David Russell RSSW
Family Care and Addictions Counsellor
Drawing from my life's voyage, education, and professional training has prepared me to help guide families and individuals seeking recovery from addiction and mental health challenges. While many suggest recovery is about reinventing yourself, I believe it's more about reclaiming the person you've always been.
Having a client-centred approach grounded in trauma-informed care, evidence-based practices, and spiritual healing creates a balanced process that goes beyond managing symptoms to understanding and healing underlying causes. I practise holistically, empowering families and individuals to reclaim wholeness mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Recognising that addiction is a systemic issue affecting everyone, we focus on the whole family to create an environment for healing and sustainable change.
Philosophies and Thoughts.
Some mine, others not.Journeys vs Voyages
According to an ancient Chinese proverb, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.' True, yet I think of recovery more as a voyage. A voyage begins in one port of call, and with luck, billowed sails, and a fine ship and crew to help weather storms, squalls, monsters, rocks, and low tides, we find our way to a safe harbour. There we re-provision and head out once more in search of new discoveries that may lead to contentment and perhaps even joy. If you are ready to take the helm, I would be delighted to handle the sextant as your navigator.
No White Rabbit, Instead a Cat and a Girl Without a Plan
Alice came to a fork in the road. 'Which road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' responded the Cheshire Cat. 'I don't know.' Alice answered. 'Then,' said the cat, 'it doesn't matter.' — Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Days of Future Past
No, not the title of a Moody Blues album or a Marvel superhero film, but rather an examination of how our past, present, and future intersect and are interconnected in recovery. We often hear that we can only live for today; that yesterday is past and tomorrow is not yet written. While wallowing in and lamenting past failures isn't helpful, there is real value in carefully examining why we didn't achieve our goals, often disappointing ourselves and others.
Similarly, while tomorrow truly isn't yet written, without a clear path forward, we'll end up somewhere, but where, and why? Recovery and life requires understanding where we've been, being present for where we are, and having intention about where we're going.
Working together to develop your S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting strategy will empower you to become the writer of your own future story where you are both superhero and rock star. 'It is never too late to be what you might have been'.- George Eliot
To learn more about how these
Addiction & Family Care Programs can support you and your family, please reach out by email at drussell@path2change.ca or send a note here.