About Addiction
Addiction allows a temporary release from problems and can be defined as an inability to stop repetitive behaviour in spite of the harmful consequences. For many a craving or impulse offers a short-term escape from the realities of life, often masking depression and anxiety.
The long term effects of addiction are feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, despair, failure, rejection, anxiety and humiliation. These negative feelings can lead a person in to a destructive cycle, impacting greatly on family and loved ones. For many, the need to escape from reality and engage in some form of addictive behaviour gives a false sense of freedom. In the long term, this desire for a “quick high” can trap the person into a destructive pattern which will eventually become chaotic.
Recovery from addiction is learning to live life without the emotional “crutch” of the addictive substance or behaviour. Counselling will offer a safe and supportive environment whereby the person can understand and deal with the underlying issues attached to their addiction. It can encourage the individual to acknowledge their real emotions, exploring current coping skills and developing healthier ways of dealing with reality.
This can be an excellent foundation for building a new and more positive recovery, focusing on improving self-esteem, confidence, self-respect and acceptance.Addiction Counselling can help with, alcohol dependence, drug abuse, gambling, sex, exercise, smoking, shopping and addiction to the internet.
Questions that clients often ask…
Counselling involves working with presenting issues that may be causing difficulties in a client’s life. It involves talking on a one to one basis about whatever concerns you may have.The role of the counsellor is not to give advice to clients but to explore what options are available to create change in their lives. A trained counsellor will work with a specific set of skills, to encourage clients to express their feelings, thoughts, emotions and behaviours in a confidential and safe environment. Ultimately, the aim of counselling in to promote positive change and enhance well-being.
Psychotherapy takes place over a longer time frame, focusing on the underlying issues that are contributing to the presenting problem. It works at a deeper level, exploring feelings and emotions .This will help the client to recognise how past experiences may impact on their present behaviours.
Although this can be a painful process the emphasis is on self awareness and healing. In the long term clients can be empowered to make changes that will improve the quality of their lives.
The first session is an initial assessment to explore all aspects of what is contributing to your distress. After the first meeting there is absolutely no obligation to continue however if you do decide to do so the number of sessions needed varies from client to client.
We will discuss this during the first session and decide together what will work best for you. Sessions typically last for 1 hour.
I offer a confidential, safe and supportive counselling service incorporating person centred, solution focused and mindfulness based approaches. I also work from a holistic approach taking into consideration the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of the client.
I work with a range of other issues including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, body image, suicide, abuse, stress and work related issues.
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