Substance Use Therapists in Toronto, ON
See all counsellors in Toronto
Mary Mikhail
Registered Social Worker, BA, MA, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing post‐traumatic stress and related difficulties such as PTSD and complex trauma, addiction and
substance use
, eating disorders, and mood and anxiety disorders.
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!

Emma Stafford-Coyte
Registered Social Worker, RSW, MSW, BSW, MA
Verified
Verified
anxiety, depression), the impacts of trauma, interpersonal conflict, low self-esteem,
substance use
difficulties, and grief & loss.
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.

Juliana Bruyn
SSW
I enjoy working with people at any stage of their
substance use
journey.
Often in life we can move on ‘auto pilot’ and be surprised when we feel hijacked by things such as anxiety, anger, substance abuse, depression, etc. I will aid you in processing your reactions and learn how to better identify and communicate your emotions. We are all carrying so much on our backs. Be it childhood experiences, trauma, anxiety, work or school stress, insecurities, self doubt and so much more. I will support you in finding the skills to tease apart, challenge, and cope with these issues.

Tara Lightfoot -Registered Nurse Psychotherapist
RN, BN
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Many people turn to substances as a way to cope with negative emotions which can impact their lives and the people around them. Is your
substance use
starting to get out of control and affecting your day to day life, your relationships, and your ability to function? Or maybe you have a family member who you has a problem with substances that is affecting you and you need support. Are you ready to reach out for help, but don’t know where to start? Reaching out for help is really hard for many people, but there is hope! There are ways to make changes to your
substance use
or to better support a loved one who is struggling.

Jessica Weeks
Registered Psychotherapist, BA, MA
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
I have supported individuals with behavioural and emotional difficulties, have specialized experience in
substance use
treatment, and hold a special interest in supporting those involved with the criminal justice system.
It is my goal to honour your individuality and be a collaborative participant in your journey towards self-exploration and personal growth. I work to create a strong, trusting bond with you within which we can make positive change happen. It is important that you feel understood as you are, in what ever uniqueness that brings. Through connection and compassion, I believe that many things are possible.

Scott A Barter
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor, BComm, CCAC, CACCF
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
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.

Aamir Mohammed Subhan
Registered Social Worker, RSW, MSW, BSW, HBSc
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
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!

Sydney Kelman
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
I am a registered clinical social worker, with experience supporting youth and young adults who are living with
substance use
and various mental health concerns. I value collaborative, client-centred work and the importance of meeting each person wherever they are at in their healing process.

Eleni Ionides - Addictions Specialist
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor, CCAC, BA
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you stuck in old behavior patterns and unable to move forward? Is your
substance use
interfering with your life and goals? Choosing the right therapist for you is essential to the success of your recovery. I am a Canadian Certified Addictions Counsellor (C.C.A.C) with over 10 years experience in the field of addictions in both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings. I completed my BA in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and my Post Graduate Diploma in Addictions Treatment and Prevention from Georgian College.

Siobhan Cassidy
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
My previous counselling roles have been in the field of rape crisis, intimate partner violence, mental health and
substance use
for people living in poverty and homelessness.
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.

Curt Pullan
Registered Social Worker, MSW, BSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
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.

Tanya Laura LaJambe
Registered Social Worker, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
I support kids and adults in finding new ways to approach their mental health, trauma,
substance use
, and relationships.
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.

TM Addiction & Recovery Services
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor, CCAC, CACII
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you or a loved one struggling with
substance use
/abuse/dependence? Feeling stuck/trapped/hopeless? I can relate. With more than 20 years lived experience on the path of personal recovery, for over a decade I have been assisting individuals change the trajectory of their lives.

New Point Psychotherapy
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor, OCSWSSW, CACCF
Verified
Verified
I provide individual and group counselling for anxiety, depression,
substance use
, and relationship difficulties, as well as treatment planning and other psychotherapy services.
Through a combination of education and both lived and professional experience, I specialize in individual and family support for addictions, concurrent disorders and
substance use
issues. Client goals could range from wanting to cut out
substance use
all together, harm reduction, or exploring reasons behind
substance use
or process addictions. Clients could also include family members or others with close relationships to afflicted individuals who may need their own support.

Rayne Jarvis
Registered Social Worker, BA, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
I draw upon CBT, DBT, IFS, EMDR, emotion-focused, and mindfulness therapies to address client health,
substance use
, mental health and social needs.
Are you thinking about taking steps towards healing and growth? I offer a holistic, eclectic, and collaborative approach to therapy, guided by the principles of integrity, non-judgement, acceptance, and compassion. With a background in harm-reduction and community-based work, I aim to create a supportive and empathetic relationship that caters to each client's unique needs. Starting therapy can be daunting, and I strive to establish a safe and empowering atmosphere where clients feel equipped to address and overcome their challenges.
Office is near:
Toronto, ON M5V & Online

Amanda Neilson
Registered Social Worker, CYW, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
Providing virtual sessions for folks across Ontario and in person or virtual sessions for Ottawa folks. For over 20 years, I have specialized in treating people with problematic
substance use
and
substance use
disorders. I work within a compassionate, collaborative, and trauma-informed approach. The right way to make meaningful change is the way that works best for you. I'm here to work with you on finding that way.

Take Care Psychotherapy, Julia Sivarajah
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified
Verified
I can help you with your mental health and/or
substance use
goals and with gaining tools to cope when faced with life challenges.
Welcome! Are you looking to take care of your mental health? Counselling can help with struggles you are facing whether it be excessive worries, sadness, relationship troubles, drug use problems, loss of a loved one, or anything else that may be causing you distress or impacting your functioning at school, work or even social activities. I have extensive experience supporting teens and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, school related stress, gender identity concerns, trauma/abuse, and
substance use
problems.

Desiree Brown
Registered Psychotherapist, MACP, RP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I share a common human experience with my clients and appreciate our journeys. Maybe you're considering therapy to connect with someone non-judgmental and outside your personal support system; you're feeling uneasy or worrying about life; you're withdrawing from others and no longer find joy and pleasure;
substance use
or a habitual behaviour is getting in the way of meaningful relationships and meeting life’s challenges; or you experienced a major event in your life and you're feeling overwhelmed. We will endeavour to understand these challenges and I will support you in taking steps that would benefit you.

Alexis Thornton-Cronin
Pre-Licensed Professional, MSW
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I work most often with individuals and couples experiencing issues related to anxiety, depression, grief and loss, domestic violence, PTSD, relationship related problems, ineffective communication, and
substance use
and misuse.
Welcome! My name is Alexis Thornton-Cronin and I have over ten years of experience providing support to families, children, and couples. I hold a Master’s of Science in Psychology, and an Undergraduate Honours degree in Psychology and Psychological Research. During the completion of my Master’s degree, I studied the relationship between securely attached children and their parent’s relationship, igniting my passion for working with couples. I am passionate about providing psychoeducation to clients, finding creative interventions to strengthen therapeutic rapport, and nurturing re-connection and understanding among couples.

Heidi Cho
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
I offer one-on-one individual sessions for adults and youth navigating themes of depression, anxiety, grief, sexuality, gender identity, race/racism, childhood trauma, relationships issues, self-worth and harm reduction/
substance use
. I approach the exploration of healing and trauma processing with a non-linear, non-pathological perspective that recognizes the relationships between systemic oppression, intergenerational trauma, and adaptive survival/coping mechanisms. My hope is to ground our conversations in nuance, sensitivity and curiosity.
Toronto, ON M6H
& Online
See more therapy options for
Substance Use Counsellors
How do substance and drug recovery or rehabilitation programs work?
In inpatient programs, individuals live in a facility with other clients in recovery; in outpatient programs, individuals reside at home. These facilities are staffed with healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists. Staff often also includes people who have recovered themselves, serving as mentors and guides. These programs may use abstinence, harm reduction, detoxification, psychotherapy, and other methods.
How do 12-step programs combined with psychotherapy work?
Members of 12-step programs help each other reach abstinence and work to maintain it. These programs promote complete change in the individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual perspectives. Some programs require that new members attend 90 meetings in 90 days. Many people do attend these programs in conjunction with their work in psychotherapy; the combination of therapy along with 12-step can be extremely effective.
How does harm reduction combined with psychotherapy work?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, harm reduction prevents death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse. People who choose harm reduction for substance use reduce the amount of drugs they consume. It is not abstinence-based like a 12-step program, but combining harm reduction with psychotherapy proves to be effective for many people.
Are there specific medications for substance and drug use?
There are medications approved to treat substance use disorder—such as buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and acamprosate. These medications do help people cope with substance use as well as avoid the problem of relapse. Naltrexone can help reduce cravings, methadone is an opioid medication used to treat severe pain, and acamprosate may help ease symptoms like poor sleep and anxious feelings.