Addiction is not a moral failure or a lack of willpower — it is a complex, chronic condition involving changes to the brain’s reward, motivation, and self-regulation systems. Effective, evidence-based treatment produces real and lasting recovery.
Our registered psychologists in Melbourne provide psychological treatment for alcohol, drug, gambling, and other behavioural addictions across four clinic locations and via Telehealth.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Addiction is characterised by compulsive engagement with a substance or behaviour despite significant negative consequences. It involves loss of control, preoccupation, continued use despite harm, and often tolerance and withdrawal (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
We work with a wide range of addiction presentations:
Addiction may be present when you notice:
You do not need to hit rock bottom to seek support. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcomes (Kelly et al., 2020).
Chronic substance use and addictive behaviour produce lasting neurobiological changes — particularly in the brain’s dopamine and prefrontal cortex systems — that undermine the capacity for impulse control and long-term decision making (Volkow et al., 2016).
Psychological treatment works by:
Psychological treatment combined with peer support produces the best long-term outcomes for most addiction presentations (Kelly et al., 2020).
Our psychologists use approaches with the strongest evidence base for addiction recovery:
The most extensively researched psychological treatment for addiction (Carroll & Onken, 2005). CBT identifies triggers and high-risk situations, develops coping skills, and challenges the thoughts and beliefs that sustain addictive behaviour. Effective for alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and gambling disorders.
A collaborative, person-centred approach that strengthens a person’s own motivation and commitment to change, resolves ambivalence, and builds a personalised change plan (Miller & Rollnick, 2012). Often used at the beginning of treatment or during periods of ambivalence about recovery.
Addresses the experiential avoidance — the attempt to escape difficult emotions through substance use — that underlies many addiction presentations. ACT builds psychological flexibility and values-based living as an alternative to addictive behaviour (Hayes et al., 2012).
A significant proportion of people with addiction have co-occurring trauma histories. Treating underlying PTSD, childhood trauma, or adverse life experiences alongside addiction produces significantly better outcomes than treating addiction alone.
We work collaboratively with GPs and specialist addiction services where medically managed withdrawal or medication-assisted treatment is indicated.
Your first appointment is a confidential, non-judgemental assessment. We explore your use history, current patterns, what’s driving use, and what you hope to achieve.
We support clients across the full spectrum — from wanting to cut down, to achieving abstinence, to maintaining long-term recovery.
For medically complex presentations (high-level alcohol or opioid dependence), we work in coordination with your GP regarding medical management.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Do I have to want to stop completely to get help?
No. We work with clients at all stages of change — including those who are not yet certain they want to stop but are concerned about their use. Motivational Interviewing is specifically designed for this stage.
Is what I tell my psychologist confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential. The only exceptions are standard duty of care obligations (serious risk of harm to yourself or others). We do not report to police, employers, or family members without your consent.
Do you offer medically supervised withdrawal?
Psychologists do not prescribe medication. For medically complex withdrawal — particularly alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence — we work alongside your GP or refer to specialist services. Please discuss this with your GP before significantly reducing use.
Can I access treatment via Medicare?
Yes. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you can access Medicare-rebated psychology sessions. Addiction psychology is covered under the standard Medicare mental health item numbers.
What about gambling addiction — is it treated differently?
Gambling disorder is treated using CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and relapse prevention — similar to substance addictions. We are also familiar with Gambling Help Online and relevant local support services.
Recovery is not about willpower — it’s about having the right support. Our team is here without judgement.
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American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). APA. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Carroll, K. M., & Onken, L. S. (2005). Behavioral therapies for drug abuse. American Journal of Psychiatry, 162(8), 1452–1460. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.162.8.1452
Hayes, S. C., Levin, M. E., Plumb-Vilardaga, J., Villatte, J. L., & Pistorello, J. (2012). Acceptance and commitment therapy and contextual behavioral science: Examining the progress of a distinctive model of behavioral and cognitive therapy. Behavior Therapy, 44(2), 180–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2009.08.002
Kelly, J. F., Humphreys, K., & Ferri, M. (2020). Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD012880. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2
Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363–371. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1511480
