Call Dr. Pat: (403) 324-1875

Addictions

Support groups: The pros and cons as a complement to therapy

In this article, I discuss how attending a support group can sometimes be helpful in addressing a therapy issue. Clients often seek therapy to address maladaptive behaviours which are negatively affecting their lives and the lives of those around them. Among these behaviours are substance use, gambling, procrastination, binge eating and cheating on one’s relationship partner. For some of these issues, support groups are available to further help clients with their challenges and struggles. These groups typically involve meetings among several people who are dealing with a particular issue. Among the most notable of these support groups are Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and Sex Addicts Anonymous. My experience in having worked in therapy with many clients who have attended such groups is that they can be helpful but are necessarily so. In the following sections, I will discuss these pros and cons of support groups as a complement to therapy...[more]

2022-07-17T19:48:17-06:00By |Categories: Addictions|
Read More

How to address three types of beliefs which drive maladaptive behaviours

In this article, I discuss how to address problematic behaviours such as substance use by addressing three distinct kinds of beliefs which drive them. In my last article, I discussed three kinds of beliefs which lead people to engage in maladaptive behaviours such as substance use, gambling, procrastination, binge eating and cheating on one’s relationship partner. These include negative core beliefs about the self, permission-giving beliefs and beliefs which occur following engagement in the maladaptive behaviour. As I discussed in my last article, the cycle of these three beliefs driving maladaptive behaviours can continue indefinitely. Fortunately, however, the cycle can be broken with strategies to address the three types of beliefs which drive the maladaptive behaviours.  I will discuss these strategies in the following sections...[more]

2022-07-03T20:05:42-06:00By |Categories: Addictions, Psychology|
Read More

Three types of beliefs which drive maladaptive behaviours

In this article, I discuss how problematic behaviours such as substance use are typically driven by three distinct kinds of beliefs. Clients often seek therapy to address maladaptive behaviours which are negatively affecting their lives and the lives of those around them. Among these behaviours are substance use, gambling, procrastination, binge eating and cheating on one’s relationship partner. A first step in addressing such maladaptive behviours is identifying beliefs the person has which lead them to engage in the behaviours. The beliefs which lead to the behaviours are of three kinds.  I will discuss these beliefs in the following sections...[more]

2022-07-03T19:51:39-06:00By |Categories: Addictions, Psychology|
Read More

But I don’t want to give that up! How to make it easier to form a new habit

In this article, I discuss ways you can be OK with giving up benefits of a current habit when you are trying to change to a new habit. I recently made several changes to my diet in order to be healthier, lose weight and enhance my performance in a 12-k swim event in which I will be competing this August. Among the changes was what I put in my two cups of coffee each day. For years, my habit would entail adding milk and two teaspoons of sugar to each cup of coffee. Then a few years ago my sweet morning indulgence became even sweeter when I began adding four tablespoons of vanilla syrup to the sugar I was already stirring into each cup. This sugary Xanadu became a thing of the past for me when I recently stopped putting sugar and vanilla syrup in my coffee...[more]

2022-02-08T15:18:07-07:00By |Categories: Addictions, Psychology|
Read More

Struggling in making progress toward a goal? Start by forming keystone habits

In this article, I discuss how achieving small successes by forming particular habits can lead you to make significant progress toward your goals. In my last article, I discussed how to form good habits and eliminate bad habits. I defined habits as behaviours or sequences of behaviours which a person performs regularly by focusing on the three components of a habit--cue, routine and reward. In this article, I focus on the value of forming keystone habits. These are habits which have the additional value of spurring you to form additional habits which can lead you to make significant progress toward your goals in different areas of life...[more]

2022-02-08T15:18:08-07:00By |Categories: Addictions, Psychology, Relationships|
Read More

Habits: How to form good ones and break bad ones

In this article, I discuss how you can focus on three components to help you initiate positive habits and eliminate negative habits. Although psychologists help clients address a multitude of issues and achieve a myriad of goals, success in most instances entails a focus on habits. These are behaviours or sequences of behaviours which a person performs regularly. The good habits we engage in have positive effects while the bad habits have negative effects. Therefore, a goal most people share is to add to their positive habits and eliminate their negative habits...[more]

2022-02-08T15:18:08-07:00By |Categories: Addictions, Psychology|
Read More

High-risk situations: To approach or avoid—that is the question

In this article, I discuss whether and under what circumstances you should approach or avoid high-risk situations when addressing an addictive behaviour.In my work as a Calgary psychologist and a Cochrane psychologist, I often work with clients whose goal is to reduce or eliminate behaviours which are having negative effects on their lives. Among the behaviours are drug and alcohol use, gambling, eating issues (binge eating or bingeing and purging), viewing pornography and cheating on one’s partner in a relationship.When these behaviours become habitual, they often take on the characteristics of an addiction. These characteristics include...[more]

2022-02-08T15:18:09-07:00By |Categories: Addictions, Eating Disorders|
Read More

The circle model: A framework for understanding and addressing problematic behaviour patterns

In this article, I discuss a model I use to help clients whose goal is to reduce or eliminate behaviours which are having negative effects on their lives.In my work as a Calgary psychologist and a Cochrane psychologist, I sometimes work with clients whose goal is to reduce or eliminate behaviours which are having negative effects on their lives. Among the behaviours are drug and alcohol use, gambling, eating issues (binge eating or bingeing and purging), viewing pornography and cheating on one’s partner in a relationship.When working with these clients, I typically start by having them gain an understanding of the causes of their issues by using a vivid pictorial model. This model also provides directions for steps clients can take to address their issues...[more]

2022-02-08T15:18:09-07:00By |Categories: Addictions, Eating Disorders|
Read More

The first step in reducing problematic behaviours: Avoid high-risk situations which you can avoid

In this article, I discuss the importance of steering clear of settings and activities which make it more likely you will choose to engage in behaviours you are trying to reduce or eliminate. In my work as a Calgary psychologist and a Cochrane psychologist, I often help clients whose goals are to reduce or eliminate behaviours which are having negative effects on their lives. These behaviours include alcohol and drug use, gambling, internet use, and binge eating--to name a few. The first step I typically take in helping these clients is to make them aware of settings and activities which put them at risk for engaging in their problematic behaviours...[more]

2022-02-08T15:18:11-07:00By |Categories: Addictions, Eating Disorders|
Read More

Change your thinking to manage your emotions and your behaviours

In this article, I discuss how you can target different levels of thought for change in order to feel better emotionally and to break problematic behaviour patterns. In my work as a Calgary psychologist and a Cochrane psychologist, I often see clients who are seeking help with one or both of the following issues—experiencing unpleasant emotional states they would like to change (depression, anxiety, anger, frustration and guilt, to name a few) and engaging in problematic behaviour patterns (substance use, binge-eating, procrastination, being unassertive, and avoiding social situations, to name a few). Fortunately, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) offers strategies which help people address both these issues—alleviating the intensity of unpleasant emotions and breaking problematic behaviour patterns. CBT helps people address these issues by targeting negative thought patterns for change...[more]

2022-02-08T15:18:12-07:00By |Categories: Addictions, Depression|
Read More
Go to Top