People use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs for many reasons. Some people use these substances to help them to relax, to feel more lively, to feel less inhibited or to feel pleasure. Others find the effects of substances make it easier for them to cope with problems.
Substance use can cause problems for an individual and their families, even when they are not highly dependent or addicted to the substance. If you are taking a substance, you might find it difficult to judge whether the substance use has become a problem. However, if the substance use has started to impact on any aspect of your daily life, including your performance at work, or relationships with a partner, colleagues, family members, or friends, then you should seek the advice of a psychologist.
Some of the more common substances that can be problematic include legal substances (alcohol, benzodiazepines: anti-anxiety drugs, painkillers with codeine in them like Nurofen Plus or Panadeine Extra/Forte and tobacco) and illegal substances including cannabis-marijuana, heroin and amphetamines including dexamphetamine without prescription, and ice. These are all drugs that can bring about high levels of dependence, and can be problematic even when used in low doses.
When we think about substance use problems, we often think of stereotypical ‘addicts’ or ‘druggies’ as the ones who have the ‘real’ concerns. However, if you are taking a substance regularly, you may feel strongly that you do not belong in this category. Most people who with substance use problems are just everyday people who might use substances to ease the stressors and difficult feelings of everyday life. However, often they use these substances in a way that makes their problems worse in the long-run. It is unlikely that you have spontaneously developed a pattern of substance use for no reason. Usually there are underlying issues that prompt it. Stress is highly effective at causing a craving for substances, and are a major cause of relapse to problematic substance use. Other conditions associated with substance use include depression, anxiety disorders, impulsivity and attention problems, and bipolar disorder.
You may feel that you are using a substance a little more than you would like to, or that you are running into problems at work or home because the substance affects you at the wrong time. If substance use is beginning to affect your wellbeing, seek help before the problem escalates and has a more severe impact on your functioning. If you are unsure, the staff at VCPS are happy to provide an assessment of your situation and feedback on what we can do together to manage the concern.
Our psychologists are specialised in assisting in this area in a number of ways, including:
Helping you to acknowledge the concern
Providing emotional support for you to release any concerns or negative thoughts
Educating you on the best practices for reducing the substance use
Identifying the underlying concerns that have led to the substance use
Focusing on the thoughts and feelings you have about using substances, and providing unique ways to address those thoughts and feelings
Providing you with new ways of relating to your thoughts and feelings that can contribute to making better decisions about substance use
Help to build up your own support system and self-care plan, in order to reduce any stress and maintain a positive daily life despite any negative circumstances
Working with you to find a treatment program that will work for you in both the short and long term
Meet the someone.health psychologists currently available to see new clients for counselling for drug and alcohol addiction.
Adauto has 14 years of experience in a private practice focusing on anxiety, depression and life changes (work, divorce, sexuality and maturing) with young adults. Adauto believes that each person can benefit from problem solving strategies, but also from finding causes and reasons. Adauto studied Psychology in Brazil and applies CBT, ACT and DBT modalities.
My combined professional and life experiences make me highly aware of the types of difficulties encountered by people from all walks of life and the impact on their and others’ lives these obstacles to wellbeing can have. My efforts and professional skill are dedicated toward helping to make a difference
and to assist people in developing their greater potential
My passion is helping people, in good times and tough times, and that is my aim when meeting you. I want to get to know you and help you through whatever challenges are facing you. I like to celebrate successes, even the little ones, and work through the next steps towards more success. I see every barrier or bump in the road as an opportunity to learn about ourselves and gain resilience. I look forward to taking the journey with you.
I really enjoy working with people in all sorts of circumstances. I am dedicated to working with everyone as an individual and respecting your situation, experiences, beliefs, and values. I encourage you to take an active role in sessions. I feel honored at the privilege of getting to know and working with clients in a genuine and meaningful way.
I am excited to listen and get to know you as we work together to make sense of, predict or change areas of life. My practice has always been to actively listen, to explore and to experiment using a range of psychology tools. I work using innovative approaches that highlight your strengths whilst also addressing issues or areas that are the source of struggle and pain in your life. Collaboratively we seek to set goals, implement skills, and increase wellbeing to not just grow but flourish. My relaxed, genuine, and unrelenting optimism serves as the perfect companion to adventuring through the mind as we seek to ask the right questions and find the right answers.
Annette believes that therapy is important for those looking to improve their overall mental wellbeing and to live a healthier, fuller life. Annette has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety and trauma symptoms, perfectionism, confidence and self-esteem issues, difficulties with change/adjustment and workplace stress.
Anshula has a background in paediatric psychology and the disability sector as well as demonstrated success in implementing behavioural interventions for children with neurodiversity and additional developmental needs. She also has experience supporting adults of varying mental health disorders including mood disorders, anxiety disorders and other significant psychological problems.
I am looking forward to getting to know you as a unique individual and working together to create the life you wish for. I am honoured and privileged to support you in your life journey by providing non-judgmental, compassionate safe space to open- up and address the mental health challenges you are experiencing at this time of your life. I love it when people take a proactive approach to their mental health.
Hi! I’m looking forward to supporting you on your journey in working towards your goals, wherever you want to go. I aim to provide a safe space to talk about difficult things and value working with a bit of humour. Sometimes it helps bring some spark of joy back to the day to day. It can add meaning when it can be so difficult to look inwards and talk about our emotions. I find a safe space, sense of mutual respect and the therapeutic relationship is key in my practice.
I aim to listen to a client’s journey and help people reach their potential to be the best they can be in all aspects of their lives. I pride myself on providing a reliable and genuine experience to all my clients. I place a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship and providing a space which allows clients to explore their difficulties in a safe, supportive, confidential and trusting environment. I will take an individual formulation approach to my practice considering the biological, social and psychological aspects of difficulties. Within this, I will work with clients to identify the most appropriate evidence based treatment approach within the available time. I am committed to helping individuals to achieve their full potential, identify individuals values and helping you achieve your goals.
Brent offers a confidential and sensitive service to his clients providing evidence-based psychological therapy, including assessment and treatment for a range of emotional, behavioural, and psychological difficulties.
I am committed to working with clients through a collaborative client-centered approach. I view acceptance and a non-judgmental interaction as critical components to the client-therapist relationship. I believe in focusing on strengths and self-observation skills as the keys to client change, growth, and development. I look forward to the opportunity of working with clients who are seeking to move forward in their lives. We need to be more like a river in life, not a pond.
Caroline is very approachable and believes that positive change is sustainable, working holistically and using practical strategies, developing new skills and psychological interventions to achieve the best outcomes for you. She has been the principal psychologist and proprietor of Pure Gold Christian Counselling and Psychological Services for eight years.
I love what I do. I take earning your trust very seriously. I think it’s a big deal to share your thoughts, fears, worries, hopes and dreams in counselling. I work hard to listen well and to understand your experience of the world and how you would like it to be different. I’m a real person and will be clear about how I think I can help and have both professional and life experience to draw from.
Dajana has 20 years experience as a Psychologist working with a diverse range of clients. She has extensive experience in substance abuse and addictions, depression, anxiety, stress management, adjustment disorder, PTSD and grief and loss.
David has had 15 years of experience as a Psychologist working with children, adolescents and adults. He has experience working with educational needs, with a particular focus on life long education, differential diagnosis, understanding giftedness and managing neural diversity. David has also worked extensively with people experiencing anxiety, depression, issues of self worth and attachment concerns.
Hello and welcome! I look forward to getting to know you and working with you to achieve your goals for therapy. I am passionate and dedicated to support my clients, ensuring to create a safe and comfortable environment where my clients feel at ease. I adopt a person-centered approach in my sessions, tailoring therapy to the unique needs of my clients.
As a Clinical Psychologist, I am passionate, motivated, and committed to providing my clients with best practice interventions to support and guide them towards recovery, and self-improvement. I have a warm, empathetic and collaborative approach to therapy, and my aim is to empower you to make healthy, positive, and meaningful changes to your life. I am also deeply committed to providing culturally sensitive and accessible treatment.
Hi, I am really looking forward to getting to know you and working together to achieve your therapy goals. I believe in a holistic approach to therapy, recognizing that the psychological and physical both impact overall mental well-being and as such my approach to therapy includes elements of each in order to achieve lasting change.
Geoff has over 10 years of experience working as a psychologist and has a keen interest working with people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, procrastination, interpersonal difficulties and low self esteem. Geoff is trained in evidence-based approaches including CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Hamid has a keen interest in working with people experiencing depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, phobia, low self esteem and interpersonal difficulties. Hamid is trained in several evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing techniques.
James’ approach to mental health is about mind-body integration and looking at the “whole person”. Mental health influences how we feel, think and move, how we communicate and relate to the world, and can seriously impact our physical health. James will hep make sense of how this all fits together, to explore unhelpful thoughts and behaviour, and identify different options.
Former comedian and current Clinical Psychologist Joe Guse uses humour to help people respond to life’s challenges. Joe strives to help people use humour to respond to lifes emotional choices. He has authored 20 books and appears regularly on American television shows including Biography, Autopsy, and Behind Closed Doors.
Julian’s professional style is a person-to-person clinical practice focusing on individual needs. He works in a natural and holistic style. Your personal preferences are key to the therapy that you receive. Julian delivers therapy that considers your being in the world so that you can gain positive personal relationships and satisfying personal interactions.
Kaming is open-minded and enjoys working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. Kaming is trained in several evidence-base approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness, Schema Therapy and EMDR. He is interested to work with people’s addiction issues, interpersonal relationships issues, specific trauma and complex trauma.
Kate has worked as a psychologist for over 35 years and is keen to help people 16-years-old and older who wish to improve their psychological life. Kate has a Doctorate in Health Science and her certifications include Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Ericksonian Hypnosis. She also studies Buddhism, including meditation and mindfulness.
I am a fully qualified hypnotherapist, treating all types of anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, drug addictions, self-esteem issues, chronic pain, and IBS.
I have 20 years of experience as a music teacher and taught children from age four to adults, aged 64 years.
I also treat children and adolescents for peer relationship issues, school refusal, bullying, and poor school performance.
Deciding to see a Psychologist is a big step, so congratulations for coming this far. Once you choose a therapist, stepping into a their virtual therapy room is the next big step, and for many people this can feel overwhelming. A big part of my job is to help you feel comfortable and safe. All you have to do is take that step, show up and be yourself.
Laura is someone who is personable and laid back, yet professional and experienced. Laura’s most recent experience is with survivors of sexual assault (adolescents and adults) and domestic violence, and those with trauma backgrounds. This is a particular area of interest and expertise for Laura. She has worked in psychology fields since 2013.
I look forward to working with you on those parts of your life that you are struggling with at present. We will work together collaboratively as I bring my knowledge and understanding of human behaviour and brain processes, to your knowledge of yourself and how you want to live your fullest life. This may involve challenges and change that you might already be apprehensive about but together we can help you develop a new calmness, and to help you to connect with your inner courage and commitment to change. I want for you what you already want for yourself, and that is to lead a life of meaning and purpose with connections to those close to you and to your community.
Louis has experience working with adults and young people aged 16+. Louis has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, trauma and PTSD, bipolar disorder, dealing with anger, stress management, drug and alcohol issues, and managing health and lifestyle.
I enjoy helping both adolescent and adult clients discover there is an alternative to the life of distress and discomfort quite often being experienced in the lead up to engaging with mental health support. I work with people who are experiencing low mood and/or low motivation, difficulties adjusting, stress, anger, confusion or worry, to empower them to discover their strengths whilst developing insight into their presentation.
Manya is experienced in helping people change behaviours that form part of a chronic condition whether physical or psychological. These changes include becoming more physically active and fit; pain management; feeling in control of your eating; the moderate consumption of alcohol; and cessation of smoking & problem gambling. She also has extensive experience helping people exit a substance abuse lifestyle.
Welcome! I look forward to meeting you and hearing your story. I’m a dedicated psychologist who values openness, authenticity, and collaboration. It’s important to me that you feel understood, respected, and valued.
I have a passion for making a difference in people’s lives by increasing their psychological flexibility to become equipped with skills to live a more valued life despite the challenges.
I am experienced in providing successful therapy grounded in empathy, genuineness and respect, I assists individuals across the lifespan referred from local stakeholders, mental health clinicians and GPs.
Martin is best known for his humour and pragmatism. Martin has experience working with a diverse range of clients, including children, adolescents, adults and families. Martin has spent recent years working in a mental health clinic for people living with addictions, trauma and mood disorders.
Welcome and hello to you, I am looking forward to understanding who you are as an individual. I am hopeful that through our time together we can put in place some steps and strategies to assist you in achieving the outcomes you desire.
I am looking forward to working collaboratively with you to identify your goals for therapy. I will endeavour to provide an environment that is warm, flexible, non-judgemental, and empathic. I believe in building a working partnership to identify your strengths and weaknesses and to focus on finding appropriate solutions and strategies so you can achieve your desired outcomes. I am passionate about psychology and believe together we can make a difference to improve your mental health and well-being.
I have learned that deep and lasting change is possible, that long-term issues can be resolved, and people can be free of emotional pain they carry by making sense of difficult experiences together, both past and present, and moving towards a place of self-understanding. Michiel works with adults and adolescents using an integrative approach which is based on empathy and building a strong mutual respect and working relationship with clients.
Mike’s approach to therapy is mainly based on a model called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on learning to let go of unhelpful thoughts, being present with difficult emotions and connecting to your values, the things that really matter to you. Mike identifies as a gay man and enjoys working with the LGBTQ+ community.
I am passionate about helping people solve problems. My approach is focused on uncovering the things that are holding you back, setting goals to fix this, and motivating you to take action. I tailor my approach to everyone individually, and I use techniques that have been shown by research to help people. If you are interested, please inquire. I look forward to working with you 🙂
I look forward to working with clients as individuals and take pride in supporting them to reach their goals towards improved mental health and well-being. My approach is to listen without judgment and to work collaboratively with each individual at their own pace to make meaningful change.
Hi, my name is Rachel and I’d love to meet and support you. What makes therapy with me different? We will work in the moment. I will meet you where you are at and walk alongside you using my wealth of tools and my deep intuition. You are not a diagnosis or a label to me. You are precious and unique – this I will honour and respect. My goal is to bring greater awareness and balance into your life.
For over a decade Racquel has worked with adults who have experienced difficulties with emotional regulation, substance use, trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, and antisocial conduct. She has a deep understanding of women specific issues (e.g., domestic violence and parenting concerns) as she has worked predominantly with women.
Samantha has a warm and empathic approach; taking the time to engage with each client and to understand their issues and challenges. Samantha has been practicing as a Psychologist for 10 years and has a particular interest in depression, anxiety disorders, teens and younger adults, anger management, emotional regulation difficulties, perfectionism and procrastination, building self esteem, life transitions and difficulties coping with daily stress.
Sanja’s approach is positive, warm, explorative, and solution-focused. Sanja has worked with adult clients struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, chronic pain, trauma and PTSD, anxiety and depression, stress management, parenting issues, relationship and life transition issues.
Sarah uses a person-centred, strength-based approach, working in collaboration with clients to reach their therapeutic goals. Sarah is highly focused on the therapeutic relationship using a calm and relaxed manner, positive communication strategies, empathy, and understanding during therapy sessions.
Sarah enjoys working with people with all presentations and particularly enjoys working in the areas of trauma, developmental disorders, anxiety, depression and with children and adolescents. Sarah has worked in the academic sector in universities in Tokyo, London, Italy and Turkey.
Well done for making it this far! I’d love to work with you to further harness your bravery to go and get whatever you want for your life. This includes relationships, which can be hard, but also so fulfilling. If that’s not your current experience, I’d love to work together to figure out attachment styles, or better conflict resolution or self regulation skills. I believe everyone deserves to be supported in all of life’s transitory moments and that relationship with ourselves and others can be a cocoon for healing. It would be my privilege to journey with you.
Shyan is passionate about improving psychological wellbeing and standard of living for individuals across cultures by encouraging individuals to continuously develop and improve their positive coping and problem-solving skills. Shyan also strongly believes in using an eclectic approach so as to create a comfortable environment and cater to individualized needs.
Simon is a qualified primary school teacher as well as a registered psychologist. Simon has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and behaviour and emotional disorders in children. He has a relaxed, easy going nature and likes to provide people with the skills to manage life’s challenges.
Stephanie has had nearly three decades of working with a diversity of clients, issues and genres. Stephanie is keen to work diversely with relationship issues family issues depression and anxiety faulty thinking self esteem learning difficulties stress performance management parenting and pregnancy including IVF.
Teresa’s approach is compassionate, open-minded, and collaborative – she employs various strategies and techniques that will best suit you as an individual. Teresa has broad experience with a range of difficulties including anxiety, OCD, depression, LGBTQ concerns, PTSD, addiction, ADHD, NDIS, eating disorders, grief and loss, stress & anger management, violence or family trauma, personality disorders, career & couples counselling.
I am looking forward to working with you. I believe that our experiences of life informs how we see the world. This means that I’m interested in who you are and what you believe in. My goal is to move you to the place that you would like to be. I have a lot of experience working with people whose experience has led them away from their goals. I like to take an approach that is understanding of this and hopeful about the future.
Tony supports people with a variety of presentations including depression, anxiety, stress, adjustment difficulties, grief and loss, addictions and work-related conditions such as burnout and career transition. Tony can also provide support in a high performance context (for example athletes & executives, start-up founders). Having lived in multiple continents and being from a multi-cultural background, Tony is able to support those who have a migrant background or is of east/south-east Asian descent.
Trevor provides therapy for men – he understands guys have a need for specialised male focused interventions for mental health. Trevor has experience supporting male clients with impulse control matters such as anger management, mood regulation, phobias, relationship distress, financial management and internet usage. He also treats addictive behaviours including overuse of pain killers, illicit drugs, gambling and alcohol.
Trisha has experience working with a diverse range of clients including children, community from different cultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and LGBT+ community.
Client-centred therapy lies at the center of my practice of psychology; where the client’s needs, personal perspectives and preferences inform my treatment methods and choices. I see psychological treatment as a collaborative experience forged by the kindred rapport between the client and myself. My clients and I embark on the recovery journey together and I ensure my approach enables the client to eventually become independent where they no longer need my contribution and have found a stronger, richer version of themselves through therapy.
Hello – I look forward to talking with you. I consider that effective counseling is founded on respect and conducted in the spirit of equality. I am interested in understanding each person as an individual with a unique history. In my work I value honesty and openness, and hold a strong personal and professional viewpoint that there can always something better for you in any given adverse (bad) situation.
Wame has been practising for over 10 years and brings a level of maturity and professionalism to her role as a psychologist. Wame’s key areas of interest include depression, anxiety, trauma, relationships, grief & bereavement, workplace issues, life difficulties & transitions, eating disorders, and anger & conflict.
I look forward to meeting you, getting to know you and forming a supportive and trusting therapeutic relationship that is centered on working together to create the life you wish for. I have worked extensively with young people from the ages of 5-18 and their families with the goal of always being respectful, an advocate and assisting clients to navigate their difficulties so that they can lead a rich and full life.
Will has worked with people across the lifespan, specialising in helping children and young adults in coping with stress in schools and workplaces, as well as building up interpersonal relationships and assertive communication skills. He has also helped people experiencing disordered eating, addiction, anxiety, depression and coping with transition and change.
Will is a warm and compassionate Psychologist who is passionate about supporting individuals attain greater mental health and well-being. Therapeutic sessions are centered around helping individuals gain a deeper insight of themselves, their behavioural patterns and self-beliefs.
William is an understanding and effective psychologist who works collaboratively to facilitate healing and a grounded sense of hope. He has extensive experience providing interventions to adults experiencing a wide range of psychological problems including addictions and anxiety disorders.
Winifred has a keen interest in working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, work-related mental health problems, perfectionism, procrastination, low self esteem and interpersonal difficulties. She focuses on being empathetic and supports clients on their journey. Winifred believes in creating a comfortable and safe environment where you feel you can talk openly about any issue.
I am looking forward to meeting many and varied clients to work with together to bring the very best in your life. My style is relaxed and friendly and I like to focus on the relationship we build together.
I have practiced for over 30 years with all range of problems so I welcome all or any struggles in your life,. We will approach issues together looking at the emotional processes, thoughts and feelings.