Скачать или смотреть Breaking the Silence: Orli Paling on Stories, Evidence-Based Counseling, and Real Hope

Welcome to Breaking the Silence – a podcast where we talk about recovery, mental health, addiction, and offer practical wisdom, advocacy, and real hope.

In this episode, host Allen Kharlip sits down with Orli Paling—therapist, founder of OP Counseling, clinical supervisor, educator, and family of Dr. Gabor Mate. Orli shares her deep passion for hearing people’s whole stories, what drew her to addiction and mental health counseling, and how understanding the roots of behavior can guide recovery. Drawing on family wisdom and front-line work in youth addiction, she explores how compassion, holistic therapy, and evidence-based tools drive transformative growth.

In This Episode:
Orli explains the importance of understanding addiction’s origin story, how environment and genetics interact, and why no one’s experience or pain is random. She describes growing up in Vancouver, witnessing the struggles of the Downtown Eastside, learning from her uncle Gabor Mate, and her own journey as a student, practitioner, and mentor. Orli underscores the power of stories—both painful and hopeful—and urges listeners to focus on evidence-based healing, whole-person care, and always looking for hope.

Key Topics Discussed:
✅ Why people’s behavior always comes from somewhere
✅ The "whole story" approach: listening to all of someone’s experience
✅ The influence of environment, genetics, family, and trauma
✅ Advice from Dr. Gabor Mate and “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts”
✅ Breaking the nature vs. nurture myth—why it’s both
✅ How early privilege and family support can protect against addiction
✅ The power—and limits—of medication in recovery
✅ Why therapy is so much more than information or AI
✅ The rise of evidence-based practices: DBT, EMDR, CBT
✅ Coping with burnout as a clinician, and rekindling purpose
✅ A message for anyone struggling: look for stories of hope and celebrate them

About Orli Paling & OP Counseling:
Founder of OP Counseling, passionate educator, and clinical supervisor, Orli specializes in addiction and mental health counseling, trauma, youth and family support. She champions DBT, EMDR, and integrated whole-person approaches, and mentors new clinicians to help clients safely explore their past and write a new story for the future.

Key Quotes:
💬 “Addiction doesn’t just develop out of nowhere—every experience has an origin story.”
💬 “There are always more stories of success—choose where you put your attention.”
💬 “Hope is so much more encouraging than fear.”

Connect with Orli Paling:
🟢 OP Counseling: trauma therapy, addiction counseling, mentorship
🟢 Evidence-based group and individual therapy
🟢 Youth, family, and adult support

Get Help & Support:
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges:
📞 Call: 1-833-313-7848 (24/7 Support Available)
🌐 Website: https://addictionrehabtoronto.ca/
📧 Email: [email protected]

About Breaking the Silence:
Produced by Addiction Rehab Toronto. Our mission is to create stigma-free conversations around recovery, mental health, and personal transformation.

Subscribe & Connect:
🔔 Subscribe to never miss an episode
👍 Like if Orli’s message inspired you
💬 Comment with your own story
🔗 Share for hope and support

Additional Resources:
🔗 Resource Hub: https://linktr.ee/addictionrehabtoronto

Timestamps:
⏱️ 0:00 - Intro & Orli’s background
⏱️ 3:30 - Stories, addiction, and family influence
⏱️ 7:10 - The “whole story” in counseling
⏱️ 11:25 - Genetics, environment, and trauma
⏱️ 15:00 - Medication and therapy in real life
⏱️ 18:30 - Tools for clients and clinicians
⏱️ 21:20 - Burnout, inspiration, and hope
⏱️ 24:50 - Final message for listeners

This episode was recorded as part of Addiction Rehab Toronto’s Breaking the Silence podcast series.