Addiction Therapists in Kitchener, ON

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Professional Counsellor, MPCC-Provisional designation with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA).

Virtual

I work with pilots and men in high-pressure careers who are navigating anxiety, burnout, identity challenges, or major life transitions. Many of the people I support are looking for counselling that is practical, confidential, and respectful of their professional context. For pilots concerns about career impact, medical implications often create hesitation around seeking support.

Niru Balasubramaniam

Niru Balasubramaniam

Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker

Virtual

I offer a warm, non-judgmental space to explore life’s challenges and help you reconnect with your strengths. I work with adults, teens, and couples facing anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship issues, and more. Using a client-centered, strengths-based approach, we’ll work together to create meaningful, lasting change.

Tharshiga Elankeeran

Tharshiga Elankeeran

Registered Psychotherapist MA RP, IMD (candidate)

Virtual

I embrace the profound truth that we are all interconnected when we mindfully inhabit the present moment. As therapists, we acknowledge the intricate web of human experiences, emotions, and relationships. This awareness creates a nurturing space where clients can explore their inner landscapes with compassion. Together, we embark on a journey of empathy, resilience, and shared transformation.

Abby Tait

Abby Tait

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

You might come to therapy feeling stuck in familiar patterns - ways of coping, thinking, or relating that once made sense but now feel hard to shift. You may be thoughtful and self-aware, yet find yourself overthinking, avoiding certain emotions, or feeling disconnected from who you are or where you’re headed. Questions about identity, values, and purpose often sit quietly underneath these experi…

Jeremy Mayer

Jeremy Mayer

Registered Social Worker

Virtual

Registered Social Worker at Psychotherapy For You

Jamie Smith

Jamie Smith

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

"My life is fine, why do I feel like this?" "I don't really know how I feel" Depression, loneliness, addiction, anxiety, feeling stuck, people pleasing often point to complex or developmental trauma with no quick fix. If you're reading this you can tell that something is wrong, but might not know where to start. The power to change and heal is inside you waiting to be found.

Lisa O’Donovan

Lisa O’Donovan

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

I offer Psychodynamic, trauma-informed therapy for adults and couples in-person in Burlington and virtually. I support clients navigating complex trauma, relationship difficulties, addiction and recovery, family dysfunction, and life transitions helping to uncover and understand emotional and relational patterns, process experiences, build greater self-awareness in a safe, compassionate space.

Lisa Cross

Lisa Cross

Registered Social Worker

Virtual

In our work together, I will draw from mindfulness-based strategies, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, strengths-based, solution-focused, and various other counselling modalities and techniques in a welcoming, accepting, and supportive environment to help you advance towards your goals.

Carol D.B. Whaley

Carol D.B. Whaley

Psychotherapist

Virtual

I am a Vancouver based Psychotherapist in a diverse and inclusive Private Practice offering both in person and virtual sessions. I have over 22 years of extensive clinical experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups. I work with all ages on any issues that are getting in the way of the client experiencing life to its fullest in the very personal way they want to live.

Michael Greene

Michael Greene

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

ARE YOU YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY? Do you constantly criticize yourself? Do you measure yourself unfairly against other people? Do you make bad choices or sabotage your good choices? Is the story you tell about yourself one that diminishes who you are? Over the years I have helped many people with self esteem issues. I help them see themselves in a new way that is positive and fulfilling.

Johann Kong

Johann Kong

MSW,RSW

Virtual

I can bring in our work together a wide range of expertise and experiences from a seasoned professional mindset that puts your needs at the centre. More importantly, I understand pain and trauma and know how hard it can be to navigate through these experiences towards health and wellness. I am committed to providing a safe, caring, non-judgmental space to support you in your journey.

Michelle Mailhiot

Michelle Mailhiot

Registered Psychotherapist

Virtual

The approach I use is trauma-focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), attachment-based Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Compassion Focused Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for complex trauma. EMDR is an effective form of trauma therapy that has been extensively researched to help people who have experienced trauma resume the brain’s natural healing process.

Athena Zambelis

Athena Zambelis

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), Registered Nurse, MSc.

Virtual

There’s a tenet in life that if you run towards your fears, you'll unlock your full potential and the future you always dreamed of. Let’s run towards those fears together.

Lester Vega

Lester Vega

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

I offer psychotherapy rooted in both psychodynamic and Jungian approaches for adults living with the lasting impact of early adversity, complex trauma, and attachment wounds. Together we explore anxiety, burnout, relationship patterns, grief, shame, spirituality, and dreams at a pace that fits your nervous system. I provide secure online therapy across Ontario and a free 30‑minute consultation.

Janalyn Dodds MSW, BSW, RSW

Janalyn Dodds MSW, BSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker/ Psychotherapist

Virtual

I am a Registered Social Worker and psychotherapist with The Support Station, a Canadian-based, woman-owned organization that believes cost shouldn't be a barrier to accessing quality mental health and wellness support. Each client's session fees are adjusted according to not only their monthly income, but also any bills and debts paid out regularly get considered as well.

Greg Clarke

Greg Clarke

Mental Health/Addiction Counsellor - RSSW, Psychotherapist , CCAC MATS CPGC

Virtual

Hello, I’m Greg Clarke. I have spent the last 40 years working in the mental health and addiction field. Throughout my career, I have focused on providing compassionate support to individuals facing a variety of challenges, including addiction, problem gambling, chronic conditions, grief and bereavement, life changes and ageing, as well as anxiety and depression.

Brittany Peddle

Brittany Peddle

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

I work with individuals who are looking to overcome their trauma by learning healthier coping skills and more helpful resources, and who want to do deeper processing work to resolve and release trauma in order to let go of the past and move forward in life. I offer both support and solutions, using a client-centered approach utilizing DBT, ACT, EMDR, Somatic Therapy and other modalities.

Stephanie Campoli

Stephanie Campoli

MSW, RSW

Virtual

Stephanie Campoli Psychotherapy is a trauma-focused practice in Oshawa, Ontario, offering in-person therapy and virtual psychotherapy across Ontario and Nova Scotia. The practice specializes in comprehensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), trauma therapy, and addictions treatment, with particular expertise in supporting people living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and trauma.

Kathryn Jones

Kathryn Jones

Registered Social Worker

Virtual

I provide evidence-based therapy for Anxiety, OCD, Depression, ADHD, Behavioural Addictions (ie., shopping, gambling, pornography, gaming), Stress, Unhealthy Relationships, Body Image, and Trauma. Together, we'll clarify your goals and identify the thoughts, beliefs, or behaviours getting in your way. We'll create a roadmap with realistic, meaningful steps toward living your best possible life.

Brayden Keeler

Brayden Keeler

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)

Virtual

Brayden (she/her) obtained a Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University. Diagnosed with ADHD as a young adult, Brayden is particularly attuned to the challenges faced by others with neurodivergence, especially recognizing symptoms often overlooked in youth identifying as female.

How do therapists in Kitchener, ON compare?

Number of therapists listed

41

Average years in practice

10.1 Years

Currently accepting new clients

100 %

Therapists in Kitchener, ON who prioritize treating:

100% Addiction
63% Anxiety
56% Trauma and PTSD
56% Depression
29% Relationship Issues
27% ADHD
24% Men's Issues
20% Emotional Dysregulation

How therapists see their clients

100% Online Only

Top therapy approaches used in Kitchener, ON:

39% Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
39% Trauma Focused
20% Dialectical Behaviour (DBT)
20% Somatic
17% Internal Family Systems (IFS)
17% Motivational Interviewing
17% Attachment-based
17% Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction

What is addiction and how does therapy help?

Addiction is a complex condition characterized by compulsive substance use or behaviour despite negative consequences. It involves changes in brain circuitry affecting reward, motivation, memory, and impulse control. Therapy helps by addressing the underlying psychological drivers of addiction — trauma, mental health conditions, emotional dysregulation, social isolation — as well as the thought patterns and triggers that sustain addictive cycles. Therapy is most effective when combined with other supports such as medical care and peer support.

What types of addiction can therapy address?

Therapy addresses a wide range of substance and behavioural addictions, including alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, cannabis dependence, cocaine and stimulant misuse, prescription medication misuse, gambling disorder, sexual addiction, internet and gaming addiction, and food addiction. Many addiction counsellors are also trained to address co-occurring mental health conditions, which are extremely common among people with addiction — often called dual diagnosis.

What therapy approaches are used for addiction?

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is widely used to help people explore their ambivalence about change in a non-judgmental way. CBT for addiction addresses the thoughts and patterns that trigger substance use and builds skills for managing cravings and high-risk situations. Twelve-step facilitation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-informed approaches, and community reinforcement are also evidence-based. Many therapists integrate multiple approaches based on where you are in your recovery journey.

Does therapy require me to commit to abstinence?

Not necessarily. Many therapists and programs work with a harm reduction model, which supports safer use and reducing negative consequences without requiring abstinence as the only goal. Others work within an abstinence-based framework. Some people want abstinence; others want to reduce use or improve their relationship with a substance. Discuss your goals openly with a potential therapist — a good therapist will work with your goals rather than imposing a single approach.

Is addiction counselling covered by insurance in Canada?

Coverage varies by province and plan. Many extended health benefits cover psychotherapy for addiction when provided by a registered psychologist, social worker, or counsellor. Some provinces offer publicly funded addiction services through health authorities — waitlists vary by region. It is worth contacting your province's addiction services line for information on publicly funded options, and checking your extended benefits for privately covered therapy.