Substance Use Counselling in Bristol
See all counsellors in BristolNot accepting new clients

Richard De Val
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Counselling for men who don't want counselling ... Many men see therapy as a waste of time and money, a one-sided converastion, solely focused on feelings, with little opportunity for you to fix things yourself. You want to go it alone.The very notion of discussing your private life with a stranger makes you recoil. You really want to be okay. You really want to just have your life together. But you cant' seem to stop being moody, angry, agressive, jealous and, sometimes even, suicidal. You may be drinking too much, using drugs or gambling too much. Deep down, you're suffering and so are the people around you.

Hannah Paton
Counsellor, MBACP Accred
Verified
Verified
Has your drink or drug use started to get on top of you? Are you experiencing difficulties in relationships with those around you? Have you turned to self-destructive patterns of behaviour in an attempt to cope with low mood, difficult experiences or traumatic events? If this sounds like you then my years of experience as a Counsellor in the fields of substance misuse and in healing trauma may help to heal your fragmented parts and build your own motivation to make the behavioural changes you desire. Please follow the link to my website, where you can find out more about me and the way that I work.

Peggy Sweeney Bsc(Hons) Pgdip
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Emotional well being is something we can often take for granted, and more often than not we do not take time to attend to our emotional well being until we begin to struggle to maintain a balance. You may just need some space to reflect safely and without judgement. Perhaps you are overwhelmed by the pressures of life, stuck in a rut, repeating negative patterns, or trying to find a way out of anxiety or depression. Maybe you just don’t feel able to share your worries and concerns with those around you? Maybe you just don’t feel like ‘you’ and would like to explore why, or you have feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness.

Celia Stewart
Counsellor, MNCS Accred
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am a qualified counsellor and complementary health practitioner and tutor. I studied counselling and addiction at the University of Bath and I also have wide ranging life and work experience. Most of us can have times in life when it seems as though we can't cope and we may feel worried, fearful or confused. At these times it can be helpful to give ourselves the gift of speaking to someone who is not a family member or friend, someone we can be honest with, without fear of judgement or opinion.

Rebecca Smith
Psychotherapist, MNCS Accred
Verified
Verified
I am a warm, empathetic and non-judgemental psychotherapist and counsellor. I have worked with adults, young people and families for many years and am passionate about helping people on their way towards making change and living happier and more fulfilled lives. I offer a safe, non-judgemental environment in which you can explore what is going on for you and the impact this is having on your life. I offer a free, no-obligation, introductory session either on the telephone or online and both short term and longer term counselling is available.

Hyunho Khang
Psychotherapist, MA, MBACP Accred
Verified
Verified
I have wide experience counselling a diverse range of clients experiencing depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, loss, grief, anger issues, confidence issues, relationship difficulties, issues around sex, issues at work, addiction, eating issues, abuse, trauma and autism. I work in conjunction with NHS services and other health professionals to support adults in the South West. I have a particular interest in working with clients with relationship difficulties (including sex issues), clients affected by narcissism in their relationships, and clients with somatic problems including pain, chronic fatigue, ME, IBS and fibromyalgia.
Not accepting new clients

Pete Weinstock
MSc
My goal is to help people build self-awareness, learn from mistakes and strengthen motivation. If you are looking for support to manage anxiety, stress, difficult emotions, problematic use of drugs and alcohol; or the feelings of helplessness and being overwhelmed that come with persistent problematic behaviour patterns I may be able to provide the support you are looking for. I am a well-qualified and experienced Drug, Alcohol and Addiction Counsellor. I am also trained in Auricular Acupuncture, Motivational Interviewing and Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes.

Mike Swift
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Is your life is feeling hard or painful in some way right now? Something needs to change but it feels like a mountain to climb? Feeling stuck or confused? My hope is that I can help. If you choose to work with me, my promise to you is that I will listen with respect, care and compassion. I will offer my authentic responses to whatever you bring. Perhaps, together, we can develop new perspectives on your life. I believe in the power of a real relationship, with a counsellor, to bring about the change you desire. I look forward to hearing from you.

Ashlyn Firkins
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Verified
Verified
I have a strong belief that people are intrinsically resilient & resourceful & that under the right therapeutic conditions, emotional suffering can be reduced & fulfilling lives, lived out. My intention is to provide a safe, hopeful space for people to explore how they would like to be in the wider world & practical ways to achieve this. Since 2014 I have worked in a variety of NHS settings, using talking therapies to support individuals navigate a range of emotional & physical health difficulties of varying complexicities. These difficulties include: anxiety, low mood, trauma, chronic-illnesses, relationship and employment issues.

brighter pathways
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
I am a qualified counsellor and teacher, I have studied Counselling and Substance Misuse at FdSc level and have a Diploma in Social Work, as well as having a wide range of work and life experience. My down to earth nature empowers me to be accessible, approachable and non-judgmental which is an essential part of a successful working therapeutic relationship. Aiding people to work through their own life challenges is my absolute passion and driving force behind Brighter Pathways Counselling.

Nicholas McLellan
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Most of us are taught from an early age that we should hide parts of ourselves to get by. As the person we are pulls away from the person we’re told we should be, we’re left with lingering distress and a struggle to feel truly connected and at home within ourselves. I believe the more we understand, accept and nurture ourselves, the more equipped to find the connection, community and purpose we’re longing for. Perhaps you feel that sense of struggle, or are feeling unmoored from the person you really are. Perhaps you're looking for support as you grow and find your way.
Bristol BS1
& Online
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Tom Abbott
Counsellor, MA, MBACP
Verified
Verified
What brings you to counselling could be any number of reasons: You may have experienced the loss of a loved one; perhaps your life is in such chaos you can no longer see the forest for the trees; or, you may simply wish to look at yourself and your patterns of behaviour in a clearer light. What I offer is a space for you to come to terms with your life, free of judgement, so that you can live it to the fullest.

Ana Jorge
Psychotherapist, MA, MUKCP
Verified
Verified
Are you feeling confused, lost, scared, overwhelmed by your thoughts and emotions? Many people experience the same. Psychotherapy can help you to understand what lies beneath these emotions and support you in bringing balance to your life. I am a psychotherapist with a wide range of experience working with clients (children, adolescents and adults) in various places. In particular, I have worked in-depth with complex trauma, attachment problems, clients who are in abusive relationships with their partners or family and problems related to the body; I use body techniques to help clients to self-regulate states of panic/anxiety.

Lucy Hobbs
Counsellor, MNCS Accred
Verified
Verified
Hello, my name is Lucy and I am a fully qualified and insured counsellor. I work as an integrative therapist taking a person-centred and relational approach to counselling. I use a range of techniques and approaches - depending on a client's individual needs. Put simply, I'm passionate about promoting good mental health. We all need to express ourselves in a way that we want to, and at a pace that is comfortable for us. I will support you to explore and reflect upon your feelings, issues and challenges - past and present, build on your self-acceptance and gain a greater understanding of your emotional and physical wellbeing.

Steve Moore
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
So often in our lives we reach a place where we are struggling in some capacity or another. It may be a deep-rooted issue that goes back to childhood, a past relationship or a trauma. It may be some destructive behaviour such as a form of self-harm or an eating disorder. It may be a negative thought process that is having an impact on our daily life. Whatever the issue, I believe counselling can help. Having a place where we can allow ourselves time and a calm space to think, talk and work things out can be absolutely priceless.
Not accepting new clients

Di Hall
Counsellor, DCounsPsych, MBACP Snr. Accred
Verified
Verified
Are you going through a challenging period that is affecting daily life? Are you struggling with issues of anxiety, anxiety disorders, depression, anger separation, loss, grief, trauma, low self esteem/confidence? I can work with you to discover new ways of responding to these different blocks and dilemmas in life. Therapy being offered is person to person & online.

Victoria Room
Counsellor, MSc, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Counselling is for anyone and everyone. You might have a specific thing you want to work on – pain from your past or worries about the future. Or you might have a general sense that something is stuck, that this isn’t quite the life you’d expected. Counselling offers the opportunity for us to develop a creative partnership , where we can work together to explore both what is troubling you and your potential in life and to support you to find a sense of freedom to be your true self. Counselling is not an easy option, it can uncover painful feelings, but it can be a step on the way to feeling better and more at peace with yourself.

Hannah Raine-Smith
Psychotherapist, MBACP Accred
Verified
Verified
I am an integrative therapist specialising in using eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to treat a wide range of psychological issues. I am highly trained in psychotherapy, neuroscience and trauma and believe that our current issues can often be traced back to early adverse experiences in childhood. Compared to standard talking therapy EMDR generally takes a shorter amount of time to get to the root cause of the issue. Rather than just dealing with symptom management (like CBT), EMDR therapy works directly with the cause of your distress.
Bristol BS1
& Online

Craig Davies
Psychotherapist, MA, MUKCP
Verified
Verified
My name is Craig Davies and I am a fully qualified and experienced Psychotherapist available for short and longer-term treatment. I hold full UKCP registration. If you are experiencing emotional difficulties, problems in relationships or patterns in your life that you want to change, psychotherapy can be an effective way of addressing these issues from within. I offer a comfortable and confidential space in which to explore your feelings. I work in accordance with the code of ethics of UKCP.

Stafford Wilson
Counsellor, MBACP
Verified
Verified
Counselling is a safe space where you can talk about problems and process difficult emotions without shame or judgement. We often feel that we should be able to deal with our problems without others help. But it is often through sharing and opening up to others, that we can find the way to heal ourselves. Trauma, mental or emotional problems, disconnect us from ourselves and others. Sharing our pain and our story (in a relationship where it is held safely) can allow us to value, respect and have compassion for all parts of ourselves. This re-integration unblocks our creative/healing potential and our sense of purpose and meaning.
See more therapy options for
Substance Use Counsellors
How do substance and drug recovery or rehabilitation programs work?
In inpatient programs, individuals live in a facility with other clients in recovery; in outpatient programs, individuals reside at home. These facilities are staffed with healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists. Staff often also includes people who have recovered themselves, serving as mentors and guides. These programs may use abstinence, harm reduction, detoxification, psychotherapy, and other methods.
How do 12-step programs combined with psychotherapy work?
Members of 12-step programs help each other reach abstinence and work to maintain it. These programs promote complete change in the individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual perspectives. Some programs require that new members attend 90 meetings in 90 days. Many people do attend these programs in conjunction with their work in psychotherapy; the combination of therapy along with 12-step can be extremely effective.
How does harm reduction combined with psychotherapy work?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, harm reduction prevents death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse. People who choose harm reduction for substance use reduce the amount of drugs they consume. It is not abstinence-based like a 12-step program, but combining harm reduction with psychotherapy proves to be effective for many people.
Are there specific medications for substance and drug use?
There are medications approved to treat substance use disorder—such as buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and acamprosate. These medications do help people cope with substance use as well as avoid the problem of relapse. Naltrexone can help reduce cravings, methadone is an opioid medication used to treat severe pain, and acamprosate may help ease symptoms like poor sleep and anxious feelings.