Dean Anderson is Certified through the CPCA as an RPC & MPCC (Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling) from London, ON. He specializes in addiction and substance use disorders and currently wears many hats in the addiction and recovery communities, including being a Private Practice Counsellor, MAP Service Provider, Consultant, and NRT Practitioner. His experience includes withdrawal management, residential treatment, peer support, residential trauma, private care, and several volunteering ventures. His dedication to the field is reflected in the multiple committees, programs, and community events, including formerly chairing the Community of Practice for the CACCF. He also uses his knowledge and experience as a Clinical Supervisor to help grow the addiction counselling profession as a whole. In addition, Dean uses his lived experience to be an advocate for addiction recovery and the removal of stigma through public speaking, educational workshops, and hosting a local TV show about stigma and addiction.
Dean Anderson
RPC, MPCC, ICADC
London, Ontario
Education and Certifications:
McMaster University, Professional Addiction Studies Diploma
RPC, MPCC, Registered Professional Counsellor, Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling with the CPCA
Member of the NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals
University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Certificate in Intensive Smoking Cessation Counselling, CBT Accreditation, and DBT Accreditation
The Monarch System, Motivational Interviewing and Coaching Skills Level 3
Chestnut Health Systems, GAIN Q3 MI Assessment Certified
Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, Certificates in Smoking Protection, Evaluation, Cessation, and Prevention.
Mental Health First Aid Certificate, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Livingworks, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certified
The Red Cross, First Aid, and CPR Certified.
Crisis Prevention Institute, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certified.
More about Dean,
My life has unfolded in ways I never could have imagined. While it’s been filled with both deep challenges and meaningful growth, I wouldn’t change any of it. Every step—both painful and purposeful—has brought me to where I am today: a clinical professional in addiction recovery, living a life of purpose rooted in service, healing, and connection.
Born and raised in London, Ontario, I’ve spent most of my life in the city’s south end. In fact, I recently had the privilege of purchasing the family home my father built before I was born—a full-circle moment that speaks to my deep ties to this place. As the stereotypical middle child of three, I was attention-seeking, overactive, and full of energy, always trying to find my place between my older brother and younger sister. Raised in the 70s by baby boomer parents who instilled in us the values of hard work, respect, honesty, and integrity, I’ve carried those lessons with me ever since.
I’m a father to four amazing, intelligent, and loving children—my greatest motivation for the work I do today. Rebuilding our relationships has been a major part of my ongoing recovery. We are actively healing, reconnecting, and strengthening our family bond through shared effort and vulnerability.
For much of my professional life, I worked in leadership and management roles in the service industry. My extroverted nature made it easy to connect with others, but it also made it easy to overindulge. Alcohol and drugs were a regular part of my life, and I lived in a cycle—abstaining for periods, then swinging back into heavy use. During my 30th year, after marrying my now ex-wife, I chose to quit psychoactive substances altogether. I remained sober for six years, climbed the corporate ladder, made money, raised a family, and lived what appeared to be the "perfect life." But underneath, anxiety and depression crept in. I felt increasingly disconnected and uncertain of my purpose. Eventually, I relapsed, and the fallout was devastating—my career, marriage, finances, and health all deteriorated, bringing me to the edge of collapse.
That rock-bottom moment introduced me to the recovery community, and everything changed. I immersed myself in everything recovery had to offer:
Mutual aid groups
Cognitive therapy
Relapse prevention
Institutional seminars
12-step meetings (hundreds of them)
Online learning and webinars
Social and volunteer-based recovery events
Through this journey, I found a new foundation in abstinence, self-care, emotional wellness, and holistic healing. I returned to school and earned a university education in Addictions at McMaster University, along with certifications in self-care and personal development from institutions like CMHA, the University of Toronto, and the Certified Coaches Federation. These experiences helped me realize my calling: to help others walk their own path toward recovery.
Today, I serve as the CEO of EPIC Recovery and Clinical Director at Forest City Healing Centre. With over a decade of experience, I provide compassionate, client-centred care that goes far beyond helping people stop using substances—it's about helping them build fulfilling, emotionally resilient lives. I also host Stirring Strength, a television show on addiction and mental health that has aired for five years, where I aim to reduce stigma and foster honest, open conversations about recovery.
My life today is rooted in service and gratitude. I still face challenges—life doesn’t stop being life—but I navigate them using the emotional regulation, self-compassion, and resilience I’ve learned in recovery. I’m deeply grateful to the recovery community and the people who helped me along the way. It’s truly an honour to share what I’ve learned and to help others find healing, hope, and the life they deserve.
If you would like to learn more about me or my journey please feel free to contact me with any questions.