Addiction Counselling

Online Addiction Counselling

Our Services / Addiction Counselling

What is Addiction Really?

Addiction is a physical and psychological need to do, take, or use something – to the point where it is harmful to you. Addictions become central to your life leading to compulsive behaviours that interfere with your work, and relationships.

Addictions that are unaddressed can result in many negative consequences including job loss, relationship breakdowns and bankruptcy. This is where addiction counselling can help.

Many people become addicted to alcohol without realising that it is negatively impacting their life, health, and relationships. It’s not all about drugs and alcohol though – addiction comes in many forms, with some people addicted to gambling, sex, food, social media or other compulsive behaviours in detrimental ways.
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About Our Addiction Counselling

Addiction is more than just a bad habit; it’s a complex condition where something, whether substance or behaviour, takes over your life and leads to harmful consequences. At The Indigo Project, our addiction counselling services offer a supportive environment to tackle these compulsive patterns, ensuring that addiction doesn’t have to dictate your life.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a physical and psychological need to do, take, or use something—to the point where it’s harmful to you. Addictions become central to your life, leading to compulsive behaviours that interfere with your work and relationships.

Unaddressed addictions can result in serious consequences, including job loss, relationship breakdowns and bankruptcy.

Many individuals may not realise how alcohol addiction quietly impacts their life, health, and relationships. But addiction doesn’t just stop at substances like alcohol and drugs—it also appears as compulsive behaviours with gambling, sex, food, and even social media, all of which can subtly disrupt daily living. This is where addiction counselling can help.

The Role of an Addiction Psychologist

Our addiction psychologists specialise in understanding the root causes of your addiction. Through inclusive, warm, and personalised addiction therapy sessions, we focus on overcoming the destructive cycles of behaviour that lead to physical and psychological dependence. Our methods are designed to help you regain control and work towards a balanced, fulfilling life.

Understanding Use vs Abuse

One concept explored in addiction counselling is the underlying motivators for the use of substances. People use substances for multiple and complex reasons, some of which include:

  • To unwind.
  • To fit in.
  • To numb emotions or physical pain.
  • To escape reality.
  • To have fun.

Drug abuse is marked by how often someone uses it, combined with a strong craving and a loss of control over their usage. This often leads to regular or compulsive urges to use substances, which can, unfortunately, steer lives in unwanted directions due to a growing dependency.

Comprehensive Online Addiction Therapy

We offer a broad spectrum of addiction counselling services, including:

  • Substance Addiction Counselling: Tackling issues with alcohol, prescription, and recreational drugs.
  • Gambling Addiction Counselling: Addressing the compulsive need to gamble, which often goes unnoticed until severe financial damage occurs.
  • Internet Addiction Counselling: Helping you manage the compulsive use of digital devices that can isolate you from direct human interactions.
  • Sexual Addiction Counselling: Providing support for compulsive sexual behaviours that endanger your wellbeing and relationships.

How Our Addiction Therapy Works

Addiction doesn’t appear overnight. It often starts innocuously—an attempt to relieve stress or peer influence—and gradually spirals out of control, driven by an increasing need to recreate a ‘high’. Our addiction psychologists work with you to break this cycle, providing strategies to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce usage, and eventually quit the behaviour or substance use.

Specialised Online Therapy for Addiction

With The Indigo Project, accessing help has never been easier, thanks to our online therapy options. You can connect with skilled addiction counsellors from home or wherever you feel safe and comfortable. Our online psychologists keep sessions confidential and tailored to fit into your life, ensuring that getting help is not another stressor.

Our Unique Approach to Addiction Therapy

At The Indigo Project, we believe in a holistic approach to treatment. This includes using techniques like CBT therapy to address the thought patterns associated with addiction, ADHD therapy for those who may have underlying attention disorders contributing to addictive behaviours, and inclusive LGBTQ therapy for community members facing specific challenges.

Get Matched to the Right Addiction Psychologist

Finding the right therapist is crucial for effective recovery. With our Perfect Match Promise, we make sure you connect with an addiction therapist who deeply understands and resonates with your personality and therapy needs. If the fit isn’t right initially, we promise to find you a new match until it’s perfect, with your first session on us.

Ready to Reclaim Your Life?

If you’re ready to take the first step towards overcoming addiction, we’re here to help. Our team of compassionate and professional addiction counsellors at The Indigo Project are dedicated to supporting you through your recovery journey. Find your perfect therapist today and start on the path to a healthier, addiction-free life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect from addiction therapy?

Expect a compassionate, non-judgmental space in therapy, where all addiction psychologists are unique but united in their approach to supporting and guiding you. Initially, you’ll discuss your history and goals. From the second session, you’ll delve deeper, uncovering layers and learning strategies to foster personal growth and transformation.

How many addiction counselling sessions do I need?

The number of counselling sessions you need varies. Initially, we suggest six sessions, but this can be adjusted based on your goals and progress. Treatment usually ranges from 4 to 12 sessions, though more may be needed for complex issues. Sessions can be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, adapting as you gain confidence.

Is online therapy effective for addiction treatment?

Online therapy for addiction offers flexibility and accessibility, making it a viable and effective option for those who prefer privacy and convenience while seeking professional support.

How do I start with an addiction psychologist at The Indigo Project?

Starting is easy: visit our website, select ‘Find Your Match’ to connect with an addiction counsellor who fits your needs, and schedule your first session to begin your journey toward recovery.
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How Does Addiction Happen?

First things first: No one plans to be an addict.

Addiction is usually a sneaky, steady progression that begins with recreational or medical use. The first time you use a substance or engage in a behaviour – the affects tend to be immediate and intense – and we get a hit of dopamine – a feel good hormone

But the longer we use or do this, we can find ourselves needing more and more of the substance or behaviour to get that same ‘high’. And here starts the downward spiral into addiction that can be incredibly difficult cycle to get out of.

The cycle: As we try to use or engage in the behaviour less > the more we experience withdrawal symptoms > the more uncomfortable or distressed we become > the more we want that hit or release again

If you feel that you are at risk of developing or currently suffering from an addiction, or even if you want to explore whether a behaviour is negatively impacting your life, you can link in with one of our therapists.

Unfortunately, due to the social stigma, many addicts suffer in silence or may be unwilling to admit there is a problem. We are here to provide a judgement free zone and believe that you may benefit enormously from speaking to a professional therapist at Indigo to lead a more fulfilling life, ruled by your values and not your addiction.

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Meet Our Therapists

PhotoAYANTHI DE SILVA

ayanthi de silva, Registered Psychologist

PhotoDR NAVIT GOHAR-KADAR

dr navit gohar-kadar, Clinical Psychologist

PhotoBRE ELDER

bre elder, Senior Psychologist

PhotoNEKIYAH DHARSHI

nekiyah dharshi, Registered Psychologist

PhotoMAJA CZERNIAWSKA

maja czerniawska, Senior Psychologist

PhotoANNIA BARON

annia baron, Clinical Psychologist

PhotoTAYLA GARDNER

tayla gardner, Psychotherapist & Counsellor

PhotoLORNA MACAULAY

lorna macaulay, Senior Psychologist

PhotoSHUKTIKA BOSE

shuktika bose, Clinical Psychologist

PhotoDEEPIKA GUPTA

deepika gupta, Clinical Psychologist

PhotoDR EMER MCDERMOTT

dr emer mcdermott, Clinical Psychologist

PhotoNICOLE BURLING

nicole burling, Senior Psychologist

PhotoNATASHA KASSELIS

natasha kasselis, Senior Psychologist

PhotoDR PERRY MORRISON

dr perry morrison, Senior Psychologist

PhotoGAYNOR CONNOR

gaynor connor, Psychotherapist & Counsellor

PhotoSHAUNTELLE BENJAMIN

shauntelle benjamin, Registered Psychologist

PhotoLIZ KIRBY

liz kirby, Psychotherapist & Counsellor

PhotoSAM BARR

sam barr, Clinical Psychologist

PhotoDARREN EVERETT

darren everett, Senior Psychologist

PhotoJAMIE DE BRUYN

jamie de bruyn, Senior Psychologist

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is The Indigo Project?

We are a progressive online counselling practice, providing telehealth services in Australia. Our passionate and experienced local team includes psychologists, psychotherapists & counsellors, coaches and therapists that are trained to deliver online therapy to you in a safe and convenient way.

Whether you are looking for short or long term support through a challenging time, or looking to discover your potential, we want you to feel comfortable on every step of the journey.

Read more about Our Story 

Telehealth: About Therapy and Online Counselling

What can I expect from therapy? What is therapy like?

Every therapist is different and their therapeutic style and personalities are all unique. However, all of our Indigo practitioners will hold a compassionate and non-judgmental space for you, where you are free to be who you are. Your therapist is there to listen to you, guide you, and help you overcome life’s challenges.

Generally, you’ll spend the first session getting to know each other, talking about your history and what it is you’d like to work through. From your second session onwards, you’ll get to go deeper, peeling back the layers and all the while learning practical strategies to help you transform and grow.

At Indigo we encourage our clients to have at least 10-20 sessions, because we believe that therapy is a long-term journey of commitment, growth and investment in yourself. After seeing your therapist for a while, you may continue to book occasional check-in sessions as you feel more confident doing life with the knowledge and tools you have gained.

Who is online therapy for?

Everyone is welcome to attend online counselling or therapy with one of our practitioners at The Indigo Project.

Online counselling or therapy via Zoom is an accessible, safe and convenient option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face appointments, or simply prefer to meet online. Whether it be a busy schedule due to work and family, health-related reasons or distance, online counselling can help you.

What issues are suited for online therapy?

Our team of trained clinical psychologists, psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors attend to a range of common mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship issues and more.

A number of practitioners also specialise in areas such as sexuality, gender and identity, addiction, sports and performance, personality disorders and therapy for children and adolescents.

Several therapists also provide services in marriage counselling and couples therapy.

Finding the best psychologist or counsellor for me - where do I start?

We highly encourage you to view our practitioners and use the filtering options to find a psychologist or counsellor who can help you with the issues you are seeking help for.

Meet our therapists and what they can help you with here.

If you need help, our Therapy Matchmakers team will be able to match you with a practitioner. Give us a call on (02) 9212 5469 or email us at [email protected] so we can support you on your journey.

What if I can’t see the therapist I had in mind?

Our therapists typically have capacity to see several new clients each month. However these openings can get filled up fast from those who have been on a waitlist. If there is someone that you particularly want to see but is currently unavailable, we can place you on a waitlist until there is an opening.

If you prefer to attend an online counselling session sooner, our Therapy Matchmakers can help you find an alternative practitioner based on your needs and what you are looking to achieve in therapy.

Meeting a therapist for the first time can feel like a first date. If you don’t connect with your therapist on your first or second session, we’ll pair you with a new practitioner and your next session will be on the house* as part of our Perfect Match Promise.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Can I make an appointment for my child or dependent?

If you are the parent or legal guardian of a minor, you will need to make an appointment online or via the phone.

We have many psychologists, psychotherapists & counsellors who have experience dealing with children and adolescents in therapy. See who can help here.

Someone I know needs counselling. Can I book an appointment for them?

Those who require online counselling or therapy will have to make an appointment directly with The Indigo Project via our online booking form or on the phone. We do not accept bookings on behalf of an individual or couple from a third party unless as part of an insurance plan, support scheme or similar arrangement.

We want marriage or couples counselling. Can we see a couples counsellor together?

Couples are welcome to attend online therapy sessions together with one of our couples therapists.

Do I need to do anything before my first session?

We recommend setting up for your online therapy session 5-10 minutes before it commences. Make sure your computer or phone microphone and video is working, and that you are comfortable and ready to sit through your session uninterrupted.

There’s zero pressure to prepare anything for your first session but if you find it helpful, you can jot down some points about specific things you’d like to work on or discuss with your therapist.

Are my therapy sessions confidential?

Everything you discuss with your therapist here at Indigo is absolutely confidential, and will not be shared unless you or someone else is at risk of serious harm.

How do I pay for my online therapy session?

For first time clients, payment is made via debit or credit card at the time of booking. For returning clients, there are a number of payment methods available such as authorised direct debit or online via the payments link on your invoice.

Who to contact if you are in crisis

The Indigo Project is not a crisis service.

  • If you are in a crisis, if you are experiencing suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or somebody else is in danger, DO NOT use this service.
  • Call 000 or use these contacts for immediate crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

Lifeline 13 11 14 - A crisis support and suicide prevention service for all Australians.

Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 - The Mental Health Line offers professional help and advice for everyone. Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 - Beyond Blue provide support to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental illnesses.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 - A free service for people who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal, bereaved by suicide or are health professionals supporting people affected by suicide.

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 - A counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

Parentline 1300 1300 52 - Parent Line is a free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in NSW.

What else does The Indigo Project do?

Our courses, workshops and events are designed to transform the way you think, feel and live.

Not ready to commit to therapy? Indigo founder Mary Hoang has created Get Your Sh*t Together, a self-directed digital course for those who want to develop greater self-awareness, tackle stress and anxiety, and learn practical skills to help heal, grow and thrive in life.

Mary has also written a book Darkness is Golden: A Guide to Personal Transformation and Dealing with Life's Messiness that combines her experience in the therapy room with unique audio experiences framed by her research in music psychology.

Available for free download are a number of toolkits to help you combat your depression, deal with your anxiety or transform your relationships.

Although an online counselling practice, The Indigo Project believes in the power of community, and we often host events throughout the year. Keep an eye out for events such as Listen Up, a contemporary digital sound bath some describe as a “soundtracked therapy session”.

We are also available for corporate events, workshops and related projects. Please contact us at [email protected] if you’d like to know more.

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