Kevin G. Alderson

<p>Dr. Kevin Alderson is a recognised international expert in the addiction field. He is a registered counselling psychologist in Alberta and Ontario and served as president of the College of Alberta Psychologists from 2018–2019. He retired as a professor emeritus from the University of Calgary in 2018. Today, he works in private practice and continues authoring books. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Dr. Alderson is a professional member of the Association for Addiction Professionals, and he holds the highest level of membership (i.e., Drug Demand Reduction Professional Membership) within the International Society of Substance Use Professionals. He currently sits on the editorial board for the <i>Journal of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse & Substance Dependence, and the Austin Journal of Drug Abuse and Addiction</i>. He holds membership in the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Between 2008 and 2020, Dr. Alderson was the editor-in-chief of the <i>Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy</i>, which is the only national peer-reviewed journal in the counselling and psychotherapy field in Canada. He was a founder of the first Doctor of Counseling and Psychotherapy degree program in Canada with Yorkville University. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>His most recent books include <i>Counseling Clients with Substance Use Disorders and/or Problematic Behaviors</i> (2nd ed.; 2026), <i> Counseling Today: Bridging Art, Science, and Practice </i> (2025), <i>The Concise Guide to Opioid Addiction for Counselors </i> (2021, with Samuel T. Gladding), <i> Addictions Counseling Today: Substances and Addictive Behaviors </i> (2020), and <i>Choosing the Right Counselor for You </i> (2019, with Samuel T. Gladding). </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>His earlier books include <i>Counselling: A Comprehensive Profession </i> (Canadian ed.; with Samuel T. Gladding), <i>Breathe, Freedom: A Comprehensive and Hypnotic Approach to Quitting Smoking, Grade Power: The Complete Guide to Improving Your Grades Through Self-Hypnosis, Counseling LGBTI Clients, Breaking Out II: The Complete Guide to Building a Positive LGBTI Identity, Same-Sex Marriage: The Personal and the Political</i> (with Kathleen Lahey), <i>Breaking Out, and Beyond Coming Out. </i></p>