Are you struggling with alcohol, drugs, gambling or another behaviour that feels increasingly difficult to control? Perhaps you've tried to make changes but keep finding yourself falling back into old patterns.
I'm Mel, a counsellor based in Tauranga with experience supporting people through addiction recovery. I offer a compassionate, non-judgemental environment where you can talk openly about your experiences and explore ways to make positive changes.
I understand that addiction is often more complicated than simply deciding to stop. Stress, emotional pain, difficult experiences and unmet needs can all play a part in the patterns we develop.
My approach focuses on understanding what's happening beneath the surface, building on your strengths and finding practical ways forward.
Understanding addiction and addictive behaviours
Addiction can affect many areas of life, including your physical and emotional wellbeing, relationships, work and everyday responsibilities.
You may be concerned about:
- Alcohol use: Drinking more than you intended or finding it difficult to cut down.
- Drug use: Feeling increasingly dependent on substances or struggling to change your patterns of use.
- Gambling: Finding it difficult to stop gambling despite financial, emotional or relationship consequences.
- Other addictive behaviours: Repeating behaviours that provide temporary relief but create difficulties in other areas of your life.
- Relationships and trust: Experiencing conflict, secrecy or tension with people close to you.
- Relapse and setbacks: Finding yourself returning to familiar patterns despite wanting things to be different.
For some people, addictive behaviours develop gradually. For others, they may become a way of coping with anxiety, stress, trauma or difficult emotions.
Whatever your circumstances, I believe it's important to approach these difficulties with understanding rather than shame or blame.
Exploring what drives the pattern
In my counselling work, I often look beyond the behaviour itself to explore what may be contributing to it.
Sometimes alcohol, substances or other behaviours provide a temporary escape from overwhelming feelings, difficult memories or pressures in everyday life.
Over time, these ways of coping can become patterns that are increasingly difficult to change.
Together, we can explore when these behaviours occur, what triggers them and what needs they may be meeting.
Understanding these connections can help you recognise patterns and begin developing different ways of responding to difficult situations.
You don't have to have everything worked out before coming to counselling. We can start with what you're experiencing now and what you'd like to change.
My approach to addiction recovery
I have experience supporting people in addiction recovery and draw on several therapeutic approaches, depending on your needs.
These include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helping you recognise connections between thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and develop practical strategies for change.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Identifying achievable goals, exploring what's already working and taking manageable steps towards the changes you want.
- Strengths-Based Therapy: Recognising your existing abilities, resources and resilience, rather than focusing only on difficulties or setbacks.
I believe that recovery involves more than changing a particular behaviour. It's also about understanding yourself, developing healthier ways of coping and creating a life that feels meaningful and worthwhile.
My aim is to work collaboratively with you, respecting your experiences and the goals that matter to you.
Managing triggers and preventing relapse
Making changes can be challenging, particularly when familiar behaviours have become closely connected to stress, emotions or everyday routines.
In counselling, we can work on identifying situations or feelings that increase the urge to return to old patterns.
We can also explore practical strategies for managing these triggers, building healthier routines and seeking support when things become difficult.
Setbacks can happen during recovery. Rather than approaching them with judgement, I believe it's more helpful to understand what contributed to them and what can be learned.
Together, we can develop strategies for maintaining progress and responding to challenges as they arise.
Rebuilding confidence and moving forward
Addiction can affect how you see yourself and your relationships with others.
You may be carrying feelings of guilt, disappointment or frustration, particularly if previous attempts to make changes haven't gone as you hoped.
I aim to provide a supportive space where you can explore these feelings without judgement.
We can work towards rebuilding confidence, strengthening your relationships and reconnecting with the parts of life that matter most to you.
Recovery is a personal process, and what meaningful progress looks like will be different for everyone.
My role is to support you in finding a way forward that feels achievable and sustainable.
Addiction counselling in Tauranga and online
I offer individual addiction counselling in Tauranga, as well as online counselling for people who prefer to attend sessions remotely.
Whether you're beginning to recognise a problem, have been struggling for some time or are looking for support with maintaining changes you've already made, you're welcome to get in touch.
Would you like to know more or make an appointment? Please feel free to contact me.
Mel
Counsellor
Registered with NZAC
