Wes Woodland
Counsellor
Addiction Counselling
Addiction is often misunderstood. It’s not about weakness, selfishness, or a lack of willpower. Addiction is what happens when something that once helped you cope begins to harm you, and you can’t seem to stop, even though you want to.
You don’t need to reach crisis point to ask for help. If you’re questioning or are worried about your relationship with alcohol, substances, or certain behaviours, counselling can provide a safe space to make sense of what’s happening and explore a way forward.
I support those in Dorset and online who are struggling with both substance and behavioural addictions. My approach is:
- Non-judgemental (there are no labels or assumptions here)
- Trauma-informed (we focus not just on the addiction, but on what’s underneath it)
- Supportive (recovery is not a straight line, and I will walk alongside you as you find your path)
- Dedicated (you determine when to end therapy, not me)
Common Signs of Addiction
You may be:
- Using substances or behaviours even when you know they’re harmful
- Hiding or downplaying your habits from others
- Feeling guilt, shame, or loss of control around your use
- Using to cope with stress, trauma, or difficult emotions
- Struggling to stop, despite promising yourself you will
- Functioning well on the outside but feeling chaotic, numb, or stuck on the inside
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and there is support.
How I Can Support You
As an addiction counsellor, I offer a compassionate approach that comes with high support and high challenge. That means I will offer you the understanding and support you need, but I will also always challenge the addictive thinking (denial, minimisation, rationalisation, justification, etc) that might present itself in the room. In our work together, we can:
- Define what recovery means to you (whether that’s abstinence, moderation, or healing from the underlying pain)
- Explore the roots of your addiction and what it may be protecting you from
- Understand your coping strategies and develop healthier alternatives
- Work with triggers, cravings, and setbacks in a non-shaming way
- Break the cycle of guilt and self-blame
- Rebuild self-worth, trust, and connection with yourself and others
If you’d like to explore more about how I view addiction and recovery, you can read my in-depth blog post on understanding addiction.
Still not sure whether you really need addiction counselling? Have a read here.
For any other questions, please feel free to book yourself in for a free consultation—no strings attached.
