Addictions & Harm Reduction Therapy in Calgary | Compassionate, Non-Judgmental Support
A Supportive Approach to Understanding Substance Use
Change doesn’t have to begin with rock bottom — it can begin with honesty, support, and a therapist who understands what you’re carrying. Harm reduction is a respectful, shame-free approach to addiction therapy. Instead of demanding perfection, it focuses on what’s realistic, safe, and meaningful to you.
At NU Psychology, you’ll work with a psychologist who specializes in addictions, emotional coping, and trauma-informed care for adults and teens. Harm reduction meets you where you are — and helps you move forward at a pace that feels doable.
What Is Harm Reduction / Addiction Therapy?
Harm reduction is an evidence-based, non-judgmental approach that emphasizes:
Understanding why you use
Reducing risk and negative impact
Supporting safer choices
Exploring the emotions underneath
Building healthier coping strategies
Honouring autonomy instead of enforcing rules
Instead of viewing addiction as a personal failure, harm reduction explores what your behaviour is helping you manage — and how to meet those needs in safer ways.
How Harm Reduction Helps Teens & Adults
Harm reduction therapy helps you:
Create realistic goals for change
Understand the emotional drivers of use
Reduce shame and self-blame
Interrupt urges and automatic habits
Increase safety and stability
Strengthen emotional regulation
Build healthier routines and coping tools
Improve relationships impacted by substance use
It’s collaborative, compassionate, and focused on what feels possible for you right now. Harm reduction is helpful for:
Alcohol or cannabis use
Prescribed or non-prescribed medication misuse
Vaping or nicotine dependence
Gambling or impulsive behaviours
Compulsive spending, sex, or food-related coping
Stress and emotional overwhelm
Trauma-related coping
ADHD-driven impulsivity or emotional dysregulation
Harm reduction also pairs well with CBT, ACT, EMDR, and Narrative Therapy to support deeper emotional work.
The NU Process: Harm Reduction Therapy
Understanding Your Goals
“What feels realistic and important for you right now?”Exploring Triggers & Patterns
“When does the urge show up? What’s happening beneath the surface?”Creating Safer Strategies
“What helps you feel grounded, soothed, or less overwhelmed?”Identifying Strengths & Resources
“What does your ability to survive tell us about your resilience?”Choosing Practical Next Steps
Small, meaningful adjustments that support safety and long-term change.
Harm reduction stays respectful, flexible, and values-driven.
Your First NU Harm Reduction Session
Your first session focuses on:
What you want to see shift
What your substance or behaviour does for you
Where change already exists
Patterns that keep you stuck
What immediate supports can help
How other approaches (CBT, ACT, Narrative, EMDR) may complement the work
We offer in-person therapy in Calgary and online therapy across Alberta.
Is Harm Reduction the Right Fit for You?
Harm reduction is a strong match if you want:
A non-judgmental, collaborative approach
Realistic goals instead of rigid expectations
Support without pressure to quit immediately
Emotional exploration behind substance use
Tools for managing urges and triggers
A therapist who understands trauma, stress, and coping patterns
This approach meets you where you are — not where you “should” be.
Harm reduction is ideal when you’re ready for change that feels sustainable and kind. You don’t have to wait for a crisis or rock bottom.
Starting therapy now can help you:
Reduce harm and increase safety
Break self-defeating cycles
Build coping skills that actually work
Strengthen confidence in your ability to change
Understand emotional triggers
Decrease shame and secrecy
Improve relationships affected by use
Small shifts can create meaningful change — even early on.
If you’re ready for compassionate support, clear direction, and meaningful change, harm reduction can help you build a safer and more empowered relationship with substances.
Book online, call, or email to get matched with a psychologist who offers harm reduction therapy in Calgary.
📍 2005 – 37 St SW, Unit #4, Calgary
📞 403-217-4686
Start Harm Reduction Therapy in Calgary
Serving Calgary’s Inner Southwest & Beyond
NU Psychology is located in Killarney, Calgary, easy to reach from:
Aspen Woods · West Springs · Cougar Ridge · Discovery Ridge · Springbank · Signal Hill · Strathcona · Mount Royal · Altadore · Bankview · Glendale · Westgate · Wildwood · Hillhurst · Sunalta · Lakeview
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Harm reduction is built for people who are somewhere in the middle — not fully ready to stop, but wanting a healthier or safer relationship with substances. Research shows that when guilt and pressure decrease, people are far more likely to make sustainable changes. Therapy helps you create momentum without forcing a timeline.
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This is extremely common. Substances often become coping tools long before they become problems. Our approach looks at why your behaviour makes sense — and helps you build safer ways to manage the emotions underneath, rather than treating the substance as the issue itself.
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Yes. Everything in therapy is confidential. Our role is to support your safety and well-being — not to punish, shame, or report. Transparency helps us understand your story so we can support you effectively and compassionately.
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No. Harm reduction therapy is collaborative and shame-free. You choose your goals — whether that’s cutting back, using more safely, understanding your patterns, or exploring alternatives. Our job is to support you, not control your decisions.