Michael McLaughlin, a registered therapeutic counsellor with a practice in Gibsons, is working with other mental health professionals to tackle the mental health issues that come from too much screen time.
The Sunshine Coast based Centre for Healthy Internet Use (CHIU) opened Oct. 2, with offices locally and on the Lower Mainland.
McLaughlin said the centre is dedicated to treating addiction and quality of life issues associated with excessive digital media use, which he describes as an unmet mental health care need.
According to McLaughlin, there are few options for people seeking treatment of Internet addictions in British Columbia and CHIU is the only counselling agency working exclusively in that field.
“There is widespread public recognition that excessive screen time may impair mental and physical health, our relationships and quality of life,” McLaughlin said in a release announcing the centre’s launch. “The psychology profession has identified digital addictions related to gaming, gambling, streaming pornography, info surfing, social media and, most recently, addiction to your device. Up until now, it has been difficult to find information and assistance with these problems.”
As well as offering mental health treatment to paying clients, the centre also plans to offer public education and workshops.
McLaughlin said quality of life is high on the centre’s priority list. “There is a good reason we call them ‘screens.’ They block our view of the people and world around us. The results can be diminished social interaction, reduced time doing activities that improve health and a disconnect from the world that surrounds us.”
