Addictions - Including Substances Self Regulation Therapy (SRT)

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.

Self Regulation Therapy (SRT), EMDR

Self Regulation Therapy (SRT) offers a mind-body approach to reducing excess nervous activation. With roots in neurobiology, SRT reflects the human's built-in automatic response to threat or novelty.

The nervous system changes as the result of negative events, but Self Regulation Therapy (SRT) helps the nervous system to integrate these events and balance the nervous system.

Self Regulation Therapy (SRT) takes place in a contained environment where the client feels safe. It helps to develop new neural pathways to help the client to develop flexibility and to better handle daily stresses and challenges.

Self Regulation Therapy (SRT) can help the symptoms of dysregulation, including mood disorders, personality disorders, PTSD, stress and anxiety disorders, and physical issues such as chronic pain, asthma, migraines and insomnia.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Self Regulation Therapy (SRT), please browse our list of practitioners below..

EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy uses a range of processes to address the full clinical situation. Dual stimulation is one of the key elements and the therapist will use tools such as bilateral eye movements, taps or tones.

Reprocessing involves the client momentarily attending to triggers, past memories or anticipated future events, all the while focusing on the supplied external stimulus. Normally, the client will experience memory changes, new associations and insights. EMDR has been found to be incredibly useful for processing past and present trauma that can continue to impact an individual in many ways.

There are eight phases to EMDR treatment and the therapist will devise a treatment plan during the first phase, and equip the client with the necessary coping skills in the second phase. Phases 3-6 cover the actual EMDR treatment, described above. Phase 7 is about closure, while phase eight is all about re-evaluation of the process.

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

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

Martha Isabel

M.A., RCC
You have important work to do in therapy, so a good fit is essential! I come to this meaningful work through my own emotional challenges. I know how it feels to be lost, depressed, anxious and in need of support as I... Read more

Shelley Ugyan

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
I have over 15 years experience working with low mood, stress, relationships, anxiety and eating disorders of all kinds. These underlying dysfunctional patterns can take many forms, therefore the treatment approach... Read more

JY Zhang

M.A., RMFT
    • Online booking
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” -- Laurell K. Hamilton  JY holds a warm, safe, and accepting space for who you are and... Read more

Yana Petronis

M.A., CCC
The world we inhabit is strange, varied, wondrous, and constantly evolving; we are too. We are shaped by our experiences, families, communities, ancestry, hopes, visions, loves, and losses—​and we are more... Read more

Tracy Lau

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Are you ready to break free from the ordinary and sculpt a life that's EXTRAORDINARY? Raise your hand if you are tired of living today the same way as you are living yesterday, and the day before that. On the... Read more

Leanne Cuddington

M.A., RCC
Leanne is a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Kitsilano. She obtained her Master’s degree in Somatic Counselling Psychology from Naropa University, Colorado and she has specialized credentials in Body... Read more

Graham Butler

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Life is filled with challenges, both visible and hidden, that can impede our growth and fulfillment in life. Whether internal or external, anchored in the past, present or future, these challenges can burden us with... Read more

Aigin Larki

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
My name is pronounced (Eye-gheen Lar-key) and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor in British Columbia. I am of Turkic Iranian descent, speak conversational French and Farsi and have lived in... Read more

Jordan Gruenhage

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Canadian Certified Counsellor who primarily works with gay men through online video counselling. As a gay man, do any of these sound familiar? I’m so... Read more

Laurel Aasen

M.C., RCC
It’s an honour and privilege to get to work alongside people as they make changes to create hopeful and fulfilling futures. I believe that change happens when we have the freedom to explore and expand who we are... Read more

Paige Mowbray

M.S.W., RCSW
    • Online booking
I am described as warm and down-to-earth, with a highly relational approach and trauma-informed perspective I specialize in grief /loss and trauma I worked for many years in the nonprofit sector with individuals... Read more

Johanna Simmons

M.A., RCC
I believe that families are the foundation of any society. As parents you create the future through your children. Occasionally we encounter challenges and need some encouragement to overcome these. I can provide... Read more

Medina Bandalli

MCP, CCC
    • Online booking
Have you been struggling with how you're feeling, thinking or doing? Do you think everyone else has it figured out and you’re behind, not good enough, or something is ‘wrong’ with you? First... Read more

Saeid Poursaeid

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a certified EMDR therapist with the British Columbia School of Professional Psychology. My cultural background affords me a unique insight into immigrants and second-generation... Read more

Jane Wyllychuk

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Welcome to Olive Counselling! I offer virtual counselling for Couples and Individuals. My areas of focus include Anxiety, Boundary setting, Infertility and Postpartum, People Pleasing, Stress and Grief and Loss. I am a... Read more

Danielle Peloquin

M.A., RCC
    • Blog on profile
    • Online booking
Are things out of balance? Tired of the same old patterns? Stuck? Taking care of mental wellness is like maintaining a vehicle. Anxiety, depression, relationship trouble and anger may mean it's time for a tune-up.... Read more

Neelam Olk

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Neelam Olk holds the designation of a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. In addition to her private practice, she has worked in outpatient mental health clinics with the... Read more

Amy Rappaport

M.S.W., RCC
Welcome! I work with people experiencing a variety of life transitions and life struggles.  A stressful life event, life change, or a recent loss can make it feel like your bottom has fallen out from under... Read more
    • Video on profile
    • 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

Begum Ozeke

MCP, RCC
Welcome! I support individuals and couples through a wide range of challenging issues and specialize in culturally-sensitive Trauma treatment. I have extensive training and experience working with adult survivors of... Read more

Maya Misic

Ph.D., RCC
    • Online booking
Since 2002, I’ve helped my clients break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back in life. Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled. I am here to help my clients achieve a more... Read more

Carole Boivin

M.Ed., RCC
I CURRENTLY HAVE SOME OPENINGS FOR NEW CLIENTS. Hi, As an experienced Registered Counsellor (23 years) and EMDR Therapist, I am passionate about helping others find resolution, healing & happiness in... Read more
    • Online booking
Dear clients, I am sending you my warmest greetings as you take this incredible step of showing up for yourself here. Life could be unbearable and confusing at times. I believe that the complexity of life is... 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

Dani Smith

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I know this step isn’t an easy one. Seeking therapy is brave; finding a counsellor that fits can be tricky; I’ve been there myself. My approach is multidimensional and personalized, drawing from various... Read more

Sarah Susswein

M.C., RCC
    • Online booking
Sarah Susswein, MC, RCC ✨Anxiety ✨Trauma / PTSD ✨Self Esteem / Self Worth ✨Neurodiversity Specialization (ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, etc.) ✨ICBC Approved Vendor with Direct Billing When... Read more

Sherry Moore

M.S.W., RCC
Hello, my name is Sherry. I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and a Registered Social Worker (RSW & MSW). Are you struggling with mental health and/or addiction? Have you experienced trauma in your life?... Read more

Rebecca Rauscher

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
I have over 15 years experience as a helping professional, first as an Occupational Therapist and then as a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Working with people is my passion! I love joining my clients on their... Read more

Ann Holroyd

Ph.D., RCC
Introduction People seek counselling for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes a crisis has arisen in your life that feels unresolvable without professional help; Or it maybe a significant events that has long since... Read more
I specialize in EMDR Therapy and Psychedelic Integration  Greetings, and welcome to my page. I am honoured, that you have chosen to learn more about my work. I am licensed practitioner in the art of healing... Read more