779.* Megan Hughes has been counselling in... Read more

Vicki McCabe

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Are you stressed at work and can’t sleep at night? Feeling worried, stuck and overwhelmed? I understand that these experiences can lead to feelings of loss – loss of control, loss of freedom, and loss of... Read more

Utku Ucay

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
Life’s hardships can break us into pieces. We may feel like we want to throw in the towel. We might lose our confidence in ourselves. We might be oppressed, feeling depressed. We might feel lonely. We might be... Read more
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
With over a decade of experience as a clinical counsellor, I am dedicated to helping clients navigate life’s challenges and transitions. My commitment lies in creating a secure, non-judgmental, and confidential... Read more

Beverley Anderson

M.S.W., RSW
Beverley Anderson, M.S.W., RSW, CPF (Certified Parenting Facilitator) and Compassionate Bereavement Care Certified Provider I am a therapist who is committed to providing a safe, supportive space for individuals to... Read more

Jennifer Baker

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
This is definitely not what you expected. You may have thought that everything would fall perfectly into place, that being or becoming a parent would be the most natural thing in the world. Now, you’re finding... Read more

Sofia Daulat

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Life experiences can leave us feeling stressed, anxious, inadequate and even hopeless. At times we feel lost, as we struggle to navigate the pain and discomfort we are feeling and may be unsure of how to take steps... Read more

Emily Macdonell

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
You can connect with me for in-person/online sessions through Providence Therapy and Neurofeedback (Vancouver, BC) as well as through Aster Wellness Centre (Port Coquitlam, BC).  At both practices, you can... Read more

Mila Skeeles

M.A., CCC
Like many people, I grew up in an environment where we didn’t talk about our struggles and emotions. From an early age, I learned to keep the difficult things inside and deal with my emotions on my own. Although I... Read more

Adrienne Wang

Ph.D., R.Psych
We all have the potential to make meaningful changes to lead the lives we desire.  I specialize in helping adults with various concerns such as obsessions and/or compulsions, chronic worrying, social anxiety,... Read more
    • Online booking
As you take the step towards finding a therapist, it’s important to find someone with whom you resonate,  as well as someone whose approach seems to fit for you.   Married, mom of 3 young... Read more

Jennifer Allen

M.S.W., RSW
IN-Sight Mind Body Wellness is home to a dedicated team of counsellors, social workers, and psychologists committed to supporting individuals through everyday challenges or mental health struggles, like anxiety,... Read more

Angela Fu

Psy.D., R.Psych
    • Online booking
I take an open and non-judgemental approach in therapy to attune to each individual’s unique needs. My theoretical approach to treatment is integrative and informed primarily by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT... Read more

Robin Willis

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
It takes courage to reach out and seek help - to not go it alone. If you have found your way here, you have taken a brave first step. Life might not offer a clear handbook, and at times, our internal stories may... Read more

Emily Coughlin

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Hi - I’m Emily (she/her), a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC. I provide counselling for individuals with a focus on infertility, perinatal mental health, parenting, relationships, and meaning making. Many of... Read more

Rawda Tomoum

M.Sc., RCC
    • Online booking
My areas of focus: Couples stuck in fighting, withdrawal, and disconnection, who feel alone, unheard, and misunderstood in their relationship no matter what they do to make it work. Individuals struggling ... Read more

Lisa Yeates

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Do you feel hooked by painful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that pull you away from the person you want to be? Work with me to explore how to live life with meaning, to move on from the past and build skills to... Read more

Joseph Tse

Ph.D., R.Psych
I am Registered Psychologist (#2491) in British Columbia. I enjoy working with adults on a variety of psychological concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress management, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).... Read more

Rae Morris

Ph.D. (cand), RCSW
About me: I am a cisgender woman (she/her pronouns) and settler on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territories of the Coast Salish Peoples. I am a Registered Clinical Social Worker who provides private... Read more

Kendra Antony

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Hello! I'm Kendra (she/her), Registered Clinical Counsellor and owner of Hope Stone Counselling. I’m so glad you’re here.  Since 2006, I’ve had the privilege of being invited into people... Read more

Mary Munro

M.A., RCC
I can help. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in Vic West, close to downtown.  Counselling can help you function better.  You may feel calmer and more effective, or find insights, meet... Read more

John Woychuk

M.A., CCC
    • Blog on profile
I'm here to provide a safe space for you in your time of distress, crisis or loss. Safety begins with connecting with another human being and not being alone in your struggle. Whatever is happening for you will be... Read more

Leslie Stewart

M.Couns., RCC
    • In-Person Sessions
Thank you for choosing to read about me and the services I offer. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #16706) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). I have a Master of Counselling... Read more

Ann Downie

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Ann meets people from a position of warmth, compassion, openness and curiosity. She has a deep commitment to connect and work alongside individuals and families to develop an authentic, trusting relationship, and offers... Read more

Nicole Paley

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Drawing from the latest research on neuroscience, mindfulness and attachment theory, I'm a warm, client-centered therapist who views therapy as an opportunity to compassionately work with what's creating... Read more

Bonnie Zargari

M.A., CCC
    • Online booking
Bonnie Zargari is a Canadian Certified Clinical Counselor who sees clients in person, online or via telephone.  Her main clinical focus is working with adolescents and adults with depression, anxiety and/or... Read more

Lucia Pecnikova

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Creating a safe space where you feel heard and seen is my priority and I consider my work a privilege as we create a secure therapeutic relationship to support your healing process and inner exploration. I have a master... Read more

Lisa Devine

M.Ed., RCC
In my twenty plus years experience working in the community and public school system, I have supported a variety of folks including: children, youth, adults, couples and families. I seek to help clients recognize... Read more