Addiction Counselling in Woodley and Reading

I have worked within addiction services for over 15 years and hold an MSc in Addiction Psychology and Counselling. Alongside my work in private practice, I have also worked within a residential rehabilitation centre and continue to support people experiencing addiction-related difficulties in my counselling practice in Woodley. I also currently do contract work in a sex and pornography addiction service.

If you live in Woodley or the surrounding Reading area and are struggling with addiction or compulsive behaviours, you are very welcome to get in touch. I work with people experiencing difficulties with alcohol and drug use, as well as gambling, internet use, pornography, and other patterns of behaviour that feel hard to control.

Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling and Porn Addiction Counselling

The word addiction can often feel like a label — one that increases shame or judgement for people who may already be struggling with how they see themselves. At its simplest, addiction describes a situation where someone finds it difficult to reduce or stop a behaviour that is causing them harm, despite wanting to do so.

These behaviours may involve alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, internet use, pornography, spending, or other repetitive patterns over which a person feels they have lost control. Counselling offers a space to understand how these patterns developed, the thoughts and feelings that maintain them, and the impact they have on self-esteem, relationships, and wellbeing.

By making sense of these experiences within a compassionate and reflective relationship, it often becomes possible to loosen the grip of shame and begin to relate to yourself in a kinder, more realistic way — which is a vital part of change.

Compassionate and Honest Addiction Counselling

Shame and self-judgement are often central to addictive or compulsive behaviours. Many people feel caught between wanting to change and feeling unable to do so, which can lead to secrecy, isolation, and despair. I believe that meaningful change happens most effectively within a counselling relationship that is compassionate, honest, and grounded in understanding rather than blame.