I've been there.
I know what it's like.
I can help.
When I say I’ve been there, I mean it.
I've done the all-nighters, sometimes several days in a row. I was often the last one up. I've experienced blackouts, trauma, job losses, financial difficulties, brushes with the law, and I hurt many people. I hid, justified, and lied about my problematic drinking and cocaine use. I lived a double life with cover ups, irritability, anger, sadness, and depression.
I've been through an alcohol detox facility twice, in-patient drug rehab twice. I’ve attended hundreds of support groups and many counselling and therapy sessions to get to where I am today.
I am a different person now and I love what I do! For the past 15 years I have worked in various capacities in the field of substance use, addiction and mental health.
Don't let my brief bio scare you if that doesn't align with your experience or where you're currently at! I work with a range of clients from low-to-moderate consumers of alcohol and other substances to full blown dependancy and addiction and everything in between.
Ways We Can Help
Our addiction treatment services include: drug and alcohol counsellor, psychological assessments, online addiction treatment, virtual rehab, alcohol coach, pornography coach, gaming coach, case management, mental health support. We are experienced in helping clients learn how to stop drinking alcohol, stop smoking weed or consuming cocaine, opiates and prescription medication. Some of the best private addiction treatment available on Vancouver Island British Columbia — also accessible online to anyone in Canada or around the world.
Connect When You’re Ready
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when you’re struggling with substance use concerns. We’ll help make sense of what’s going on and walk you through your options. You’ll get confidential and judgement-free answers to your questions — with no pressure to make any decisions. Let's have a conversation.
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1.888.308.0002
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Coach@MichaelWalsh.com
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As Featured In
Michael Walsh is one of Canada's leading Substance Use & Addiction Experts.
- Michael has worked in the field of mental health, substance use and addictions for 15 years in non-profit, public and private health services
- Michael co-created and is the Executive Director of Home Based Recovery Canada, Inc — an online addiction treatment program that combines Recovery Coaching and psycho-educational and skills building content created by a well-known multi-disciplinary team that include psychologists, recovery coaches, counsellors, therapists and addiction medicine physicians.
- Michael is a a founding member and director of Recovery Coaches Canada and a member of the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation.
- Michael has curated a strong and diverse team of some of the best Recovery Coaches in Canada that are based in Duncan, Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Kelowna, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax and in California USA.
- Services are provided online, to clients across Canada, the USA, Europe and any country in the world. Some services available in-person depending on the city — just ask.
To learn more about how we’re impacting the lives of our clients and their loved ones, please visit our testimonials page by clicking the button below. If you are looking for alcohol treatment, outpatient treatment for alcoholism, online drug and alcohol counselling, alcohol rehab programs, support before or after alcohol detox, psychologist services, family therapy, family counselling or any type of mental health counselling in Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, across Vancouver Island and British Columbia or any city in Canada — we can help.
Is Recovery Coaching Right For You?
As Recovery Coaches, we support you in achieving your goals, whether that involves cutting back, maintaining abstinence, or seeking formal treatment. Whether working with an individual client one-on-one or as part of a clinical team — we'd love to support you.
Our relationship is built on open and honest exploration, and is beneficial to people at all stages of recovery whether:
- You are sober curious, want to cut down, take a break or quit drinking
- You want to learn how to quit smoking weed
- You are working with an addictions counsellor and want to add a Recovery Coach
- You want to get back on track after a slip or relapse and want to build an addiction recovery plan
- You want to explore alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs
- You have stopped many times, but can’t seem to stay stopped
- You want to prioritize recovery, but life is busy and it’s hard to find time
- You want to explore the reasons why you drink or consume other substances in the first place
- You recently completed an in-patient or out-patient program or just got out of detox
- You don’t feel things are bad enough for alcohol inpatient rehab or intensive outpatient addiction treatment, but you want to change
- You are not sure if you have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol in the first place
- You are exploring online and virtual addiction treatment options
You’re in the right spot, and we’d love to help.
Together, we'll help you explore your relationship to alcohol and work toward cutting back, taking a break, or quitting alcohol altogether.
Looking to Help a Loved One?
The addiction of a loved one brings up many difficult questions and scenarios that may leave you feeling like you’re stuck on a never-ending emotional rollercoaster.
My other service, run by me and my team of passionate recovery professionals, offers support specifically for family members who want help to conduct an alcohol, alcoholism or drug intervention in Victoria BC or Vancouver BC. Or if an Intervention feels like too much we offer Family Coaching & Consulting using the CRAFT Model of Addiction.
Through Interventions.ca, we provide invitational drug and alcohol interventions and family counseling sessions. These services are geared specifically at those with a loved one who is struggling with alcoholism or substance use concerns.
“I was met without judgement which made me comfortable enough to share anything.”
A.G.
Powerful Addiction Resources
Sober Coaching FAQs
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Where and how frequently do we meet?
- A plan is customized for your situation, so the specifics of how often we meet vary depending on your needs.
- Currently all of our work is virtual.
- Online Recovery Coaching is just as effective as in-person work, enabling you to develop the necessary rapport and trust with your Sober Coach in order to create dynamic outcomes.
- Doing the work digitally means we can connect with anyone in any location. We currently work with clients in Canada, the USA, Europe and SE Asia. However, we recognize you may need in-person contact.
- Frequency of sessions depends on your needs:
- Some clients start with weekly 60-minute sessions for the first 4-6 weeks, and then taper frequency and duration to bi-weekly with 30-minute sessions.
- For those who need more contact and structure we engage 30-minute sessions twice-weekly for the first month.
- We are flexible to your needs, and will work to develop a plan that fits your schedule.
- Some clients use our services for 3 to 6 months, others 6 to 12 months, and some stay with us for two or more years.
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How much does Recovery Coaching cost?
- Six hours is a good place to start exploring Recovery Coaching as part of your life and decide whether it is the right approach for you to create the change you're looking for.
- We request that each client purchase a six hour block of time as a retainer which you can draw from through scheduled 30 or 60-minute sessions.
- Costs vary depending on the Recovery Coach you choose to work with and range from $500.00 to $900.00 per six hour block of time.
- For more information, please send us a message. We offer a no-charge video or phone consultation, and would be happy to discuss specifics – including pricing – while learning more about your needs.
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How do I choose a Recovery Coach?
- Sober Coaching is an emerging resource in Canada. It is imperative you are working with someone:
- With integrity
- A good reputation, and
- Who has your best interest in mind
- We believe that the most effective Recovery Coaches (Sober Coaches) have lived experience. Everyone on our team has some kind of history of substance use and successful recovery, achieved through a variety of approaches.
- At a minimum, accredited and/or Certified Recovery Coach training from a recognized company is essential. Your Sober Coach should also have current professional liability insurance.
- Your Recovery Coach should have a broad understanding and be open-minded to the various pathways to change and recovery in order to provide an individualised approach.
- Recovery Coaches who have work experience in various mental health and addiction facilities are a great benefit. These Coaches bring knowledge on how to navigate the various treatment systems and can link clients to trusted medical and clinical professionals as needed.
- Testimonials speak volumes about the work a Recovery Coach is doing.
- Sober Coaching is an emerging resource in Canada. It is imperative you are working with someone: