Edmonton Addiction Family Therapy Services

Evidence-Based Support to Help You and Your Family Grow

Individual and family therapy to support mental health and addictions, as well as alcohol and substance abuse disorder from an experienced addiction counselor in Edmonton. We provide addictions counselling that is compassionate, caring and effective for all members of the family: teenagers, adults and parents. You don’t have to worry, you’re in the right place.

All Are Welcome

Mental Health and Addictions Edmonton

Welcome to Edmonton Addiction Family Therapy

Edmonton Addiction Family Therapy Services provides support for mental health and addictions for families in Edmonton.

If you’re worried about your own mental health and addictions, you’re not alone. We’re experienced in providing effective addiction counselling that’s compassionate and caring. We won’t judge you – we work to build a respectful dialogue to collaboratively identify mental health issues and treatment goals.

If you’re worried about a teenage family member with problematic behaviour, emotional, identity, and social changes – you’re not alone and you’re not doing anything wrong. Adolescence is challenging for teens and parents to navigate alone. Seeking out social and professional support makes it easier for you and your family to heal and grow.

Family Therapy and Counseling Services

Compassionate Care for Your Family

Supportive Services

Not all families are ready for full family therapy. In these cases additional services can be utilized to help prepare youth and parents for full family therapy at a later time. This can be decided during the initial free consultation or at any time during therapy.

Individual Therapy: Teens

50 minutes

One on one office-based therapy
One on one community-based engagement (e.g. coffee shop, zoo, park)
Alternative virtual reality (VR) treatment for emotional regulation (i.e. mindfulness)
Other forms of support: text message check-in with teen, hospital or PCHAD visits

Individual Therapy: Adults

50 minutes

One on one office-based therapy
Provide warm and welcoming space
Provide strategies, support and progress checks
Offer text and phone-based support between sessions

Family Therapy: Teens with Parents (or Parents Only)

90 minutes

Office-based therapy for family members
Psycho-educational sessions for parents/guardians
Skills training with parents/guardians
Co-parenting instructions and coaching

Couples Therapy: Adults

50 minutes

One on one office-based therapy
Provide warm and welcoming space
How addiction issues may be impacting relationship
Supporting all couples and relationship types (LGBTQS+)

Addictions and Family Therapy

What to Expect in Family Counseling

Stage 1: Assessment

First, we get to know you and your family, including conducting an informal assessment of the emotional processes occurring in your family. This may take a few sessions, depending on your needs and circumstances.

Stage 2: Engagement

Next, we provide coaching and support for your family to learn new ways of communicating and interacting with each other. The bulk of the work in this stage utilizes a blend of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, attachment focused discussions, psycho-education, emotionally focused enquiry, family of origin work, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills, psychodrama, and somatic awareness. The goal is to become aware of emotional reactions and replace them with healthier habits.

Stage 3: Completion

Finally, after fully completing our engagement stage, we move into the completion stage, where we review how to prevent your family from relapsing into old habits and how to ensure your changes are sustainable long-term.

Family Therapy Addiction Counseling

Meet Our Compassionate Team

Dennis Barrie, MC

Registered Psychologist

Professional Experience

I derive my therapeutic values from the principles of Hakomi. I have a strong belief that families are inter-connected emotional systems that have the capacity to heal themselves when provided safe, loving, mindful environments.

Dennis

Professionalism

Commitment

Honest Relationships

Unconditional Positive Regard

Caring

Innovation

Dennis began caring for youth and adolescents as a Platoon Trained Commander for the Canadian Armed Forces. In this role, he was directly responsible for the lives and welfare of 30 young soldiers, aged 17-20 years old. He learned first-hand, on UN peacekeeping missions, that when teenagers are provided with the right nurturance and support, they will thrive even in the face of extreme challenges.

After leaving the military in 2001, Dennis completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and began a new career as a youth worker. He enjoyed engaging with youth and connecting with them on various private therapeutic school programs, especially outdoor wilderness treatment. After completing a two-year contract in the Middle East as a school counsellor, Dennis returned to Edmonton and completed his Master of Counseling degree.

After graduating, Dennis worked with Alberta Health Services (AHS) as a family counsellor for 8 years, providing addictions counselling support and family therapy for families in Edmonton. He launched Edmonton Addiction Family Therapy Services to support teens and families in Edmonton struggling with mental health and addictions.

Edmonton Addictions Family Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is your confidentiality policy?

At Edmonton Addiction Family Counselling Services Inc., we take confidentiality and privacy very seriously. All information shared during counselling sessions is strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without the client’s written consent, except in cases where there is a legal obligation to report abuse, neglect, or harm to oneself or others.

Do you offer online sessions or telehealth services on Zoom?

The short answer is yes. During the initial assessment session, it is preferred to have the session face to face but this is not absolutely necessary.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment at Edmonton Addiction Family Counselling Services Inc., please notify us at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged a cancellation fee. If you do not show up for your appointment without prior notice, you will be charged the full session fee.

What payment methods do you accept?

Edmonton Addiction Family Counselling Services Inc. currently accepts payment by cash or e-transfer. Direct insurance company billing is also available.

How can a client access funding to receive care?

Clients can fund sessions through work insurance, as we direct bill to most insurance providers. We’re also qualified providers for Veterans Affairs Canada, Medavie – Blue Cross. We’re also a qualified NIHB provider for Indigenous clients with a valid ID number, and are in the process of becoming a provider for the Metis Nation of Alberta.

Do you offer parking?

There are many paid parking lots downtown, near our office. We can validate your parking. Please bring your paper or electronic receipt into our office and we will reimburse you for your parking charge.

How do you engage with challenging youth?

We have years of experience in working with difficult or challenging teenagers and young adults. We can meet in the community at a park or coffee shop, to make the interaction relaxing and comfortable. We also offer virtual reality (VR) technology to help with emotional regulation and impulse control training.

Do you offer any additional coaching or post-session support?

Yes, we offer coaching and post-session support, free of charge. Clients can call or text Dennis in an emergency if they hit an unexpected craving. Since this support is complimentary, we can support clients on a first come, first serve basis, for a phone call duration of 10 minutes or less. If you need further support, we can refer you to other resources.

How do you take notes during sessions?

We are currently experimenting with different scribes to streamline our documentation process and we may ask for your consent to use the scribe during your sessions.

Visit our policy page to learn more.