The Substance Use Intensive
Change your relationship
with substance use.
A structured, evidence-based 90-minute intensive for adults who want to reduce, stop, or better understand their substance use — without needing ongoing addiction treatment.
Virtual across Ontario · Single-session behavioural intervention · Harm reduction approach
Learn how it worksThis is a good fit if you…
- Want to reduce or stop your substance use
- Struggle to cut back on your own
- Notice substance use is affecting your health, sleep, work, or relationships
- Are open to a brief, behavioural approach — including harm reduction
- Are concerned about alcohol, cannabis, nicotine or vaping, prescription medications, opioids, stimulants, or other substances
This may not be the right fit if you…
- Need medical detox or withdrawal management
- Have a history of severe alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal
- Are currently intoxicated
- Are experiencing active psychosis or mania
- Are in a psychiatric crisis or at acute risk of harm
- Need inpatient or residential treatment
If any of these apply, the free consult is still a good starting point — I'll help point you toward the right kind of care.
The process
How it works
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1
Book a free 15-minute consult
A relaxed call to talk through what's bringing you here and see if the intensive is the right fit.
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2
Book your session
If it's a good fit, we schedule your 90-minute Substance Use Intensive at a time that works for you.
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3
Attend your 90-minute Substance Use Intensive
A focused, single-session intensive over secure video — private, non-judgmental, and paced to your comfort.
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4
Receive your personalized action plan
A written, individualized plan with practical coping strategies and clear next steps.
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5
Optional follow-up support
Continued psychotherapy is available if clinically indicated.
Why this intensive?
Practical, evidence-based, judgment-free
Many people benefit from a single, focused session with real strategies — without having to enrol in a long-term addiction program.
Harm reduction approach
Non-judgmental and pragmatic. You set the goal — reduce, moderate, or stop — and we build a plan around it.
Rapid access
Referrals reviewed within 72 hours and a single-session model, so there's no long waitlist to get started.
Evidence-based
Draws on CBT, ACT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing — tools with real research behind them.
Who is this for?
When you want change, without a long program
The intensive is designed for adults with mild-to-moderate substance use concerns who want practical, behavioural support — whether the goal is cutting back, stopping, or better understanding what's driving the use.
What you'll leave with
- A comprehensive substance use & behavioural assessment
- A functional analysis of your patterns and triggers
- Evidence-based coping strategies (CBT, ACT, DBT, MI)
- Harm reduction education
- A personalized relapse-prevention & safety plan
- An individualized written action plan
- Clear next steps
Scope of service
What this intensive is — and isn't
The Substance Use Intensive is a psychotherapy and behavioural intervention. It's important to be clear about what falls inside and outside that scope.
Included
- Behavioural intervention and psychotherapy
- Assessment, coping strategies, and safety planning
- Harm reduction education
- Written action plan and clear next steps
- Brief summary letter available on request (with your consent)
Not included
- Medication prescribing or medication management
- Detoxification services or withdrawal management
- Inpatient or residential care
- Ongoing medical management (this stays with your physician or nurse practitioner)
Investment
Simple, transparent pricing
Substance Use Intensive
- Receipts provided for most extended health benefit plans.
- IFHP coverage may be available for eligible clients.
- Payment plans available upon request.
Extended health benefits
Receipts are provided for submission to most extended health benefit plans that include Registered Psychotherapy services. Coverage varies by provider and plan. Please contact your insurer directly to confirm eligibility.
IFHP coverage
Services may be available through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for eligible individuals. Please contact IFHP directly or speak with your settlement worker, case manager, or healthcare provider regarding coverage.
Questions
Frequently asked
Do I have to want to stop completely?
No. This is a harm reduction–informed intensive — you decide the goal. That might mean cutting back, taking a break, moderating, or stopping. The plan is built around what you want.
Is this the same as detox or rehab?
No. This is a psychotherapy and behavioural intervention — not detox, medication management, or residential treatment. If you need those, we can talk about it during the consult and I'll help direct you to the right kind of care.
Is this covered by insurance?
Many extended health benefit plans cover Registered Psychotherapy services. Direct receipts are provided for reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, so please check with your insurer. IFHP coverage may also be available for eligible clients. A payment plan is available on request — cost shouldn't be the barrier.
Do I need a physician referral?
A physician referral is welcomed but not required. You can book the free consult on your own.
Is this virtual?
Yes — sessions are held over a secure, PHIPA-compliant video platform and available to residents anywhere in Ontario.
Will my doctor be updated?
Only with your consent. A brief summary letter can be sent to your referring physician or care team on request.
Ready to take the next step?
The first step is a free 15-minute consult — a low-pressure call to see if this intensive is right for you.
For healthcare providers
Refer a patient for the Substance Use Intensive
A 90-minute, evidence-based brief behavioural intervention for adults with mild-to-moderate substance use concerns. Rapid access, harm reduction–informed, and delivered virtually across Ontario.
Downloadable resources
Referral Form & Info Sheet (PDF)Fax referrals: (807) 789-2120
After you refer: Reviewed within 72 hours. I contact your patient directly to schedule. A brief confirmation letter is available on request, with patient consent.
Appropriate referrals include adults with mild-to-moderate substance use concerns who want brief behavioural support. Not appropriate for those requiring medical detox, in acute psychiatric crisis, or needing inpatient / residential care.