Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy in Edinburgh, London and Online

A Holistic Trauma-Centered Approach

At The Life Academy, we understand addiction as a response to deep-seated emotional pain and trauma. Our holistic, trauma-informed approach to addiction counselling goes beyond addressing the surface-level behaviors of addiction. We delve into the underlying causes, helping individuals heal from trauma and emotional wounds using Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), among other evidence-based modalities. This comprehensive approach fosters lasting recovery by treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Addiction and Trauma: Unraveling the Core

Addiction often serves as a coping mechanism for unhealed trauma. Whether the trauma stems from childhood neglect, abuse, or significant life disruptions, addiction becomes a way to manage emotional pain. Our trauma-informed approach acknowledges that true recovery can only occur when these deep emotional wounds are addressed.

At The Life Academy, we help clients explore the root causes of their addiction, such as unresolved trauma, using IFS, Somatic Therapy, and Attachment-Based Therapy. By addressing these core issues, we guide individuals toward healing and sustainable recovery.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: Healing from Within

Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is central to our addiction treatment approach. IFS views the mind as made up of different parts, each with its own feelings, roles, and memories. In addiction, specific parts—often acting as “protectors” or “firefighters”—use substances or behaviors to shield the person from emotional pain. While these parts intend to protect, they can inadvertently perpetuate destructive behaviors.

In IFS, we help clients connect with their core Self, a compassionate and wise inner resource capable of healing these wounded parts. Through this process, clients can transform their internal system, reducing the need for addictive behaviors and fostering deep, lasting change. IFS empowers clients to cultivate self-compassion, gain greater self-awareness, and resolve the inner conflicts driving their addiction.

Somatic Therapy: Releasing Trauma from the Body

Somatic Therapy plays a vital role in helping clients heal from trauma, which is often stored in the body. Many individuals struggling with addiction experience physical symptoms of trauma, such as chronic tension, dissociation, or numbness. Addiction becomes a way to escape these uncomfortable sensations.

Through body-centered practices like Somatic Experiencing, breathwork, and mindful movement, clients learn to reconnect with their bodies and release trauma stored in their nervous systems. This process helps clients rebuild a sense of safety and regulation in their bodies, which is crucial for long-term addiction recovery.

Addressing a Range of Addictions

At The Life Academy, we provide counselling and psychotherapy for a wide range of addictions, understanding that addiction manifests in various forms beyond substance abuse. We help individuals struggling with substance addictions (including alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications), as well as behavioral addictions like sex addiction, pornography addiction, social media and Internet addiction, gaming, and overworking.

Behavioral addictions can be just as disruptive as substance use, often leading to isolation, guilt, and deteriorating mental health. Whether the addiction involves compulsive sexual behavior, endless scrolling through social media, or chronic overwork, the underlying emotional and psychological drivers are often the same—unresolved trauma, emotional pain, or unmet needs. Our approach treats all these forms of addiction with the same care and attention, offering comprehensive solutions tailored to the individual's needs.

Attachment-Based Therapy: Healing Relational Wounds

Many people with addiction issues have unresolved attachment wounds, often stemming from early childhood relationships where emotional needs were not adequately met. Attachment-Based Therapy helps clients explore these early relational patterns and understand how they continue to affect their behaviors and emotional responses in adulthood.

By healing attachment wounds, clients can begin to form healthier relationships with themselves and others. This process fosters emotional security, reduces feelings of abandonment, and addresses the relational isolation that often drives addiction. Building more secure attachments is a critical component of recovery and helps individuals feel less reliant on substances or addictive behaviors.

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT): Cultivating Self-Compassion

Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is an integral part of our approach to addiction counselling. Many individuals struggling with addiction carry deep feelings of shame, guilt, and self-criticism, which can perpetuate the cycle of self-destructive behaviors. CFT helps clients develop self-compassion by shifting their internal dialogue from one of harsh self-judgment to one of understanding and care.

Through CFT, clients learn to be more compassionate towards themselves, especially in moments of emotional distress or when they feel triggered to engage in addictive behaviors. This shift in perspective helps reduce the emotional suffering that often drives addiction and encourages healthier coping mechanisms. By fostering a compassionate relationship with themselves, clients are better able to manage difficult emotions and avoid relapse.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Managing Emotional Regulation

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is another key modality in our addiction counselling approach. DBT is particularly effective for individuals who struggle with emotional dysregulation, impulsive behaviors, and addiction. DBT teaches clients skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—critical tools for managing the emotional turbulence often associated with addiction.

By learning these practical skills, clients become better equipped to handle stress, manage cravings, and navigate challenging emotional situations without resorting to addictive behaviors.

Mentalization-Based Therapy: Building Self-Awareness

Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) helps individuals develop a deeper understanding of their own emotions and thoughts, as well as those of others. Addiction often arises when individuals are disconnected from their emotional world or struggle to understand their inner experiences. MBT fosters greater self-awareness and emotional insight, enabling clients to make better decisions, manage conflicts, and build stronger relationships.

This enhanced awareness is essential for breaking the cycle of addiction, as clients learn to understand the emotional triggers that drive their behaviors and develop healthier ways of responding.

Spiritual Counselling: Finding Meaning and Purpose

Spiritual Counselling plays a critical role in helping clients explore deeper questions about their purpose, values, and sense of meaning in life. Addiction often thrives in a vacuum of meaning, where individuals feel disconnected from their sense of self and purpose. By exploring existential questions, spiritual counselling encourages clients to reflect on what truly matters to them and develop a stronger sense of self-worth and direction.

This sense of meaning and purpose can serve as a powerful foundation for long-term recovery. When individuals feel connected to their purpose, they are more motivated to maintain sobriety and live a more fulfilling life.

Neurofeedback: Supporting Brain Regulation

Neurofeedback is an additional tool we offer to support addiction recovery. Neurofeedback trains the brain to regulate its own activity, promoting greater emotional stability, focus, and cognitive clarity. For individuals recovering from addiction, neurofeedback helps restore balance to the brain's patterns, reducing emotional volatility and improving self-regulation, which supports overall recovery efforts.

The Role of the Therapeutic Relationship

The relationship between therapist and client is at the heart of the healing process. In holistic psychotherapy, this relationship is characterized by acceptance, non-judgment, and empathy. We work collaboratively with clients, empowering them to take an active role in their healing journey. The therapeutic space is one of safety, where clients can explore their deepest fears, vulnerabilities, and hopes without fear of criticism or rejection.

The Life Academy offers a range of therapeutic modalities, but what ties them together is this foundational commitment to building trust and creating an environment where healing can flourish. Whether through individual counselling or group therapy, clients are encouraged to share their experiences and connect with others who understand their struggles.

A Holistic Journey to Healing

At The Life Academy, we take a holistic, trauma-informed approach to addiction counselling, integrating IFS, somatic therapy, attachment-based healing, CFT, DBT, and spiritual counselling. By addressing the root causes of addiction and fostering healing across mind, body, and spirit, we guide clients toward lasting recovery and personal transformation.

This comprehensive approach not only helps individuals overcome addiction but also enables them to rediscover their true selves, cultivate inner peace, and build a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Recovery is about more than breaking free from addiction; it’s about embracing a life of emotional wholeness and inner strength