Fiona Dowman

Are you affected by alcohol or drugs? Whether you are someone who is stuck in a cycle of using drugs or alcohol or a loved one affected by someone else's drinking or drug use, I am here to help. Perhaps you are experiencing difficult thoughts or feelings such as worry, stress, anxiety or depression that feel impossible to deal with without drinking or taking drugs. You feel that you need to drink or take drugs to have a good time, cope with negative thoughts or to feel confident. You feel good when you're drinking or taking drugs but feel terrible after a come down. Or it has become a habit and you don’t get any pleasure from it anymore. If your drinking or drug use is impacting your quality of life, therapy might be a good option for you. I'm an experienced Clinical Psychologist and I am passionate about helping adults with drug and alcohol related issues, to develop alternative coping strategies for dealing with life’s challenges. For affected Family or Friends: when someone you care about has a drug or alcohol problem, or has done in the past, it’s natural to experience a range of difficult thoughts and feelings such as stress, anxiety, anger or guilt. Do you feel responsible for your loved one’s behaviour or that you haven't done a good enough job at helping them to quit? Or perhaps you feel sad, angry, hurt or let down by the person in your life using drugs or alcohol. Are you finding these feelings overwhelming and difficult to cope with? It’s understandable that you might be focussed on trying to help your loved one but neglecting your own needs can negatively impact your wellbeing and make you less effective at supporting your loved one. It’s important to also look after yourself. I’m here to support YOU. I'm an experienced Clinical Psychologist and I specialise in helping adults to navigate the impact of a loved one's drinking or drug use, develop coping tools, improve wellbeing and quality of life. In my 12 years of experience working and researching in NHS and third sector drug and alcohol services, it has struck me how hard it can be for loved ones to get the right help. Unfortunately, there are still misunderstandings, stigma and shame surrounding drugs, alcohol and addiction but you don’t have to cope alone. I provide affected loved one’s with effective psychological strategies to help navigate challenges with compassion. Fees: £130 per session I accept insurance: WPA, Axa, Aviva. It's important to find a therapist who is the right fit for you. I offer a free 20 minute video call (via zoom) to briefly discuss what is troubling you, whether I can help and give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have. Book your free call now on my website www.purplebridgepsychology.co.uk/work-with-me