Addictions - Including Substances, Marriage and/or Relationship Issues Solution Focused Therapy

Addictions - Including Substances, Marriage and/or Relationship Issues

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.

Entering into a relationship means merging your life with another person, understanding his or her flaws, quirks and beliefs. With marriage rates declining and divorce statistics set at 50%, it is clear that people are increasingly challenged by marriage and relationship issues, and many lack effective ways to address them. So how can we bridge the gap to understanding our partners better and enjoying romantic bliss?

Many factors affect the interpersonal relationship between two partners who are a couple and sometimes it's hard to see the cause of conflict or friction in a relationship. While some people find divorce to be the best or only option, other people speak to counsellors and psychologists  in a bid to try salvage the relationship.

Signs that indicate a need for couples counselling include poor communication in a relationship, affairs, living past one another, inability to resolve marriage of couples' issues, and acting out negative feelings. When divorce seems like the only option, or if a couple is staying together for the kids' sake, that's a sure sign that therapy is needed.

Therapists do not necessarily  believe that all marriages can be salvaged, but counselling can often help even some of the most challenged relationships.  Through talk therapy, the couple will discover again why they fell in love and what they can do to get back to that place in their marriage. They use a range of effective, proven methods to help couples in any situation to restore intimacy and move past the hurt and wounds to a safe and comfortable place.

The concrete tools used by marriage therapists provide guidance in a supportive and encouraging setting and empower clients to restructure their thoughts and emotions. It helps the couple to work with each other, instead of on one another, helping each individual to find the person he or she is at the core level and to build a happy union.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with  couples you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

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

Ian Bond

M.A., RCC
Ian has over 25 years of education, training, and experience in counselling and therapy.  He works together with clients to help them explore relationships, thoughts, feelings, or behaviours, which... 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

Jordan Penner

M.A., RCC
Jordan has been helping people access their strengths and overcome challenges for the past 15 yearsl; with a focus on building skills that create lasting solutions.  True change comes from... Read more

Rosanne Johnson

M.A., RCC
  As a counsellor, Rosanne offers therapy to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Greater Vancouver and Burnaby. She understands how important it is for these populations to have a... Read more

Nicklas Ehrlich

M.S.W., RCC
I help you get to the root of your problems, train your brain to be more resilient, overwrite unwanted default programming, and finally feel equipped to live a balanced and optimal life. 95% of your thoughts and... Read more

Andrea Johnson

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
I specialize in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and work with couples, family members, and individuals who want to break free from negative patterns of interaction, heal, and build resilience. When one feels... Read more

Shannon Simms

M.A., CCC
For over 19 years I have been working with people struggling with various challenges, including stress, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationships, and life transitions. During challenging times, our experiences can... Read more

Ginnie Cramer

MC, RCC
**My practice is currently full. If you would like to be placed on my waiting list please e-mail me indicating this** ***Due to the Covid-19 circumstances I will be doing telephone and video... Read more

David Brown

M.S.W., RCSW
Most of us want to make changes and improvements in our life, yet we tend to rely on the same old approaches (or habits) despite our best intentions. My approach to counselling is to support people to experiment with... 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

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

Lola OpacicLunot

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

John Taylor

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Relationships make the world go round; they can also make your world miserable when things aren't working. I am a trained couples counsellor with the tools and intuition to help you improve... Read more

Mark Ring

M.A., RCC
I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology. With over fifteen years of experience and a commitment to ongoing education/training I can help you.  Whether you need a... Read more

Sanela Jakovljev

M.Couns., RCC
Are you tired of waking up to chronic pain each day, struggling to convey spoon theory to those who don't understand, or feeling dismissed by professionals who should be there to help? As a registered clinical... Read more

Raheel Rahman

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
  Raheel Rahman is committed to providing compassion and support to help you through many life issues.   RAHEEL RAHMAN CAN HELP YOU WITH: Anxiety in adults and children Depression in adults... Read more

Clara Morgan

M.S.W., RSW
Clara is an RSW and an RCC.  She is a therapist who provides a safe, non-judgmental, and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming space for all of her clients to share and explore their stories. She is compassionate and... 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
As a Psychotherapist, Leadership / Peak Performance Coach, and Facilitator, I’m here to support you.   I have a Master’s Certificate in Values-Based Leadership from Royal Roads University and a... 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

Amanda MacIntyre

M.C., RCC
Your current circumstances don't dictate where you'll end up. They serve as a starting point for change. We all have the potential to move forward, sometimes having support is the key to getting there. My... Read more

Nina Hopmeier

M.Couns., RCC
    • Video on profile
Have you been feeling overwhelmed lately by your emotions and life’s demands? Do you sometimes feel like you have exhausted your coping resources and are stuck with where you are? It’s so easy to let these... Read more

Doug Elliott

M.A., RCC
What I do: rethink is a professional counselling service run by Doug Elliott, with offices in Vancouver's West End and on Bowen Island.  I hold a Masters Degree in counselling psychology and have extensive... Read more

Dennis Dion

M.A., RCC
Often in the beginning, people share being tired of struggling with one or more of the following: depression anxiety addiction (substances, gambling, pornography) disordered eating or self-harm "... Read more

Lee Lourdeaux

Ph.D., RCSW
For my list of post-graduate trainings, please see my website. Everyone's story is unique and no therapy session follows a predictable path. Yet the following steps provide a general outline of how your therapy... Read more

Jim Browning

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Browning has been a registered psychologist in the Vancouver area since 1980. He has worked extensively in the areas of mental health, family violence, addictions, men's issues, trauma recovery and employee... Read more

Janice Bell

M.S.W., RCC
Janice has had a private practice for 25 years, twenty of those in Nanaimo.Her office location provides comfort, confidentiality and convenience. Herschedule is structured to meet the needs of clients.Janice... Read more

Sharon Southey

M.A., RCC
Sharon Southey is a skilled professional with a nursing background, who has been counselling people since 1992. She likes to work with individuals who are teenage or adult, families of all types and couples,... Read more

Ron Prasad

M.A., RCC
Hello, NAJ therapies is a shared practice run by Ron Prasad.  Ron is a registered clinical counselor with the BCACC (British Columbia Clinical Counselors Association), and a member of ITAPP (International... Read more