Addictions Therapy in Oshawa, Ontario

Addictive behaviours rarely start as a lack of willpower.
They usually begin as a solution — a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, numb distress, feel relief, or escape painful thoughts.

Over time, the behaviour starts creating the very problems it once helped manage.

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You may notice:

• Promising yourself you will stop — and not being able to

• Binge or compulsive patterns

• Secrecy or shame around use

• Cravings that feel stronger than logic

• Using to manage stress, emotions, or relationships

• Cycles of motivation followed by relapse

• Feeling out of control despite understanding consequences

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Recovery is not about shame or punishment. It is about understanding what the behaviour is doing for you and building safer, sustainable ways to meet those same needs.

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Stephanie. Campoli Psychotherapy in Oshawa, Ontario provides support for anyone at any stage of recovery, whether you’re just starting to explore change or already on your way. We’ll look at what’s working, what’s getting in the way, and what additional treatment referrals (like in-patient programs or addiction medicine) might be a good fit. The focus is always on your goals and what recovery looks like for you. I specialize in both substance use (alcohol & drugs) and behavioural addictions (gambling, gaming/technology)​​​

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What I Treat

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Therapy supports both substance use and behavioural addictions, including:

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• Alcohol use

• Cannabis or other substances

• Gambling

• Compulsive spending

• Binge eating patterns

• Sexual compulsivity

• Gaming or internet overuse

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You do not need to identify as an “addict” or be ready for abstinence to begin therapy.

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A Skills-Based Approach to Recovery

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Addictive behaviours are strongly linked to emotion regulation, impulsivity, and avoidance of internal experiences. Treatment focuses on understanding triggers and building alternative responses — not just trying harder to resist urges.

Therapy may integrate:

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• Behavioural analysis of relapse cycles

• Emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills

• Urge management strategies

• Cognitive restructuring of permission-giving thoughts

• Values-based decision making

• Relapse prevention planning

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We focus on changing patterns, not judging them.