Substance Use Therapists in Central Toronto, Toronto, ON

Hey, my name is Curt. I have been working as a counsellor for the past six years. The office I work out of is near Christie Subway Station. My main experiences have been with people with substance use issues and/or addictions, who are wanting to make some changes in their life. I am trauma-informed, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive and always support clients on whatever goals they want to work on. I have also worked with folks from the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Throughout my life, I have negotiated what it means to be queer and Muslim, to feel and be seen as different, both to myself and the world. This lived resistance informs my commitment to serve 2SLGBTQ+ communities through an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, decolonial, and intersectional lens. I work with PTSD, addictions, anxiety, depression, gender/sexuality, life transitions, mood, newcomers and refugees, palliative care, people living with HIV, racial trauma, sex and intimacy, and substance use /misuse (including PnP/chemsex and crystal meth use). If you don't see your experience mentioned here, please reach out to chat further!

I work with you to create a safe space for us to explore some of the areas in your life you are struggling with. I believe in naming the strengths in ourselves that resist, or push back against, hardship as points of transformation into a more fulfilling and joyful life.

Many of the difficulties that you’re now experiencing were at one point survival strategies that helped you get through difficult times. Yes - even substance use , self-harm, anxiety, eating disorders - all of these got you to right now. The problem is that you no longer need them and they're now interfering with your quality of life, challenge your relationships, and leave you feeling stuck and out of control. I want to help you overcome these difficulties by processing the past and developing new, more effective ways of coping so that you can build a life that excites you!

You may have wondered at times, "Will I ever recover?", and I am excited to let you know that change is always within your reach. It takes a lot of courage and vulnerability to begin a journey towards healing, and yet every human is entitled to a life that reflects their core values and truest self. I believe that self-exploration is key to any change process, and accessing therapy is a brilliant and brave way to ignite this and to welcome yourself into an exciting new chapter. My practice is rooted in Anti Oppressive, trauma-informed care, with an emphasis on identifying and utilizing your strengths as agents of change.

Do you feel weighed down by stress, overwhelm, anxiety, or depression? Are you looking for a safe space to process your feelings and challenges? You are not alone and I can help! I see you as the expert of your own experiences. I begin with meeting you where you are and work collaboratively with you to establish a strong therapeutic relationship. Foundational safety and trust is central to your healing process. My role is to bear witness, encourage you to look inward for insight and to explore patterns in your life. Together we can build internal resiliency for greater depth and richness.

Are alcohol and/or drugs interfering with your life? Are you using substances when you are depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? Are you looking for ways to improve relationships, mood, and personal well-being? Are you looking for a compassionate and experienced professional counsellor to make positive changes in your life? Utilizing evidence-based therapeutic methods (CBT, MI, and Mindfulness), my private practice will help you examine your personal goals, work towards empowering you to address your substance use to build healthy relationships, sustain and maintain sobriety, and to make positive changes in your life.

I have experience working with youth and adults with an emphasis on and gender diverse folks and the LGBTQ2S community. I have supported clients with a range of presenting issues, including anxiety and depression, body image, eating disorders, gender/sexuality-related issues, personality disorders, intergenerational trauma, complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and substance use . My approach is grounded in a trauma-informed, intersectional anti-oppressive framework and I aim to foster resilience and empowerment using a warm, collaborative approach to support folks in meeting their goals.

Sarah Ahmed completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Masters of Social Work degree from University of Toronto, specializing in Mental Health and Addictions. Sarah has worked with a diverse clientele within a multitude of clinical inpatient and outpatient settings. Sarah provides individual and group counselling to individuals suffering from mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, coupled with co-occurring substance use issues. Additionally, Sarah also provides support for loved ones on how to sustain healthy relationships and manage life stressors.

As an individual therapist practicing at the Centre for Psychology and Emotional Health, I adopt a warm, collaborative, and strengths-based approach that will encourage you to draw from the wisdom of your unique life experiences to make deep and lasting improvements in your overall well-being, relationship functioning, motivation, health, and resilience. I provide evidence-based treatments, including Emotion Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. I am currently completing the final stages of my PhD in Clinical Psychology and Graduate Diploma in Health Psychology at York University.

Therapy doesn't have to be scary! I know first-hand what it can be like to suffer in silence, longing for change, & struggling to find someone who "gets" you. If you grew up in a home where you didn't get the support that you needed, if you went through something that you feel like you have never recovered from, or if you feel like a black sheep everywhere you go, I would be happy to co-create a non-judgmental healing space where you feel seen, heard, & valued. We can work on things like learning to understand yourself, re-gaining control of your life, & appreciating the parts of you that have clawed you out of your darkest times.

Do you often feel lost and exhausted in your own thoughts? Are you struggling with substance use ? Or do you feel that something is weighing you down but you just can’t seem to figure out why? If you are looking to gain some perspective on your thoughts and feelings, gestalt therapy is a good place to start. As a Gestalt therapist, I provide a safe and non-judgmental space to explore what is bothering you in the present moment.

I am a registered Social Worker, trauma therapist and clinical counselling supervisor. I have served in the Canadian Armed Forces recently retiring as a Captain - Social Work Officer. I have extensive knowledge and experience in treating clients who have experienced trauma or symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to this specialization, I am trained in cognitive behavioural therapy for treatment of anxiety, depression, struggling with shame, decreased self-esteem/confidence, trauma, couples conflict, LGBTQ+ (Affirming), family issues and substance use concerns. Populations I've supported: pilots, teachers, police, engineers, lawyers, government, health care, transgender, students, baristas,

If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from others, therapy can be an important step towards change and healing. It can help you understand your needs, process difficult experiences, let go of harsh-self criticism, develop new coping strategies, and rediscover what’s truly important to you. I especially love helping clients reconnect with who they are under all of the masks they’ve been wearing for others, and supporting them in understanding and working towards their own unique vision for meaningful relationships and a fulfilling life.

Thinking about starting or resuming therapy can be difficult, I commend you on taking the step towards support. I believe each individual brings their own experiences and perspectives to therapy. Through collaboration, we can better understand how the cycles and thoughts that may cause you to feel stuck or experience distressed can be shifted to create change and inspire hope. My practice is client centered, and connection focused. I believe through creating a validating and safe space to process difficulties, important skills can be learned that will help create change in your life.

How would you like to have better quality relationships and feel better about yourself? My practice provides short-term therapy. We specialize primarily in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and treat a variety of Anxiety Disorders, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Mood Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Gambling Disorders and other disorders. We also deal with self-esteem issues. We specialize in treating individuals, couples and groups, as well as adults and adolescents. We also offer 30 minute sessions and video therapy.

Do you often find yourself on an emotional rollercoaster, struggling to get a hold of strong urges and stay in control? We help people with intense emotions, self-defeating thoughts and unhealthy behaviours that get in the way of them feeling and functioning at their best. We're a team of therapists specializing in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and we're here to help you untangle longstanding patterns so that you can take back control over your emotions and live a more meaningful life.