Compassionate, Evidence-Based Support for Addiction and Recovery

Struggling with an addiction can feel isolating, overwhelming and difficult to talk about. Whether you’re concerned about alcohol, drugs, gambling, gaming, pornography or another compulsive behaviour, seeking support is an important first step toward recovery.

At My International Therapy, we offer compassionate, confidential psychological support for people experiencing addiction or problematic behaviours. Our therapists provide a non-judgmental space to understand what lies beneath addictive patterns, strengthen coping skills and build lasting change.

Recovery is rarely about willpower alone. Addiction often develops as a way of coping with emotional pain, trauma, stress or difficult life circumstances. Therapy aims to address both the behaviour itself and the underlying factors that maintain it.

What Is Addiction Support?

Addiction support is psychological care designed to help people understand, manage and recover from substance-related or behavioural addictions.

Rather than focusing only on stopping a behaviour, therapy explores the emotional, psychological and social factors that contribute to addiction while helping clients develop healthier ways of coping.

Support is always personalised. Some people seek help early, when they notice increasing loss of control, while others reach out after years of struggling.

What Can We Help With?

Our therapists support adults experiencing difficulties related to:

• Alcohol addiction
• Drug addiction
• Gambling addiction
• Gaming addiction
• Pornography or sex addiction
• Cannabis misuse
• Prescription medication dependence
• Compulsive behaviours
• Cravings
• Relapse prevention
• Recovery after treatment
• Co-occurring anxiety or depression
• Addiction linked to trauma or chronic stress

Understanding Addiction

Addiction is a complex condition influenced by biological, psychological and social factors.

People may initially turn to substances or behaviours to cope with:

• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Stress
• Loneliness
• Depression
• Grief
• Emotional pain
• Low self-esteem
• Difficult relationships

Over time, what once felt helpful can become increasingly difficult to control, affecting work, relationships, physical health and emotional wellbeing.

Therapy focuses on understanding these patterns without blame or judgement.

Our Therapeutic Approach

There is no single therapy for addiction.

Depending on your needs, your therapist may integrate evidence-based approaches such as:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• EMDR (when trauma is involved)
• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
• Mindfulness-based approaches
• Relapse prevention strategies

Treatment is collaborative and adapted to your goals, pace and stage of recovery.

What Happens During the First Session?

Your first appointment is an opportunity to understand your current situation and what you hope to change.

Together, you may explore:

• Your relationship with the addictive behaviour
• Current challenges
• Emotional wellbeing
• Previous attempts to stop
• Triggers and cravings
• Relationships
• Mental health history
• Recovery goals

From there, your therapist will work with you to develop an individual treatment plan.

Therapy for Family Members

Addiction affects more than the individual.

Partners, parents and other loved ones often experience stress, uncertainty, guilt or exhaustion.

Therapy can also support family members by helping them understand addiction, establish healthy boundaries and care for their own wellbeing.

Is Addiction Support Right for You?

You may benefit from therapy if you:

• Feel your behaviour is becoming difficult to control
• Have tried to stop but keep returning to it
• Experience guilt or shame about your behaviour
• Notice addiction affecting your relationships or work
• Want to prevent relapse
• Simply want to understand your relationship with alcohol, substances or compulsive behaviours

Seeking support early can prevent difficulties from becoming more severe.

Online & In-Person Therapy

Depending on the therapist, addiction support is available both online and in person.

Many clients appreciate the flexibility and privacy of online therapy, particularly when balancing work, family commitments or living abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to identify as an addict to start therapy?

No. Many people seek help because they are concerned about their relationship with a substance or behaviour before meeting the criteria for an addiction.

Will therapy tell me to stop immediately?

Treatment is collaborative. Your therapist will work with you to understand your goals and develop realistic, evidence-based strategies for change.

Can therapy help prevent relapse?

Yes. Therapy often focuses on recognising triggers, strengthening coping skills and building long-term recovery strategies.

Is addiction linked to other mental health difficulties?

Frequently. Anxiety, depression, trauma and stress often occur alongside addiction and can be addressed together within therapy.

Find an Addiction Therapist

Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to face it alone.

Our experienced psychologists provide compassionate, evidence-based support to help you understand addictive patterns, regain control and build a healthier relationship with yourself and the people around you.