Services
Addiction Counselling
Addiction is the number one public health issue in Canada. Addiction has the power to tear apart individuals and families and destroy lives. Alcohol, depressants, narcotics, eating disorders, gambling; these and other behaviours start with seemingly harmless decisions. But over time, especially as we face hurts, we find our lives spiraling out of control, in bondage to our addiction. You may have tried many times to quit your addiction in your own strength. This rarely, if ever, works.
At Restoring Freedom Therapy, I will come alongside you, helping you to understand the nature of your addiction, how you got there, and help you to build a network of strength upon which to beat this monster that may have taken over your life. I want to encourage you that freedom is possible, no matter how far you have gone. It is possible to break free. Your life, your sanity, your freedom is worth fighting for!
Sex Addiction and Porn Addiction
Sex addiction, also referred to as compulsive sexual behavior, is a condition that affects many, many people. Sex addiction is a pattern of behavior which creates a cycle of compulsive thoughts, actions and trends in an individual’s life. The severity varies, but the addiction usually tends to have a large-scale destructive impact on a person’s life. These could include deteriorating relationships, separation and/or divorce, job loss, poor emotional and spiritual health and a shame-based identity. Most sex addiction starts with, and is based on, the foundation of porn and masturbation. It then has the potential to grow into fetishes, cybersex, casual encounters, extramarital affairs, use of prostitutes, voyeurism, exhibitionism and other activities.
In the initial session, I help you understand the type of sex addiction you have, the roots of your addiction, and begin to build a plan of recovery. I strongly believe that if you embrace recovery and work at it wholeheartedly, you can break free from the stranglehold that sex addiction has on your life, and begin to live a life of true freedom.
Sexual Betrayal Trauma
Betrayed partners may have been devastated by shocking discoveries of all types of sexual infidelities, including pornography, prostitutes, cybersex, and affairs of all kinds, leaving them shattered, numb, and in disbelief. The trauma of betrayal can cause the same type of posttraumatic stress that happens with military people who have been in frontline conflicts. Sexual deception is not simply a violation of trust of something betrayed spouses or partners need to “get over”. When a partner is reacting to sexual betrayal, it’s because she (or he) is looking for two necessary things: safety and the truth. Understanding sexual betrayal trauma is like putting on a whole new set of glasses to see the layered consequences and what is needed to recover.
I provide a place of safety, empathy and understanding for you to vent your feelings and process ways to cope. Making tough choices, setting boundaries, self-care, and healing from the aftermath of the crises – these are issues you will be led through in therapy. You are not alone! There is help and hope for you and, perhaps, even your relationship!
Intimacy Anorexia
Intimacy Anorexia is defined as the “active withholding of mental, emotional, spiritual and/or physical intimacy from one’s partner.” In 12-Step Programs, this person is referred to as “the love cripple”. Although Intimacy Anorexia is often a common side effect of sex addiction the traits of it can also arise out of family of origin issues, sexual abuse or reactivity.
I will help you know if you have intimacy anorexia, explore the root causes of the condition and then equip you with strategies for overcoming the problem. True and lasting intimacy within your relationship is within reach!
Marriage Counselling
Many of us give up on our marriages because we see no other way through; we experience pain, turmoil, and heartache, and we give up hope. However, many of these marriages could be saved if both partners are willing to work on saving it. I believe if hard work is put into restoring a marriage relationship, in many cases, it can be far better off than we ever thought possible!
I will work to help you break free of addictions, overcome intimacy issues and build your marriage!