Lizzie Kincaid

Monday/Wednesday late afternoon - early evening 

Thursday/Friday - daytime 

Weekends appointments are available on higher hourly rate. 

I currently have limited availability

If alcohol, substances, or certain behaviours feel as though they are taking up more space in your life than you would like, you are not alone. With the right support, patterns that feel hard to shift can change.

I am Lizzie, a counsellor specialising in addiction and recovery support for individuals and families. I work with people affected by alcohol use, substance use, and compulsive or addictive behaviours including gambling, sex, shopping, and other behaviours that feel difficult to control. I also support the emotional difficulties that often sit alongside addiction, such as anxiety, depression, shame, stress, low self-worth, and relationship problems. In addition to my private practice, I work within an NHS IAPT service as a High Intensity Therapist and have experience working with people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and communities.

My work is grounded in professional training and lived experience. Having navigated my own journey from addiction to recovery, I understand how complex, personal, and often hidden these struggles can be. This informs how I work, with empathy, honesty, and a deep respect for the courage it takes to ask for help.

Change happens through a strong therapeutic relationship. I aim to offer a space that feels safe, non-judgemental, and real, where you can talk openly about what is going on without fear of being criticised or misunderstood. I work collaboratively, at your pace, helping you understand your patterns, strengthen healthier coping, and move towards a life that feels more manageable and meaningful.

You do not need to be certain or have everything figured out. If you are questioning your relationship with alcohol, substances, or behaviours and wondering whether things could be different that is enough to start.

Clients often come to me feeling conflicted, ashamed, or unsure where to begin. Some know addiction is a problem; others are simply questioning whether their coping strategies are causing harm. Many feel exhausted by cycles they cannot seem to break.

In our work together, I take a holistic view of your life. We look not only at the addictive behaviour itself, but also at what is driving it such as emotional needs, past experiences, relationships, stress, trauma, or ways you have learned to cope. This is not about blame or labels. It is about understanding and choice. Our sessions may include open talking therapy, reflective exercises, or practical strategies between sessions where helpful, always guided by what feels right for you.

Sessions are led by what matters most to you. I work relationally and collaboratively, checking in regularly about how therapy feels so it can be shaped around your needs. I am honest, compassionate, and direct when helpful, supporting you to explore difficult thoughts and feelings while also helping you build safer, more supportive ways of coping.

I also work with family members and loved ones affected by addiction, and with people who may not identify as “addicted” but feel something is not sitting right. You do not need to be at crisis point to benefit from therapy.

You can expect a space where you are taken seriously, treated with respect, and supported to make sense of your experiences at a pace that feels manageable and sustainable.

The first session is a chance for us to slow things down and begin where you are. Many people arrive feeling nervous, unsure what to say, or worried about being judged — especially when addiction or compulsive behaviours are involved. You don’t need to prepare, explain yourself perfectly, or have clear goals. We take it one step at a time.

We will talk about what has brought you to therapy and what has been feeling difficult. That might include alcohol, substances, or behaviours you are concerned about, as well as the emotional impact they are having on your life and relationships. You are always in control of what you share, and there is no pressure to disclose anything you are not ready to explore.

I will ask some gentle questions to help me understand your situation and what support might be most helpful. This is not an assessment or interrogation; it is a conversation. I will also explain how I work, answer any questions you have, and outline practical details such as confidentiality, boundaries, how sessions usually run, and whether we will be meeting online or in person.

By the end of the session, we can reflect together on how it felt to talk and whether ongoing therapy feels like the right next step. Some people want clarity and structure; others want space and time. We will shape the work around what feels safest and most useful for you.

If you are unsure about starting therapy, I also offer a free 15-minute phone call. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, talk things through, and get a sense of whether working together feels right before committing to a first session.