5 FAQs

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Mark Nasmith, author of Float, Move and Fight, to take a closer look at SMART Recovery and how it approaches addiction and recovery.

Mark breaks down what SMART Recovery is, how it differs from 12-Step programs, and what someone can expect when they attend their first meeting. We also explore some of the common misconceptions about SMART Recovery, the strengths and limitations of its Four-Point Program, and the parts of recovery that can be the most challenging to work through.

Whether you are considering SMART Recovery yourself, supporting someone in recovery, or simply want to better understand the different approaches available, this conversation offers an honest and practical look at SMART Recovery and where it fits within the broader recovery landscape.

Learn more about Mark Nasmith's book, Float, Move and Fight here.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL ANSWER:

• What is SMART Recovery, and how is it different from other recovery support groups such as 12-Step programs?
• What can someone expect at their first SMART Recovery meeting, and what might be different from what they expect?
• What are some of the most common misconceptions people have about SMART Recovery?
• Is there anything SMART Recovery or its Four-Point Program may not address as well as other recovery approaches?
• Which of the Four Points has been the most challenging for you personally, or do you see participants struggle with most?

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Saretta Herman from Layla Care to explore the many directions a career in social work can take. From leadership and strategy to technology, innovation, and building new programs, Saretta challenges the idea that social work has to follow a traditional career path.

Drawing from her own experience, she shares advice for social workers who are considering a career change, looking for new opportunities, or wondering how they can make a bigger impact in the field. We also explore the risks, limiting beliefs, and practical steps that can shape a career beyond frontline practice.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL ANSWER:

• What are some of the most interesting or unexpected career paths available to social workers today?
• What career mistakes or limiting beliefs can hold social workers back from pursuing new opportunities?
• What career risks can open unexpected doors, and what can we learn from taking them?
• Where are the biggest opportunities for social workers to innovate in mental health care, including care delivery, systems, and technology?
• How can social workers position themselves for careers in leadership, strategy, and program development?

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Dr. Anita Federici, clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert in eating disorders, to explore how Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is transforming the treatment of eating disorders. While eating disorders are often misunderstood as being about food, weight, or willpower, Dr. Federici explains the complex emotional and psychological factors that drive these illnesses and how evidence-based approaches like DBT help people build lasting recovery.

Together, we discuss the role of emotion regulation, shame, perfectionism, and identity in eating disorders, as well as what meaningful progress in recovery can look like, even when it doesn't feel obvious. Whether you're living with an eating disorder, supporting someone you love, or working in mental health, this episode offers practical insights into one of today's most effective treatment approaches.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL ANSWER:

• DBT is traditionally associated with emotion regulation and suicidality—how has it been adapted to effectively treat eating disorders?
• Eating disorders are often misunderstood as being about food or willpower. What's actually going on beneath the surface from a psychological perspective?
• Many individuals with eating disorders struggle with emotions like shame, control, and perfectionism. How does DBT help people build a healthier relationship with those emotions?
• Recovery can feel overwhelming at the start. What are some early signs that treatment is actually working, even if progress feels slow?
• One of the biggest fears is giving up the eating disorder. How does DBT help people let go of something that feels both harmful and protective?

Learn more about the work Dr. Federici does here, or connect with them on Instagram.

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Ian L., who shares his lived experience of addiction, recovery, and navigating that journey as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Through an honest and deeply personal conversation, Ian reflects on the unique challenges that can affect mental health and substance use, the importance of finding affirming spaces, and the resilience that comes from embracing both recovery and identity.

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, internationally certified prevention specialist, Canadian Certified Addiction Counsellor, and Registered Recovery Coach Rand Teed joins Kira Novak, Director of Operations at EHN Edgewood Nanaimo, to explore the evolving conversation around cannabis, stress, and recovery. As cannabis use becomes increasingly normalized and approaches like "California sober" gain popularity, many people are left wondering where the line lies between harm reduction and harmful use.

Drawing on both lived experience and clinical expertise, Rand and Kira discuss the realities of cannabis addiction, the role chronic stress plays in substance use, and why managing stress is essential for long-term recovery. Whether you're in recovery yourself, supporting someone you love, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of cannabis use, this episode offers practical insights to help separate fact from fiction.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL ANSWER:

• Cannabis is often seen as "low risk" or even therapeutic—what are you both seeing in terms of cannabis addiction in real life, and where does perception differ from reality?
• The idea of being "California sober" is becoming more common. From your perspectives, what are the challenges with this approach?
• Stress is one of the biggest relapse triggers. How does chronic stress interact with cannabis use specifically, and what patterns do you see in people who get stuck in that cycle?
• If someone feels caught in a loop of stress → substance use → more stress, what are the first practical steps to break that cycle before it escalates?
• What practical tools or habits have helped you manage stress without turning to substances?

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Alex Perry from Soma Medical to explore one of the most important and often overlooked stages of recovery: returning to work. While completing treatment is a significant milestone, transitioning back into the workplace can bring new challenges, including stress, uncertainty, workplace triggers, and concerns about disclosure.

Drawing on expertise in occupational health and recovery, Alex shares practical strategies for navigating the return-to-work process while protecting long-term mental health and sobriety. From managing workplace expectations to recognizing early warning signs of relapse, this conversation offers valuable guidance for individuals in recovery, employers, and anyone supporting a loved one's journey back to work.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL ANSWER:

• Returning to work after treatment can feel overwhelming—what are the most common challenges people face in those first few weeks back?
• From a clinical and occupational perspective, what does a “successful” return to work look like for someone in recovery from substance use or mental health challenges?
• For individuals in recovery from substance use, what workplace triggers should they be most aware of, and how can they proactively plan for them?
• How should someone approach conversations with their employer about their return—how much should they share, and how do they set boundaries while protecting their recovery?
• If someone starts to feel overwhelmed, triggered, or at risk of relapse once they’re back at work, what are the first steps they should take?

Click here to learn more about Alex and the work she does at Soma Medical.

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Danielle Shinbine, incoming PhD student in counselling psychology at the University of Alberta, to explore the importance of LGBTQ+ affirming care in therapy and mental health support. Drawing on their research into LGBTQ+ well-being across the lifespan, Danielle discusses the unique challenges many individuals face when navigating identity, relationships, stigma, and mental health, particularly for those exploring their gender or sexuality later in life.

Together, we learn what truly affirming care looks like, how therapy can support identity exploration and healing, and what LGBTQ+ individuals should know when seeking safe, compassionate mental health support.

Today, we explore,

•  What are some key issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community that may come up in therapy, and how can therapists better educate themselves to provide affirming care? 
•  What are some key ways therapy can support individuals who are coming out or exploring their gender identity? 
•  How do experiences like coming out later in life or exploring gender and sexual identity as an older adult affect mental health needs? 
•  How can someone tell if a mental health provider is genuinely LGBTQ+ affirming, and what are some red flags to watch for? 
•  What advice would you give to LGBTQ+ adults seeking therapy for the first time who may feel nervous due to past negative experiences?

Learn more about Danielle Shinbine and the awesome work they do here.

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Evan Callan, MSW, RSW, SEP, a somatic psychotherapist who specializes in helping people reconnect with their bodies as part of the healing process. Drawing on his work in Somatic Experiencing, as well as influences from depth psychology, mindfulness, and contemplative traditions, Evan explains how trauma can live in the nervous system—and how learning to listen to the body can open powerful pathways toward recovery.

Together, we explore how somatic therapies work in practice, what clients might notice in their bodies during treatment, and how gentle, nervous-system–focused approaches can support healing from trauma and grief.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL ANSWER:

• How does Somatic Experiencing work?
• What might somatic signals of trauma look like in the body?
• What does a typical Somatic Experiencing session look like, and how might a therapist guide the process?
• How does Somatic Experiencing support people who have experienced trauma and grief?
• What is “titration,” and why is it important in trauma therapy?

Learn more about Evan Callan's work here.

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Monika Frejlich, Vice President of Communications at the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation, to explore the evolving landscape of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) across Canada. With experience spanning frontline public service, the Government of Ontario, and national leadership in communications and policy, Monika brings a systems-level perspective to one of the most urgent issues facing our healthcare and judicial institutions.

Together, we unpack the judicial recommendations, policy shifts, and systemic gaps shaping the national conversation on IPV today. From challenging misconceptions to strengthening institutional accountability, this episode highlights why standardized training and coordinated reform are critical to protecting survivors and improving early intervention.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL ANSWER:

• Where does IPV currently stand within the judicial and political landscape in Canada?
• What are the most common misconceptions about IPV that professionals still hold—and how do those misconceptions impact survivors seeking help?
• Why is widespread, standardized IPV training essential for people in positions of authority, such as police, judges, and healthcare providers?
• How can better training improve early identification and intervention when survivors intersect with the healthcare or judicial system?
• What are some practical, achievable steps institutions can take to integrate mandatory IPV training into policies and ongoing professional development?

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.

In this episode of 5 FAQs by EHN Canada, we sit down with Christina McNeill, Manager of Clinical Services at Acclaim Ability Management, to explore what returning to work after addiction or mental health treatment really looks like. Drawing on her leadership of the Mental Health Ecosystem and her multidisciplinary clinical background, Christina shares practical insights on reintegration, workplace communication, and sustaining recovery in high-pressure environments. This conversation highlights how coordinated care, ongoing therapy, and meaningful social support can help individuals return to work with confidence, without compromising their well-being.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL ANSWER:

• What are the key challenges faced when returning to work after rehabilitation?
• What role does ongoing therapy play in successful reintegration?
• How can one effectively communicate with employers about their return to work after treatment?
• How can one manage workplace stress to prevent relapse?
• What role does social support play in the reintegration process?

To connect with Christina, click here.

To learn more about the work that Christina and the Acclaim Ability family do, click here.

What do you think of the show?

Learn more about EHN Canada and starting your own mental health treatment journey at ehncanada.com.

To learn about how EHN Guardians supports Military, Veterans and First Responder communities, click here: ehnguardians.ca.