Addiction & Substance Use Counselling in Surrey & Across BC
At Soothing Souls Counselling, addiction and substance use therapy is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in harm reduction. We provide an emotionally safe, non-judgmental space to explore what drives coping habits, manage urges, address co-occurring anxiety or trauma, and work toward your self-identified goals at your own pace.
Is This Support Right for You?
You might resonate with this counselling focus if you are navigating:
- Feeling like alcohol, cannabis, or other substances are taking up too much mental space or interfering with your life
- Using substances to numb emotional pain, chronic anxiety, burnout, or unprocessed memories
- Wanting to explore cutting back, taking a break, or practicing moderation without being forced into an all-or-nothing approach
- Experiencing shame, secretive habits, or relational conflict surrounding substance use
- Seeking relapse prevention tools and healthier coping strategies that genuinely work for your daily routine
- Looking for an empathetic clinical counsellor who respects your autonomy and personal recovery timeline
If you are experiencing heavy, continuous daily alcohol or sedative use, please speak with your family doctor, consult a physician at a walk-in clinic, or visit a hospital emergency department before attempting to stop abruptly. Outpatient counselling can safely begin once your physical safety and withdrawal plan are medically stabilized.
A Compassionate, Harm-Reduction Perspective
Society often attaches intense stigma and moral judgment to substance use. In our practice, we reject the notion that struggling with alcohol, cannabis, or other substances reflects a lack of willpower.
Grounded in harm reduction, we recognize that people use substances for reasons that often made sense at one point — to quiet a racing mind, numb loneliness, ease chronic pain, or escape overwhelming social anxiety. We focus on:
- Trigger Awareness & Pattern Mapping: Identifying the specific times, emotional states, and environments where cravings peak.
- Urge Surfing & Somatic Coping: Developing practical body-based tools to sit with discomfort without immediately turning to a substance.
- Relapse Prevention Without Shame: Viewing setbacks not as failures, but as valuable clinical data showing what needs extra support.
- Strengthening Emotional Resilience: Building authentic connections, finding supportive routines, and fostering self-compassion.
- National Overdose Response Service (NORS): 1-888-688-6677 (24/7 peer support line)
- The Lifeguard App: Free digital overdose prevention app available across BC
- BC Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441
Fees, Extended Health & Direct Billing
Clinical sessions are $160. Most British Columbia extended health insurance plans cover sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).
We provide direct billing for participating extended health plans via TELUS eClaims and Provider Connect (e.g. Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, Canada Life, Manulife), as well as direct billing for eligible ICBC Enhanced Care claims. Official receipts containing Rimsha Qureshi's BCACC registration (#29320) are issued immediately following every session for seamless submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to commit to complete abstinence to start counselling?
No. We practice from a harm reduction perspective. We meet you exactly where you are, whether your goal is total sobriety, reducing frequency, moderating intake, or simply understanding why you reach for substances during stress. You set the direction of our work.
What is the difference between counselling and medical detox?
Counselling is outpatient psychological therapy; it is not medical detoxification or withdrawal management. If you are experiencing physical dependency on alcohol or benzodiazepines, sudden cessation can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical supervision. We support your emotional recovery and long-term coping skills.
How do you address the emotional root causes of substance use?
Substance use rarely happens in a vacuum. Often, it begins as an understandable attempt to soothe emotional distress, chronic insomnia, traumatic memories, or interpersonal loneliness. In counselling, we gently uncover these root causes and develop alternative, sustainable coping resources.
Is what I share about substance use confidential?
Yes. All discussions are strictly confidential within the professional ethical standards of the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC). The only legal limits to confidentiality involve imminent risk of severe self-harm or harm to others, child protection concerns, or subpoenaed court orders.
Does extended health insurance cover addiction therapy?
Yes. Most BC extended health benefit plans include coverage for Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC). We direct-bill participating extended health plans via TELUS eClaims and Provider Connect. Receipts are provided for all sessions.
Related Clinical Services
Individual experiences with counselling vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.