Counselling for Addiction and Unhelpful Habits
Support for behaviours that feel difficult to control, including alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, gaming, social media, shopping, and eating habits.
Understanding Addiction and Unhelpful Habits
Addiction and unhelpful habits can take many forms. They may involve alcohol or
drugs, or show up in behaviours such as gambling, pornography, gaming, social
media, shopping, or difficulties with eating habits. These patterns often begin as a
way of coping with stress or difficult emotions, but over time they may become
harder to manage and can start to affect daily life, relationships, and well-being.
Some people describe feeling stuck in a cycle or relying on behaviours they no
longer feel in control of while others seek counselling because they do not want
things to reach that stage. Therapy with Gemini Counselling can support you
wherever you are on that journey — whether you are looking for recovery or simply
want to regain balance now.
At Gemini Counselling, I offer a safe, confidential space to make sense of your
experiences and begin building healthier ways of coping with life’s challenges.
With many years of experience supporting clients in this area, I offer a compassionate, professional approach tailored to your individual needs.
Reaching out for support is not a weakness - it is a positive step towards
understanding yourself more fully and creating a life that feels more manageable.
Challenges I Can Help You With
I work with clients who are experiencing challenges such as:
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Alcohol or drug use
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Gambling
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Pornography use / sexual behaviours
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Gaming
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Social media or internet overuse
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Shopping or spending problems
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Food-related habits (such as bingeing or comfort eating)
How I Can support you:
Through therapy, I can support you to:
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Identify triggers and patterns – using CBT techniques to map the link between situations, thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, so you can recognise early warning signs of urges.
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Challenge unhelpful thinking styles – learning practical CBT tools to shift negative or rigid thought patterns that often fuel addictive behaviours.
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Develop healthier coping strategies – building alternatives to manage stress, cravings, and emotions without relying on habits that cause harm.
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Practice acceptance and mindfulness – drawing on ACT to help you sit with difficult urges or feelings without being controlled by them.
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Reconnect with your values – using ACT exercises to clarify what truly matters to you and guide decisions that move you toward a more meaningful life.
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Create lasting routines – combining CBT structure with ACT flexibility to
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develop daily habits that support recovery and long-term well-being.
Support for Family, Partners and Friends:
Addiction and unhelpful habits do not just affect the person directly involved — they can also have a significant impact on family members, partners, and friends. It can feel painful, frustrating, or confusing to watch someone you care about struggle, and it is common to feel unsure how best to help.
I offer support for loved ones who may be:
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Trying to understand addiction and unhelpful habits
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Feeling worried, helpless, or overwhelmed behaviours
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Unsure how to support their partner, child, or friend without enabling harmful
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Struggling with the emotional impact on themselves
Through counselling, I provide a safe and understanding space where you can:
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Talk openly about your own experiences and feelings
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Learn about the cycle of addiction and how change happens
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Explore healthier boundaries and ways of supporting your loved one
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Focus on your own well-being, so you feel stronger and more balanced
Supporting a loved one does not mean carrying the whole burden alone. Counselling can help you find clarity, strength, and a healthier way forward — for both you and
the person you care about.
My Approach
I provide a warm, confidential, and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly. Every client’s story is unique, so therapy is tailored to your needs and goals.
Drawing on many years of experience supporting clients and loves ones affected by addiction and unhelpful habits, I use evidence-based approaches to support lasting change at a pace that feels right for you.
A Message of Hope
Change is possible, even if addiction or unhelpful habits have been part of your life for many years. With the right support, it is possible to break free from these cycles, restore balance, and move towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Next Steps
If you recognise yourself in any of these patterns and feel ready to take a step forward, support is available. Please feel free to get in touch to arrange an introductory call— together we can explore how therapy with Gemini Counselling can help you move towards the life you want.
