relational & somatic therapy in north vancouver & online
Addiction & Substance Use
Addiction is often about more than the substance itself.
At Soma Clinical Counselling, we understand that attachment patterns shape the way we experience closeness, conflict, vulnerability, trust, and emotional safety. Many of the struggles people face in relationships are not because they are “too needy,” “too sensitive,” or “too much.” Often, they are protective patterns developed through past experiences, unmet emotional needs, or relational pain.
Attachment wounds can leave us longing for connection while simultaneously fearing rejection, abandonment, criticism, or emotional disconnection. These patterns can become especially activated in intimate relationships, friendships, or moments of uncertainty and conflict.
Healing begins with understanding the nervous system, emotional patterns, and relational experiences underneath the reactions.
You may be experiencing:
Feeling stuck in cycles you cannot seem to break
Using substances or behaviours to numb, escape, or cope
Shame, guilt, or harsh self-criticism
Emotional overwhelm or difficulty regulating emotions
Relationship conflict connected to substance use or coping patterns
Anxiety, depression, trauma, or unresolved emotional pain
Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
Difficulty managing stress, urges, or triggers
Fear of relapse or losing control
Wanting change while also feeling afraid of it
Our Approach to Addictions & Substance Use
At Soma Clinical Counselling, we take a compassionate, trauma-informed, and attachment-focused approach to addiction recovery. We recognize that many addictive patterns develop as protective strategies - ways the nervous system learned to cope with pain, stress, emotional isolation, or unmet emotional needs.
Our work focuses not only on reducing harmful behaviours, but also on helping you build deeper self-understanding, emotional regulation, self-trust, and healthier ways of coping and connecting.
Healing is possible.
Recovery is not about perfection. It is about creating safety, support, self-awareness, and sustainable change one step at a time. Healing often involves reconnecting not only with healthier coping strategies, but also with yourself, your emotions, your relationships, and your capacity for self-compassion.
Ready to embrace change?
Together, we can start your journey towards healing