Dr. Aleks Milosevic, C.Psych.
You’ve realized something has to change in your life – that your life can’t keep going on the same way any longer. You don’t want to keep feeling this way, acting this way, or being in your relationships in this way. I admire you for being willing and open to look honestly at yourself, and for reaching out for professional support after you’ve tried to deal with things as best as you could on your own. I look forward to being part of your journey toward improving your self and your relationships!
People who seek my professional help, whether for psychotherapy or psychological evaluations, are often having difficulties with the following: negative emotions, including depression and grief, anxiety and fear, shame, and anger; behaviours that negatively affect their self-esteem, work, and/or relationships including aggression, addictions, and/or compulsions; or, patterns in their relationships that prevent them from feelings good about themselves or developing more satisfying connections. I also have significant experience working with individuals struggling with personality styles or disorders (e.g., antisocial, narcissistic, borderline, obsessive-compulsive, avoidant, schizoid, etc.) and supporting them to grow in their self and relationship experiences. While I work with individuals from all types of backgrounds and experiences, I have a special interest in working with visual artists and with individuals working at executive levels.
In addition, I have a specific interest and extensive clinical experience in the treatment of substance use-related difficulties, sexual addiction, and problem gambling. I provide psychological services to individuals experiencing difficulties related to the use of all types of substances (alcohol, recreational drugs, prescription medications, anabolic steroids). My clients tend to have different concerns when addressing their substance use. Some of you might want to come in for assistance to address issues of unwanted substance use or over-use (e.g., binge use, frequent use), or addictive use (e.g., chronic use impairing how you are functioning in everyday life). Some of you might want to consult with me to explore your current substance use for the purpose of changing some aspect of your use (e.g., quantity, frequency), while some of you may to explore how to abstain from use and maintain abstinence. I also have clinical experience working with individuals who are distressed as a result of repeated or compulsive sexual behaviours (e.g., concerns about frequent pornography use, use of massage parlors and escorts) and risky sexual behaviours.
During our first appointment, we will clarify the issues that are of utmost concern to you, and in the first session and throughout treatment you are in control of what we speak about at all times (i.e., you decide what you are comfortable to share with me, and only share if you are feeling safe and comfortable to do so). I will share with you my thoughts about what I believe is causing your current difficulties and together we will set up a treatment plan to achieve your goals. To understand your current difficulties, I will conduct a comprehensive, scientific-based assessment and gather information about your personal history and life experiences. As an “integrative” psychologist, I bring together various theories of human psychological development, and affective/emotion and neuroscience research, to inform the intervention strategies I use with my clients. To help you change and grow, I use interventions that are proven effective and that are tailored specifically to your needs and concerns, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, systemic, mindfulness-based, and motivational enhancement approaches.
I also have published addiction-related research in top-tiered scientific research journals – my most recent publications include the following:
Milosevic, A., Ahmed, A.G., Adamson, D., Michel, S.F., & Seto, M.C.A (2018, July). Evaluation of a substance use treatment program for forensic psychiatric inpatients. Journal of Substance Use, 23(6), 640-647.
Cairncross, M., Milosevic, A., Struble, C., Ellis, J., & Ledgerwood, D.M. (2019, April). Clinical and personality characteristics of problem and pathological gamblers with and without symptoms of adult ADHD. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 207(4), 246-254.
Moon, M., Lister, J.J., Milosevic, A., & Ledgerwood, D.M. (2017, September). Subtyping non-treatment-seeking problem gamblers using the pathways model. Journal of Gambling Studies, 33(3), 841-853.
Lister, J.J., Milosevic, A., & Ledgerwood, D.M. (2015, August). Personality traits of problem gamblers with and without alcohol dependence. Addictive Behaviors, 47, 48-54.
Lister, J.J., Milosevic, A., & Ledgerwood, D.M. (2015, August). Psychological characteristics of problem gamblers with and without mood disorder. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 60(8).
Milosevic, A., & Ledgerwood, D.M. (2010, December). The subtyping of pathological gambling: A comprehensive review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(8), 988-998.
Since 2005, I have provided psychological assessment and treatment services in various settings including community health centres, outpatient mental health and substance use clinics, inpatient psychiatric and forensic psychiatric units, and private practices.
My B.Sc. in General Science (2002), B.A. in Psychology (2004), and M.A. (2007) and Ph.D. (2011) in Clinical Psychology were earned from the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario. I am currently registered as a psychologist with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) with competencies in Clinical and Forensic Psychology. I am a member of the Canadian Psychological Association.
Treatments
- Anger & Emotion Regulation
- Anxiety & Stress
- Career & Workplace
- Depression, Mood & Grief
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Personality
- Self-Growth & Self-Esteem
- Sexual Addiction
- Substance Use
- Trauma Psychology & PTSD
Assessment
Therapies
- Attachment-Based/Mentalization Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical-Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Existential-Humanistic Therapy
- Integrative Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Therapies (E.G., MBSR, MBCT)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI, MET)
- Psychodynamic/Analytic
- Relational Therapy
- Systemic Therapy