Can a psychologist help with addiction?

Yes. Psychologists are trained to treat a wide range of addictions including alcohol dependence, drug use disorders, and behavioural addictions such as gambling and gaming. Psychological treatment for addiction typically involves Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and relapse prevention strategies.

What addictions do The Talk Shop’s psychologists treat?

The Talk Shop’s psychologists treat alcohol and drug addiction, prescription medication dependence, gambling disorder, gaming addiction, and other behavioural addictions. Treatment focuses on understanding the function of addictive behaviour, developing healthier coping strategies, and building a life that supports sustainable recovery.

Does Medicare cover addiction psychology sessions in Melbourne?

Yes. With a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you can access Medicare-rebated psychology sessions for addiction-related concerns, particularly where they co-occur with depression, anxiety, or trauma. Your GP or a GP specialising in addiction medicine can provide the appropriate referral.

Do I need to have stopped using before starting therapy?

No. You do not need to be abstinent before starting psychology sessions for addiction. Many people begin therapy while still using substances, and a skilled psychologist will meet you where you are, using a non-judgmental approach. Motivational Interviewing helps clients build readiness for change at their own pace.

Addiction Psychologist Melbourne

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.

What Is Addiction?

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:

Alcohol use disorder — the most common substance addiction in Australia
Cannabis, stimulant (methamphetamine, cocaine), and other drug dependence
Prescription medication dependence — opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants
Gambling disorder — including online sports betting and electronic gaming machines
Gaming disorder — excessive video game use causing impairment
Compulsive pornography use or sexual behaviour
Nicotine dependence

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Addiction may be present when you notice:

Difficulty cutting down or stopping despite wanting to
Spending increasing amounts of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance or behaviour
Giving up important activities — work, relationships, hobbies
Continued use despite knowing it is causing harm
Strong cravings that are difficult to resist
Withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced
Needing more of the substance or behaviour to achieve the same effect (tolerance)
Hiding use or lying about the extent of it

You do not need to hit rock bottom to seek support. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcomes (Kelly et al., 2020).

Why Addiction Is Difficult to Overcome Without Support

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:

Identifying and addressing the emotional triggers and high-risk situations for use
Building effective coping strategies to replace substance use
Exploring and resolving the underlying trauma, mental health issues, or life stressors driving use
Strengthening motivation and commitment to change
Building relapse prevention skills for long-term recovery

Psychological treatment combined with peer support produces the best long-term outcomes for most addiction presentations (Kelly et al., 2020).

Evidence-Based Treatments for Addiction

Our psychologists use approaches with the strongest evidence base for addiction recovery:

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Addiction

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.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

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.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

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).

Trauma-Informed Therapy

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.

What Addiction Treatment Looks Like at The Talk Shop

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.

Funding Options — What Will You Pay?

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.

WorkCover approved — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
NDIS plan-managed or self-managed — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
TAC claim approved — $0 out of pocket, we bill directly
DVA — Gold Card holders are fully covered with no session cap (clinically justified). White Card holders covered for accepted conditions, plus all current/former ADF members can access fully-funded psychology for any mental-health condition under NLMHT. GP referral required.
Medicare rebate (Mental Health Care Plan) — rebates same-day or next day
Private Health Insurance — itemised invoice provided
No funding / self-pay — affordable rates from $50 per session, no referral needed

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Ready to Take the First Step? Talk to an Addiction Psychologist in Melbourne.

Recovery is not about willpower — it’s about having the right support. Our team is here without judgement.

Book Now Contact Us

Other Conditions We Help With

Our psychologists are trained in a wide range of evidence-based approaches across many presentations. Browse our full directory of conditions and therapies we work with.

References

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