At Mind & Body Therapy, I provide compassionate and effective support for individuals struggling with addiction and compulsive behaviour. My approach is tailored to meet your specific needs, with the option to include counselling, therapeutic massage, and holistic therapies. With extensive experience in statutory and non- statutory community and residential addiction services, I offer a safe and confidential space to explore the root causes of addiction, manage cravings and urges, and work towards long-term recovery.

Addiction Recovery

Recovering from addiction requires support, guidance, and a solid plan. I work closely with clients to understand their personal journey and the challenges they face in making and maintaining change. My sessions are designed to help you develop coping strategies, build resilience, and regain control.

I incorporate evidence-based counselling techniques and holistic therapies to support physical and emotional healing. Whether you’re just beginning your recovery journey or looking for ongoing support, I can provide the tools and guidance needed to overcome addiction and maintain long-term sobriety.

Approach

During the initial consultation, I discuss your preferences and experiences so we can agree the best approach for you. I offer either a 12 step or CBT led  approach. Both include an exploration of triggers, building coping strategies and relapse prevention.

The 12-step recovery program has helped countless individuals achieve and maintain recovery from drugs and alcohol. At Mind & Body Therapy, I integrate the principles of this well-known program into my addiction support services. The 12-step model encourages individuals to reflect on their past behaviours, make amends where necessary, and build a support network to foster accountability and ongoing recovery.

In our sessions, we focus on each step of the recovery process, ensuring that you have the right mindset and support to move forward. Whether you’re new to the 12-step program or have participated in it before, I’ll help you navigate the process, develop new skills for maintaining change, and gain confidence in your ability to lead a healthy, addiction-free life.

CBT for Addiction

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based approach for treating addiction. It focuses on identifying and addressing the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that contribute to addictive patterns. At Mind & Body Therapy, I use CBT to help clients explore how thinking errors, limiting beliefs, and sabotaging behaviours impact their recovery journey.

CBT sessions include:

• Identifying Triggers: Understanding the situations, emotions, or thoughts that lead to cravings or addictive behaviours.
• Challenging Negative Beliefs: Addressing self-defeating thoughts and replacing them with healthier, more constructive perspectives.
• Developing Coping Strategies: Equipping clients with tools to manage cravings and stress in healthier ways.
• Exploring Thinking Errors: Examining cognitive distortions, such as catastrophising or black-and-white thinking, and their role in perpetuating addiction.

By focusing on how thoughts influence behaviours, CBT empowers clients to regain control over their actions. Combined with other approaches, such as the 12-step program and therapeutic massage, CBT provides a comprehensive pathway to recovery and lasting sobriety.

Addressing the Body-Mind Connection in Addiction

Addiction affects both the mind and body, which is why my approach includes therapeutic massage to complement the counselling process. Trauma, stress, and emotional pain often contribute to addiction, and these feelings can be stored in the body, leading to physical discomfort and tension.

Therapeutic massage helps release these stored emotions, bringing the body into a state of relaxation and regulation. Combined with addiction counselling, this holistic approach supports your emotional and physical recovery, helping you to manage cravings and cope with the stressors that contribute to addiction.

Trauma and Addiction

Many individuals struggling with substance or behavioural addiction have a history of trauma. Trauma can play a significant role in the development of addiction, and without addressing these underlying issues, recovery can be more difficult. At Mind & Body Therapy, I focus on helping clients heal from both trauma and addiction through a combination of therapeutic massage and body-focused therapies like therapeutic massage.

Healing from trauma is essential for maintaining long-term sobriety, as unresolved emotional pain can often lead to relapse. My approach helps you process past experiences, release emotional pain stored in the body, and rebuild a healthy relationship with yourself and others.

Ongoing Support for Long-Term Recovery

Recovery is a lifelong journey, and ongoing support is critical for maintaining sobriety. In addition to one-on-one counselling sessions, I offer a range of holistic therapies designed to keep you grounded and focused on your recovery goals. Regular sessions help you navigate life’s challenges, manage stress, and stay on the path to long-term wellness.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your recovery journey, contact me to schedule a consultation and begin your personalised addiction support plan.

For more information on addiction and recovery, you can visit this helpful NHS resource on drug addiction.