Addictions Counselling Ottawa
It is important to be a wise consumer in seeking a counselor if you decide that you want to be seen for individual help. Not all physicians, psychologists or social workers have addictions training. Not all addictions counselors have prior credentials in nursing, psychology, or medicine that provide a sound basis for recognizing the range of problems that people bring to their counseling sessions.
About 34% of people with addictions problems also have other, diagnosable, problems, such as depression, anxiety, or phobias that require treatment. Such people are often referred to as “dual diagnosis” or “concurrent disorder” clients, because they need help with both the addiction and the other mental health problem.
Through your life experience, you have a great deal of first hand expertise about addictions. If the counselor’s beliefs or approach to helping you rings false, find another counselor. A good way to find a counselor who will be useful to you is to ask someone whose sobriety you respect if they know someone. You can also find a counselor by calling the state/provincial associations for the profession you would like to see or by talking with your family physician to get a referral.
Contact Gilmour Psychological Services®
in Ottawa to schedule a consultation with a psychologist who has an expertise in addictions counselling .
