Transform Your Life: Addiction Counselling in Melbourne

General Addiction

Transform Your Life: Addiction Counselling in Melbourne

Our qualified psychotherapists and hypnotherapists aim to help heal the root causes of anxiety, stress and emotional patterns.

Online or face-to-face.

Recommended Therapists

Adam Szmerling

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

20+ years’ psychoanalytic expertise guiding individuals and couples through anxiety, addictions, and relationship struggles to lasting calm.

20+ years of experience
$200 per 50-min session
Rebate with a valid MHCP
Available in-person & online

Carolina Rosa

Counsellor & Hypnotherapist

Featured on House of Wellness, helping people overcome anxiety and self-doubt with lived experience and tools for lasting change.

15+ years of experience
$170 per 50-min session (Individuals)
Available in-person & online

Bernadette Cameron

Hypnotherapist, Counsellor, NLP Master Practitioner

Registered counsellor with a Certificate IV in Clinical Hypnotherapy, supporting adults with anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship challenges.

5+ years of experience
$170-$200 per 50-min session
Available in-person & online

Sara Herring

Clinical Hypnotherapist and Counsellor, Melbourne

A clinical hypnotherapist trained at the Academy of Hypnotic Science, helps people overcome anxiety, addictions and habits, without judgement.

20+ years of experience
$170 per 50-min session
Available online

Natalie Szmerling

Clinical Psychologist

Registered Psychologist working with adults and adolescents, offering ACT, CBT and MI in a compassionate and collaborative approach.

15+ years of experience
$250 per 50-min session
Rebate with a valid MHCP
Available in-person & online

Humaira Ansari

Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, Psychotherapist and Counsellor

Experienced Master Hypnotherapist, experienced in hypnotherapeutic, neuro-linguistic, psychotherapeutic techniques.

16 years of experience
$170-$200 per 50-min session
Available online

Lawrence Akers

Hypnotherapist & Counsellor

Clinical Hypnotherapist using ACT, CBT, and mindfulness to support lasting change, with deep experience in LGBTQIA+ wellbeing.

10 years of experience
$170 per 50-min session
Available in-person & online

Kelli Tranter

Hypnotherapist & Counsellor

Supporting individuals of all ages through life changes with compassionate, client-centered care, fostering personal growth that uplifts both them and their loved ones.

10+ years of experience
$170 per 50-min session
Available online

What is Addiction?

Substance use can lead to an array of psychological and physical health concerns. In 2019 it was found 40% of Australians aged over 14 had used illicit substances during their life. While cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance, a large survey revealed ongoing concerns about the impact of crystal methamphetamine in the Australian community.

Substance dependence disorders often involve harm not only to the individual but to their family and their ability to engage in life in a meaningful way. They often lead to changes in psychological and social functioning, thinking processes and behaviours and when they develop into an addiction there may be changes to the underlying brain structure as a result.

Can Having an Addiction Be Dangerous?

Many people don’t realise that an addiction can be just as dangerous as a physical disease. Some studies show that the effects of chronic substance abuse can alter brain chemistry beyond repair, permanently damaging certain areas in the brain. It might sound strange to think that a substance-based addiction such as alcoholism can be compared to an infectious disease, but it’s been proven that people with addictive tendencies have shown the same symptoms of conditions like brain damage. It may not be the drug itself causing the actual damage, but more so the process of withdrawing from said substances. If you have an addiction, then get in touch with us today. Your call is completely confidential.

How Do I Know I’m Addicted to Something?

The usual signs of addiction that are most common are lack of control or inability to stay away from a substance or behaviour, less involvement in activities and pastimes, like abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships. Others include ignoring risk factors even though you know there are detrimental consequences. You may also find that you suffer from withdrawal symptoms if you attempt to stop. These may present themselves as physical withdrawal symptoms or mental ones such as depression and anxiety.

If you have more than two of these symptoms, there’s a good chance that you’re addicted. Don’t worry, there’s the potential to get help!

Can I Get Help With My Addiction?

Our team of experienced counsellors take an approach that focuses on you as an individual, and one which aims to help you to discover the factors underlying your addiction. We offer you a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment for you to process and explore your inner world.

Need addiction therapy?

Addiction Counselling & Treatment With Bayside Psychotherapy

During your first session, you’ll be able to discuss your concerns, ask questions and decide if your therapist is right for you. The initial consultation may also provide your therapist with valuable insights into the issues involved in your addiction and what you’d like to achieve. In some cases, substance use difficulties may be managed by changing habitual thoughts and responses (for example, in the way of meditation); thereby potentially resolving the underlying causes of the behaviour naturally.

Each therapist at Bayside Psychotherapy can draw upon several counselling or hypnotherapy treatment approaches. Depending on your circumstances, your therapist might include one or a combination of humanistic person-centred therapies such as Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation exercises, existential therapy, psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, dream work, NLP, hypnotherapy treatment and other similar techniques.

Find out if we can potentially help you to control your addiction and regain your life. Call us on (03) 9557 9113if you have any questions. You have taken the first brave step. Book an appointment to take the next.

Drug Addiction In Australia

Types of Addictions

Cannabis Addiction

Cannabis addiction is the dependence on marijuana’s psychoactive compounds. Treatment for this addiction involves counselling and behavioural therapy, our counselling service will help you to develop healthier habits.

Early intervention and seeking professional help are vital for effective recovery. Contact Bayside Psychotherapy for counselling help if you are struggling with Cannabis Addiction.

Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction has severe negative consequences and can cause many issues in a person’s life. Treatment typically includes cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, and support groups to address addiction and promote lasting recovery.

Early intervention and professional assistance are essential to successfully kick this drug addiction. Book an appointment today with our addiction counsellors and therapists.

Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction is a compulsive urge to gamble despite adverse consequences. People become addicted to gambling for the dopamine rush it provides, Addictions like gambling offer a short-term escape but have negative impacts in the long run.

Counsellors can help to address the underlying issues and promote responsible gambling habits. Seeking early treatment and professional help is crucial for effectively overcoming gambling addiction. Discuss your needs with Bayside Psychotherapy.

Porn Addiction

Pornography addiction is a compulsive and problematic behaviour that can be hard to deal with. Porn addicts may struggle to control their urges and impulses, leading to problems in personal relationships, work, and overall well-being. Like other addictions, seeking professional help and support is crucial for recovery and healthier habits. Contact us for porn addiction counselling services.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is a serious addiction, sufferers have a strong dependence on alcohol and often have urges to start binge drinking. It can be challenging to control the urge to drink and can lead to depression or anxiety. Alcohol is often used as a short-term escape from the realities of life but leads to more negative impacts later on. We offer a service to help deal with this common addiction and to achieve sobriety and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Cigarette Addiction

Cigarette addiction, also known as nicotine addiction, is the dependence on the addictive substance nicotine found in tobacco products. Nicotine addiction causes strong cravings and difficulty quitting despite knowing the health risks. Our goal is to help promote a smoke-free lifestyle and break this addictive behaviour. Book online to speak with a therapist and deal with addiction to cigarettes.

Chocolate Addiction

Chocolate addiction is a compulsive craving for chocolate or chocolate-based products. It is important to recognise bad habits in our lives, though consuming chocolate may feel good short term, overindulging will have serious negative impacts.

The trained therapists at Bayside Psychotherapy are helping people to overcome their craving or impulse to consume chocolate. Contact us today to break this negative addiction and build healthy habits with chocolate.

Seek Treatment – Bayside Psychotherapy

Feeling hurt, confused, or out of control? Has addiction taken over your life? Addictions, and the behaviours they cause and encourage, are diverse in nature and severity. They also do not occur in isolation. Addictions often have a negative impact on health, emotional well-being, concentration, and, most importantly, on the relationships with those we love.

Call us on (03) 9557 9113 or use our contact form to enquire. Or, if you are ready to have your first confidential appointment you can also book using our booking form for online appointments. Or, if you prefer, you can book for an in-clinic session.

Some people use Hypnosis Downloads as they may complement their therapy sessions.

Note: This information is informative only and is not to be used for diagnosis or substitution of appropriate assessment and/or treatment by a registered practitioner. Information on this page and our entire site should not be construed as implying that our therapists are specialists in treating any condition whatsoever. While some of our therapists may have experience working with people suffering from a specific condition, not all of our therapists do. We do not guarantee any particular level of performance, cure or management of symptoms. Each case is unique and responds differently with collaboration between client and therapist being crucial. Always seek an appropriate assessment from a qualified professional such as a GP, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or social worker especially if you are acutely distressed.

Time to start therapy?

Email Us

Call Us

03 9557 9113

Reception Phone Hours

Closed on public holidays

Book Online

Choose your own date and time for an online or in-clinic session

Therapist Hours

Closed on public holidays

Our Therapists

Conditions We Treat

Therapies We Offer

More

General Addiction