Addictions Therapy

What is Addictions Therapy?

If you are struggling with addiction, therapy can be a crucial step towards recovery and reclaiming your life. Addiction often stems from underlying issues such as trauma, mental health disorders, or chronic stress, and we provide a safe space to explore these root causes. Through various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), you can gain insights into your addictive behaviours and develop healthier coping mechanisms. We also offer support in managing cravings and triggers, helping you to build resilience and maintain sobriety.

Moreover, therapy can play a significant role in rebuilding relationships and restoring trust that may have been damaged by addiction. By addressing both the psychological and social aspects of addiction, we empower you to make lasting changes and improve your overall quality of life. Seeking therapy is a courageous and proactive step towards healing and long-term recovery.

addictions therapy

  • Substance users - alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication

  • Behavioral addicts - gambling, gaming, or shopping

  • Co-occurring addiction and other mental health disorders

  • Adolescents and young adults who are dependent on substances or addictive behaviours

Who is Addictions Therapy for?

  • Family members of those living with addictions

  • Individuals in recovery

  • Professionals in high-stress jobs

  • Emergency Responders and veterans

  • People with chronic pain

  • Individuals facing major life changes

Common Symptoms of Addiction

  • Cravings: Intense urges to use the substance or engage in the behaviour.

  • Loss of Control: Inability to limit use or behaviour despite wanting to stop.

  • Tolerance: Needing more of the substance or behaviour to achieve the same effect.

  • Withdrawal Symptoms: Physical or emotional symptoms when not using the substance or engaging in the behaviour.

  • Neglecting Responsibilities: Ignoring work, school, or family obligations.

  • Continued Use Despite Harm: Persisting with the substance or behaviour despite knowing it’s causing problems.

  • Isolation: Withdrawing from social activities and relationships.

  • Changes in Appearance: Noticeable changes in weight, hygiene, or overall appearance.

  • Financial Issues: Spending excessive money on the substance or behaviour.

  • Risky Behaviours: Engaging in dangerous activities while under the influence or to obtain the substance.

  • Preoccupation: Spending a lot of time thinking about, obtaining, or recovering from the substance or behaviour.

  • Mood Swings: Experiencing extreme highs and lows, irritability, or depression.

Get Started with Addictions Therapy

How can Addictions Therapy Help?

  • Identifying Triggers: Helps individuals recognize and understand the triggers that lead to their addictive behaviours.

  • Developing Coping Strategies and harm reduction: Provides tools and techniques to manage cravings and avoid relapse.

  • Addressing Underlying Issues: Explores the root causes of addiction, such as trauma, stress, or mental health disorders.

  • Improving Emotional Regulation: Teaches skills to manage emotions in a healthy way without resorting to substances or behaviours.

  • Building Support Networks: Encourages the development of a strong support system, including family, friends, and support groups.

  • Enhancing Communication Skills: Improves the ability to express needs and feelings effectively, reducing conflict and stress.

  • Setting and Achieving Goals: Helps individuals set realistic goals for recovery and track their progress.

  • Rebuilding Relationships: Works on repairing and strengthening relationships that may have been damaged by addiction.

  • Increasing Self-Awareness: Promotes a better understanding of oneself and one’s behaviours.

  • Fostering Accountability: Encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and commit to their recovery journey.

  • Providing a Safe Space: Offers a non-judgmental environment to discuss challenges and successes.

  • Relapse Prevention: Develops strategies to prevent relapse and maintain long-term sobriety.

We are accepting clients residing in Canada.

Our Rates

Amelia Larson (M.S.W., R.C.S.W., Approved Clinical Supervisor) 

$175 (55 min)

Amber Jerome (Registered Clinical Counsellor, CCC)

$160 (55 min)

Insurance plans cover Amelia’s designations. Amber’s designations may or may not be covered by your insurance plan.

Your therapy experience will be unique to who you are, your goals and needs. Drawing on various forms of therapy ensures we can tailor your experience to best suit your needs. One size does not fit all.

Therapy FAQs

  • We work with emerging adults, adults and couples who are experiencing life transitions, symptoms of anxiety, depression, challenges with relationships, stress, trauma and struggles with parenting/co-parenting.

  • We offer a free 15 minute consultation session for you to explore if we are the right fit for you–your goals, your needs, and your style.

  • We do not work with children under the age of 15. We do not support individuals experiencing active psychosis.

  • Sessions are 55 minutes in length.

  • This can be directed by you if that feels right. We will often share a bit about who we are, explore your goals for therapy, answer any questions you have, and give you an opportunity to explore if we are the right fit for you.

  • We do not bill insurance companies directly. After each session you will receive a detailed insurance receipt via email.

  • Therapy can help you explore how past, current, and future experiences impact your behaviour, thoughts, and emotions. It can unpack how to show up as the best version of yourself in relationships and throughout contexts in your life. It can help you better manage how you cope with life stressors to enhance your daily functioning.

  • We are client-centered which means, we take our cues and direction about how therapy unfolds from you. At times, therapy will be uncomfortable and this is where growth happens. We believe in being real and transparent, this will sometimes include some laughs and hearing the hard things.

  • Your first session is an opportunity to know each other better and explore how to reach your goals, or we can dive right into why you came to therapy in the first place. It’s up to you!

  • Our hope is that every therapy session will provide valuable insight, resources, and tools to help you get closer to reaching your goals in life.

    Depending on the goals you have and the challenges you are navigating, some people will be in therapy regularly for a longer period of time, some may check in infrequently, and some may feel like they have what they need after a few sessions.

    Our goal is never to have people in therapy every week forever, we want people to gain skills and practice them in the world without us and come back when they need support.

  • We offer both virtual and in-person walk and talk sessions. We want you to be in your own safe space while working through the ‘tough’ stuff. For local clients (Calgary and Chestermere), there are options for walk and talk sessions. These sessions occur in nature (parks, walking paths, trails etc.) where we conduct a therapy session while walking together. Some people find this to be an easier way to work through their tough stuff. These sessions are weather dependent.

  • You are free to contact us after hours, however, please do not expect a response outside of the business day.

  • We have a limited number of sliding scale sessions available.

  • We accept credit card payments, e-transfers, and NIHB funding.

  • Either book your free 15-minute consult today, book yourself in for a session, or Contact Us with your questions.

Get Started Today

A therapeutic connection is an intimate and meaningful partnership. We offer a 15-minute complimentary phone consultation to determine if As You Are Therapy is the right choice for you.