Addiction therapy in London
Addiction and compulsive behaviours are often surrounded by shame, secrecy and self-criticism.
You may be in recovery, worried about relapse, questioning your relationship with substances or behaviours, or trying to understand why certain patterns keep returning.
I offer addiction therapy in London – in person at King’s Cross, Angel and Farringdon – and online, helping adults explore addiction, recovery and emotional coping with care, honesty and without judgement.
Michael Swales
MBACP, NCPS Acc.In-person therapy in London
Online therapy
across the UKIndividual therapy
from £75Couples therapy
from £95
Who it’s for
Support in London for recovery, relapse or uncertainty
Addiction therapy can be helpful whether you are already in recovery, worried about slipping back into old patterns, or beginning to question your relationship with substances, behaviours or compulsive coping.
You may feel trapped between wanting change and fearing what life will feel like without the thing you have relied on.
Therapy offers a confidential space to explore what is happening underneath the behaviour, including shame, trauma, stress, relationships, emotional pain and the need to cope.
Common reasons
Reasons people seek addiction therapy
-
Alcohol or substance-related concerns
-
Compulsive behaviours
-
Relapse patterns
-
Shame, secrecy or self-criticism
-
Fear of slipping back into old habits
-
Difficulty coping with emotions
-
Relationship problems linked to addiction
-
Trauma connected to addiction or recovery
-
Feeling stuck between wanting change and fearing it
-
Loss of confidence or identity in recovery
-
Using substances or behaviours to numb, escape or cope
What to expect
A confidential space without judgement
Sessions are steady, collaborative and honest.
We can explore the behaviour itself, but also what sits around it: shame, fear, triggers, emotional pain, relationships, trauma, relapse patterns and the ways you have learned to cope.
The work is not about being judged or reduced to an addiction label. It is about understanding what the behaviour has been doing for you, what becomes difficult when you try to change it, and what support may help you move forward.
Therapy can also sit alongside recovery communities, coaching, meetings, group support or other forms of treatment.
About the therapist
An addiction and drug therapist in London
My approach is integrative, relational and trauma-informed.
I draw on relationship psychotherapy, somatic therapy, trauma-informed practice and addiction recovery work to help you understand yourself with less shame and more clarity.
Experienced and accredited
Michael Swales is registered with professional bodies including BACP and NCPS, with additional training in relationship psychotherapy, somatic trauma therapy and addiction recovery.
Locations and online
Addiction therapy near you
in London and online
If you are looking for an alcohol addiction therapist or a drug counsellor near you, sessions take place in person at King’s Cross, Angel and Farringdon, and online.
For a general introduction to how this work can help, read about addiction counselling.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Not necessarily. This depends on your situation and the type of support you need. Therapy can be helpful for people in recovery, people worried about relapse and people beginning to question their relationship with substances or behaviours.
Yes. Therapy can help you understand what tends to happen before relapse, including emotional triggers, shame, stress, relationship difficulties, trauma responses or feeling disconnected from support.
Therapy is confidential, with some legal and ethical limits around risk and safeguarding. These boundaries can be discussed clearly before you begin.
Yes. Therapy can support people already in recovery by helping with shame, identity, relationships, trauma, emotional regulation and the deeper patterns that may sit beneath addiction.
Yes. Shame is often a major part of addiction and recovery. Therapy can help you speak about what has felt hidden, understand yourself with less judgement and build a more compassionate relationship with recovery.
Yes. Therapy can sit alongside other forms of recovery support, including meetings, coaching, treatment programmes or group work.
I am a therapist registered with BACP and NCPS, with additional training in addiction recovery, offering addiction therapy in London and online. I offer talking therapy only, not detox or other medical addiction services.
Individual therapy starts from £75. Fees can vary depending on the type of therapy, format and circumstances, and this can be discussed during your initial consultation.
Get in touch
Take the next step when you're ready
Reaching out can feel like a big step, I offer a safe, confidential place to talk and explore what support might look like for you. Phone, email, video-call or in-person sessions – get in touch in whatever way suits you.
Email
info@michaelswales.com
Response time
I aim to respond to within 1 working day.
I'll be happy to hear from you.
Your details are secure and will never be shared.
This form is confidential.