Healing hidden wounds of addiction with person-centred therapy

Addiction often shows up in our lives not simply as a dependence on substances or behaviours, but as a response to emotional pain. For many, it is a way to escape, numb, or cope with feelings that feel too overwhelming to confront.

Behind every addiction is a story, often shaped by trauma, grief, early childhood experiences, or unprocessed emotions. What looks like self-destruction is frequently a form of survival.

As a person-centred counsellor, this work is grounded in the belief that everyone has the capacity for growth and healing, given the right environment. The counsellor's role is not to judge or fix, but to walk alongside you, offering a safe and accepting space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace.

I support individuals who are navigating a wide range of challenges, including drug and alcohol dependency, anxiety, grief, and complex trauma, and many clients arrive feeling stuck, ashamed, or disconnected from themselves and others. Through counselling, together, you can begin to explore what may be driving those feelings and behaviours, not just managing symptoms, but understanding the root causes.

For many, addiction can become a way of surviving. It may be the only tool someone has had to regulate their emotions, manage pain, or feel a sense of control. Recognising this can help reduce the shame and self-blame that so often accompany addiction. Person-centred counselling invites compassion and curiosity, not criticism.

When we understand ourselves more deeply, we’re better able to make choices that reflect who we truly are, rather than what we've had to become in order to cope.

Therapy is not always easy. Looking inward can be painful and confronting. But it can also be transformative. Throughout sessions, you will work together with your therapist to rebuild self-worth, develop healthier coping strategies, and cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and resilience.

Recovery, in this context, is not just about abstaining from a substance or behaviour. It’s about reclaiming your identity, re-establishing trust in yourself, and learning to relate to others in a healthier way. It’s about becoming free, not only from addiction, but from the emotional burdens that may have led to it.

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness; it’s a powerful act of self-care and courage. Whether you're at the beginning of your journey or have taken steps already, therapy can offer a consistent and compassionate space for you to heal.

Many clients have shared how life-changing it feels to finally speak openly, without fear of judgment or shame. The therapeutic relationship itself can be deeply healing, offering the trust and consistency that may have been missing elsewhere. From this foundation, genuine change becomes not only possible, but sustainable, over time.