Maybe the nightly drinks have crept from one to four. Maybe the betting app is open more than you'd like to admit, or you've promised yourself "this is the last time" more than once. Whatever the habit, you don't need to hit rock bottom before getting support. If you're looking for addiction counselling, Cambridge has outpatient help in Galt and online. This guide explains who it's for, what sessions look like and how to get started.
This post is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan.
Who addiction counselling is for
Addiction counselling is for anyone whose relationship with a substance or behaviour is causing problems, or starting to. You don't need a label or a diagnosis. People come to us for help with:
Alcohol. From drinking more than you planned to drinking that feels out of control.
Cannabis and other substances. Using to relax, sleep, cope or get through the day.
Gambling. Sports betting, online casinos or lottery spending that's getting away from you.
Gaming and screens. Hours lost that you'd rather spend elsewhere.
Porn and other compulsive behaviours. Habits that feel hard to stop, even when you want to.
Many people also come because a partner, friend or family member is worried. That's a valid starting point too.
Signs it may be time to talk to someone
There's no score to reach, but these signs suggest it could help to talk with someone:
you use more, or more often, than you intend to
you've tried to cut back and found it harder than expected
you use to cope with stress, sadness, anxiety or boredom
it's causing problems at work, at home or with money
people close to you have raised concerns
you feel guilt or shame about it, or hide it from others
If you recognize yourself here, you're not alone, and you're not a bad person. These patterns are very common, and they can change.
You don't have to be ready to quit
Some people come to counselling wanting to stop completely. Others want to cut back, understand why they use or simply figure out whether they have a problem. All of these are valid reasons to start.
Your therapist won't push you toward a goal you haven't chosen. You'll work together to decide what you want, and that goal can change over time. Many people find that once they feel less judged, it becomes easier to be honest about what's really going on.
What outpatient counselling looks like
Outpatient counselling means you come to regular sessions, in person or online, while carrying on with your daily life. With an addiction therapist, Cambridge clients typically work on two levels at once.
The practical level. This means understanding your patterns and building new ways to cope:
Spotting triggers. Noticing the people, places, feelings and times of day that lead to using.
Handling urges. Learning ways to ride out cravings without acting on them.
Managing hard feelings. Building healthier ways to deal with stress, loneliness, boredom or anger.
Planning for setbacks. Making a plan for slips, so a bad day doesn't turn into a bad month.
The deeper level. Many people use substances or behaviours to cope with pain underneath, like stress, grief, shame or past trauma. Counselling can help you understand and heal what's driving the habit, so you need it less.
Help with alcohol
Alcohol is the most common reason people reach out. Some people drink to unwind after work, to feel more at ease socially or to shut off racing thoughts at night. Over time, it can become harder to imagine coping without it.
Alcohol counselling in Cambridge with us is practical and private. You and your therapist look at when and why you drink, what you'd like to change and small, realistic steps to get there. If you've been searching for alcohol counselling, Cambridge offers this support at our Galt offices and online.
When anxiety, depression or trauma are part of it
Substance use and mental health often go hand in hand. Someone might drink to quiet anxiety, use cannabis to sleep or gamble to escape low mood. Over time, the habit can make those same feelings worse.
That's why it helps to work on both together. Our therapists support people with anxiety, depression and trauma, and they can address these alongside substance use in the same sessions. You don't have to sort out one before getting help with the other.
Keeping it private
Many people worry about who will find out. Counselling is confidential. What you discuss stays between you and your therapist, with a few legal limits, such as serious safety concerns, that your therapist will explain at the start. Your employer doesn't need to know you're coming, and online sessions let you meet from wherever feels most private.
What progress can look like
Progress isn't only measured in days without using. It can look like noticing an urge and choosing something else, going to a work event without drinking, or getting through a stressful week without your usual escape. It can mean fewer arguments at home, better sleep or less shame.
Slips can happen, and they don't erase the progress you've made. In counselling, a slip becomes useful information about what you need next, not a reason to give up.
For partners and family members
Watching someone you love struggle with substance use is hard. You might feel worried, angry, exhausted or unsure whether to step in or step back. Your own well-being matters too.
Individual sessions can give you a place to sort through your feelings, set boundaries and figure out how to support your loved one without losing yourself. Couples sessions can also help when substance use is affecting a relationship.
What we offer and what we don't
We provide outpatient substance use counselling, Cambridge, Ontario sessions included, for adults, in person and online. We don't provide detox, residential treatment or medical care for withdrawal. If withdrawal symptoms are severe or feel dangerous, call 911.
Our counselling can be a good fit whether you're just starting to question your habits or you've already made big changes and want support to keep going.
Our Cambridge offices or online
Main Street. Our main Cambridge office is at 188 Main Street, Cambridge, ON N1R 1W8, in Galt City Centre. You can reach it at (519) 621-8858. Our Cambridge clinic offers sessions seven days a week, in person or online.
Water Street North. Our second Galt office is at 73 Water St N, Suite 300, Cambridge, ON N1R 7L6, and sees children 6 and up, teens and adults. Its number is (519) 340-5778.
Online. Online sessions are available anywhere in Ontario on a secure, encrypted video platform. You can browse bios on our Cambridge team page to get a feel for who you might work with.
Cost and billing
Here's what to know about cost:
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician. Couples sessions range from $170 to $200.
Depending on your plan, insurance may cover some or all of the cost. Coverage varies, so it's worth checking your plan.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers, including for sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Desjardins is the exception: through TELUS eClaims, we can direct bill Desjardins for sessions with an RSW, RP or psychologist, but not for an RP (Qualifying).
Your first step
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. You don't need to explain everything. Just say you'd like support with substance use or a habit, and whether you'd prefer Main Street, Water Street North or online.
If you're in crisis: call 911 if someone may have overdosed, has severe withdrawal symptoms or is in immediate danger. If you're having thoughts of suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night. You can find more options on our crisis lines page.
Change rarely happens in a straight line. Reaching out, even while you're unsure, is a real step forward.