Addiction Therapists in New Westminster

You are not lazy, broken, or beyond help. Maybe you're struggling to keep up with school, constantly putting things off, or feeling like your emotions are bigger than you know how to handle. Maybe frustration turns into anger before you have a chance to understand what's happening. Maybe you've developed habits or relied on substances to cope with stress, boredom, anxiety, or feelings you don't quite know what to do with. Or maybe you're simply tired of feeling like you're working twice as hard as everyone else just to keep your head above water. Whatever brings you here, I want you to know something: **There is usually more going on beneath the behaviours we struggle with, and understanding those patterns is where meaningful change begins.** I'm a Clinical Counsellor with a particular passion for working with ADHD, emotional regulation, anger, and addiction. My approach is grounded in the belief that people don't need more judgment or lectures about what they should be doing differently. They need to understand themselves, develop practical skills, and have someone in their corner while they work toward change. ADHD: Understanding Your Brain, Not Fighting It As someone who lives with ADHD myself, I understand how frustrating it can be. Whether it's procrastination, difficulty getting started, emotional overwhelm, relationship struggles, or feeling like you're constantly falling behind, ADHD can affect almost every part of life. I hold an MA in Counselling Psychology and am an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP). I combine counselling and ADHD-informed coaching to help you understand your executive functioning profile, identify your strengths and challenges, and build a practical toolkit that works with your brain rather than against it. We can work on: - Executive dysfunction, procrastination, and time management. - Emotional regulation and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). - ADHD burnout, perfectionism, and shame. - Relationship and communication difficulties. - ADHD in women, masking, and late diagnosis. - Navigating school, work, and major life transitions. You don't need a formal ADHD diagnosis to begin exploring these challenges. Anger: There's Usually More Beneath the Surface Anger can be confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes damaging to the relationships that matter most to us. Maybe you find yourself reacting more intensely than you intended, struggling to let things go, or feeling like frustration builds until it eventually boils over. Rather than simply focusing on controlling anger, I want to help you understand it. We explore what's happening beneath the surface, whether that's shame, stress, feeling unheard, past experiences, or difficulty regulating emotions. Together, we work on recognizing triggers, managing emotional intensity, communicating more effectively, and responding to difficult situations in ways that better reflect the person you want to be. Addiction: Understanding the Patterns and Finding a Different Way Forward Sometimes the behaviours we struggle with started as ways of coping. Substances, gambling, pornography, or even excessive social media use can become ways to escape, manage uncomfortable emotions, or find temporary relief from life's pressures. The problem is that what initially helps us cope can eventually become something that takes control. I work with individuals who want to better understand their relationship with these behaviours, identify the patterns keeping them stuck, and develop healthier ways of managing stress, emotions, and everyday challenges. I also support partners and family members affected by someone else's addiction, helping them navigate boundaries, frustration, worry, and their own wellbeing. My Approach I draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and ADHD-informed coaching. My work combines emotional support with practical skill development. I don't believe understanding your challenges and learning how to manage them should be separate processes. Our sessions are collaborative, structured, and flexible. We'll work together to identify what's getting in your way and develop strategies you can actually use outside of counselling. You don't have to arrive with everything figured out. You don't need to know exactly what's wrong or have a perfect explanation for what you're experiencing. My goal is to help you understand yourself better, feel more in control of your choices, and build a life that feels more manageable and meaningful. You don't have to keep navigating everything on your own.