Addictions - Including Substances, Depression Counsellors

Addictions - Including Substances, Depression

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.

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.

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

Donna Steadman

Donna Steadman

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Langley, my job is to help you feel better.    Whether you are struggling with relationship issues, suffering from the pain and paralysis of depression, or... Read more
cheyenne ling

cheyenne ling

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Starting therapy to address various challenges such as trauma, anxiety, addiction, depression, and self-esteem can feel overwhelming. My personal journey of healing has taught me the importance of a welcoming space... Read more
Sherry Moore

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
Clara Morgan

Clara Morgan

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
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
Saeid Poursaeid

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
Ian Bond

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
Jim Browning

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
Ryan Steuer

Ryan Steuer

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
I am now accepting ICBC benefits for counselling services! :-) Even though you may not know it right now, you were made to be bent and broken tested and torn. You have it within you to heal, and I would feel... Read more
Jue Wang

Jue Wang

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Thank you for stopping at my page; no matter what bought you here, I want to congratulate you on taking the first step to seek help.  I work with clients who struggle with depression, eating disorders... Read more
Jordan Penner

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
Angeline Vaughan

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
Mike Mathers

Mike Mathers

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a Clinical Counsellor with 15 years of experience working in residential and outpatient treatment programs with both individuals and groups. I have a passion for helping individuals and families impacted by... Read more
Kathleen Beaton

Kathleen Beaton

M.Couns., RCC
Sometimes dealing with life’s difficulties can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, alone, or unable to cope. You may notice patterns in your life that continuously leave you stranded in the same stuck places,... Read more
Nina Hopmeier

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
Chris Walker

Chris Walker

M.A., CCC
“At some time or other, we all find ourselves unable to cope with life’s difficulties. The aim of counseling is to help you deal with these or other issues, so that you can get on with a meaningful and... Read more
Danielle Holtjer

Danielle Holtjer

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Hi I’m Dani and I’m a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Clinical Director at Skylark Counselling! I have worked in the counselling field for over a decade and have had the pleasure of gaining hands-on... Read more
Deborrah Dunne

Deborrah Dunne

Ph.D., RCC
The decision to go for counselling often arises in the face of crisis and overwhelm. It can also come about because we are tired of dragging our issues along with us through days, weeks, months and even years. My goal... Read more
Vijay Mann

Vijay Mann

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
People are unique individuals with unique experiences. We all bring distinct histories and concerns to therapy. I respect your story and your concerns, and will provide support in a way that will work for you. ... Read more
Tannis Hugill

Tannis Hugill

M.A., RCC
    • Article(s) on profile
I am a Dance-movement and Drama Therapist, BC Clinical Counsellor and Spiritual Director with an MA in Somatic Psychology. I bring over thirty-five years of experience to my work with individuals, groups, adolescents... Read more
Naoko Sasaki

Naoko Sasaki

M.A., RCC
Are you struggling with high stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, or trauma and PTSD? Would you like to ease your emotional pain by gaining tools to self-regulate and... Read more
Heather Deans

Heather Deans

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Hi, I’m Heather and I bring many years of experience with me as both a counsellor and clinical supervisor for other mental health professionals. I work with people to help figure out what is at the root of their... Read more
Mehran Seyed Emami

Mehran Seyed Emami

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a BC Registered Clinical Counsellor (No. 18736) and Canadian Certified Counsellor (No. 10007447). I'm also a Certified Practitioner of Compassionate Inquiry (a model developed by Dr. Gabor Maté), and... Read more
Aaron Johnstone

Aaron Johnstone

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
I tend to work with young adults who, in one way or another, are struggling to change. They often have the frustrating sense that they're getting in their own way, but aren't entirely sure how, why, or what... Read more
Megan Sutherland

Megan Sutherland

M.S.W., RCSW
Warm, accepting, inclusive and practical best describes my personal therapeutic style. I also place a high value on careful listening, empathy, professional ethics and accountability.  I believe that all people... Read more
Dennis Dion

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
Emmalee Brunt

Emmalee Brunt

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
Emmalee offers in person counselling in Victoria, BC, as well as phone and online video counselling sessions for clients across British Columbia. She works with individual clients and welcomes clients from all gender... Read more
Shahrzad Jamali
Shahrzad has her Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Trinity Western University. She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology with an emphasis on neuroscience from University of British Columbia. She has... Read more
Joy Schellenberg

Joy Schellenberg

M.A., RCC
Are you tired of feeling stuck or dissatisfied with how your life is going?  Maybe you’ve been struggling for awhile. You’re fed up or overwhelmed and you don’t know where to turn. It... Read more
Lee Cassels

Lee Cassels

M.A., RCC
Lee Cassels is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who sees clients in her office which located in the Port Moody area.    Often people find themselves drawn to counselling sites when they have reached a... Read more
Nadia Oomer

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