Substance Use Therapists in Nanaimo, BC

I have a long history of social and community engagement, which are the foundations in my clinical practice. My involvement with social work has highlighted the gaps in mental health supportive interventions for individuals, children, youth, young adults and families.

I offer support to people who are struggling with anxiety, burnout, return to work, PTSD, substance use, unrealistic expectations, self defeating behaviors and relationship difficulties. These symptoms may be rooted in trauma, abuse or wounds from the past or you may be experiencing them for the first time; no matter your circumstance, I am here to listen. When you are struggling, you may experience feelings of overwhelm, hopelessness, shame, guilt or exhaustion. This can feel incredibly lonely and destabilizing, it may feel like the joy has been lost in your life.

Hello, my name is Stephanie and I am grateful to have been working in the field of health and human services for 23 years. I am humbled to provide clinical counselling services to children, youth, adults, couples, and families. In my interactions I strive to meet people where they are at while centring safety, collaboration, trauma informed practice, cultural humility, compassion. I hold a Bachelor Degree in Social Work, Masters in Counselling Psychology and a PhD with a specialization in the field of substance use and addiction. I am a professor at a post- secondary university and teach in the areas of substance use, mental health.

Currently not accepting new clients. I am a trauma-specific therapist and offer support to children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use or relationship difficulties. These symptoms may be rooted in trauma, abuse or wounds from the past or you may be experiencing them for the first time; no matter your circumstance, I am here to listen. I also work with new and expectant mothers who may be struggling with postpartum anxiety or depression, intrusive thoughts, rage, loss of identity, or transitioning into their new role as a caregiver.

Understanding the need for change is a big first step. Then getting the energy and nerve to find a therapist and make that first appointment can seem insurmountable. Congratulations on making it this far! Issues with emotional regulation, interpersonal communication/skills, and problematic substance use can derail our best attempts at a satisfying life. Using an individualized and integrated approach of DBT and Talk Therapy with the cheer of Solution Focused, we can work together to understand how your biology, environment and psychology can be readapted to help reach your goals. There will be infographics and worksheets! (Yay?)

We all go through different problems, experience different life stressors or trauma, and at times everyone needs someone to just listen. Dakova Health has trained and experienced psychologists and counsellors that specialize in different areas of practice to meet your specific needs.

From a very young age, I knew my purpose was to help others. I’ve dedicated my life to fighting social injustices, learning therapeutic modalities, and holding space. Between my formal education & training, and my lived experiences, I offer a unique perspective as a wounded healer and witness to support you on your journey. I strive to provide quality, professional, evidence-based clinical services to individuals who are living with complex mental health concerns, while offering collaborative trauma-informed counselling services through the lens of attachment theory.

I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) as my primary therapeutic model. My goal is to assist people to release the burdens that they carry and to foster access to their deeper Selves. I have experience working with individual's and couples with a vast array of Mental Health, Emotional, and Relational concerns. Often the people I see carry; anxiety, depression, complex trauma, PTSD, substance use, and OCD, relational stress, amongst others. My partner is an RCC and she also uses IFS and has experience treating complex trauma. Full details can be found on our website.

If you're seeking personal growth, healing, or simply greater self-awareness, counseling may be a valuable tool for you. My approach to counseling is grounded in compassion and deep respect for my clients' unique experiences and perspectives. I am committed to building on their strengths and fostering resilience and positive change in their lives. I aim to create a safe space for you to explore your thoughts and emotions, while developing coping skills and insights that can be applied to your daily life. I can also offer support through art and creative processes to help you better understand and express your experiences.

With over fifteen years of experience and a commitment to ongoing education/training I can help you. Whether you need a safe, non-judgemental person to talk to, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to help with anger, anxiety or depression, a scientific non-twelve step approach to addictions/compulsive behaviour or hypnotherapy to help with all the above as well as letting go of the past or removal of PTSD/PTSD-like symptoms in a non-retraumatizing manner, I can provide you with the effective services that you need.

I have dedicated the past i5 years of my life to working with First Responders. Before opening up my own practice I served as the Director of Trauma and Spiritual Care at a Treatment Centre located on Vancouver Island. I have met many people who have been my teachers. They have been struggling with PTSD, emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, loss of instinct of purpose. Some have been struggling with loss and grief not knowing how to grieve in a healthy manner. Others have been struggling with intense fear and self doubt knowing that change needs to happen in their lives and not knowing how to move forward.

Have you been going to therapy for a while or are the doctors stumped with a mystery illness the medical system can't explain? Do you have complicated family dynamics, or require support in your relationship? My work focuses on treatment resistant disorders, personality disorders, sexual funciton/dysfuction and chronic pain. Additionally, working as an emergency first responder and having been deployed to theatres of conflict as a pilot has helped me to understand the complexity of trauma. I work with individuals, couples and families to help when others have not been able to.

David Ausher (he/him) is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) 2957 with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada. I am a therapist who has dedicated my life to assisting individuals with their life struggles. I understand what it is like to feel lost and like your life is in turmoil. Many years ago I set out to better understand who I was and why I felt the way I did. My own personal journey of self-discovery yielded some new truths for me: I am not alone. The more I understand about myself, the more alive I feel.

ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider & ADHD-Certified Educator. Let's face it, parenting can leave you feeling frustrated, powerless and downright distressed. You're trying to help your child grow up to be a confident and happy individual. You wish you knew how to support your struggling youth and are doing your best but you just feel stuck and don't know what the next steps are. I specialize in working with parents and teens ages 14 + with challenging behaviours, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and addictions issues.

I have been working as a counsellor for 28 years and my work focuses on addiction and trauma issues. They often go hand in hand but not always as each person is unique. The focus of my counselling work is very respectful as I acknowledge that you know yourself best. Most people seek out counselling because they are stuck in old patterns that they have outgrown yet need help to move forward in a new, more helpful way. I appreciate the courage it takes to reach out and I will work hard to help you make the changes you need.

Welcome! We all love what we do and are here to help you find health, balance and peace. Vancouver Island Therapy is a full service, multi—disciplinary health clinic focused on providing multiple healing services to help you and your family. Located in Nanaimo, BC, we service many communities including; Port Alberni, Qualicum, Parksville, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan to Victoria. Diverse, professional and experienced, our practitioners bring a broad range of experience into their practice with clients. We are here to help emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Each of us has decades of experience, a unique approach

Breath Control Therapy offers breathwork techniques and breathing exercises critical for rehabilitation from both physical and psychological injury and illness but also to maintaining conditioning and improve sports performance.

I offer personalized therapy that is grounded in research and relationship; in-person & online; child, teen, & individual adult counselling. I want to connect you back to you. You may have experienced trauma in your life such as: unsettling events or experiences, to challenging or abusive relationships that left you feeling wounded, and alone. You may feel blocked or triggered. This may manifest as: anxiety, depression, numbness, flashbacks, trouble sleeping, addictions, or even the need to be perfect. You may find it hard to connect with others, or navigate certain situations. You just want to feel calmer and happier.

Today as a society there are so many stressors that we have to deal with on an individual basis such as mental illness, trauma, struggles with addiction, work and relationship stress that can impact our overall ability to function and succeed. Going through any of these struggles alone is a near impossible task and I am happy that you are looking for someone to walk along with you through life's challenges.

Vancouver Island Therapy is a full service, multi—disciplinary health clinic focused on providing multiple healing services to help you and your family. Located in Nanaimo, BC, we service many communities including; Port Alberni, Qualicum, Parksville, Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan to Victoria.

Do you feel like you are unable to calm? Do you feel anxious and judged by others? Do you feel restless, irritable, and stuck in "on" mode in this ready-to-react mode? Do you have persistent negative thinking, emotional fluctuations, and repeating the same actions and patterns? Do you feel stuck and unable to lift your mood? These are among some of the many symptoms of trauma. Trauma changes the nervous system and the ability to regulate our nervous system is directly correlated with our mental health. EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Somatic therapy can help heal the nervous system, by processing and releasing trauma stored in the body.

Do you find yourself repeating a cycle over and over again? Have you been reacting and feeling triggered? Or noticing blocks in the way of the life you want? Researching about what help is available is your first step. My psychotherapy work is not informed by a diagnostic lens with labels; rather, it references the client as a "whole" being on their own unique human journey. I feel privileged to be able to accompany my clients to witness what is in the "here and now," to help with the healing and unfolding process, and to deepen their awareness and consciousness. First Nations clients who qualify for FNHA services attend for free.

Are you struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety or trauma? I can help you navigate through these areas and come out the other side as a stronger you. As your therapist, I can assist you in overcoming these issues and get you living a happier and more fulfilling life. If you are ready to begin: book your free consultation today!

Has traditional therapy not worked for you? Are your emotions running the show too often, ditcating the way you interact and relate to others in a way that you want to change? For some there needs to be more than simply talking about the issues that distress us. For others, there may be genuine dysregulation in the autonomic and central nervous system - this can make feeling grounded, connected and balanced very difficult. Working with technology, we can help you understand your brain, why you may be vulnerable or helpless in some areas, and confident, resilient and excelling in others.