Phase 1: Assessment and formulation

The assessment consists of a series of three consultations with a consultant psychologist to understand the nature of your addiction. A range of topics will be covered including the history and patterns of your addiction, your social, familial and professional background, and your goals and expectations of treatment.

Your psychologist will also use specific screening tools and questionnaires to better understand the severity of your addiction.

You will also discuss any possible requirement for referrals to a City Addictions recommended specialist GP or psychiatrist, who would be able to provide any necessary detox, medications or health screening.

On your third consultation you’ll be equipped with a report detailing the outcome of your assessment including an initial formulation and recommendation for treatment and goals moving forward. This will be shared, only with your consent, to anyone we refer to, to ensure consistency of care and ensure that we’re all working towards the same treatment plan.

Phase 2: Intensive psychological treatment

This phase of the programme opens with twice weekly meetings with your consultant psychologist over the course of four weeks, a total of eight sessions in all. One session each week is conducted in person and the second session over Skype. These are scheduled towards the start and end of each week to provide the close support you’ll need during this early and very important stage of treatment.

Treatment continues with once weekly face-to-face sessions over the course of twelve weeks. These will generally be held on the same day and time each week. Throughout this phase you will be working with your consultant towards the specific treatment goals agreed during the assessment stage.

At City Addictions our psychologists work primarily within a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) framework. CBT methodology is inherently flexible and can therefore be adapted to your particular addiction and individual needs. The work often includes specific assignments for you to complete between appointments.

Phase 3: Relapse prevention phase

The third and final stage sees a gradual de-escalation of intensity, with the primary focus now on further developing relapse prevention strategies and planning for the future, whilst ensuring that you continue to consolidate the insights and techniques that you developed during the intensive treatment phase.

For the first two months you will meet with your consultant every two weeks. Then, over the next four months this reduces to once every four weeks. Finally, we arrange two check-in sessions for the months ahead, spaced according to your requirements.

For many of our clients this is an exciting time as they start to see, for the first time, what life without an addiction may look like.

Longer term support

Once the programme is completed, some clients may wish to check in from time to time on an ongoing basis. These sessions, either in person or via Skype, can be arranged on an ad-hoc basis and will be billed separately.

Medical and psychiatric referrals

City Addictions works with leading medical and psychiatric authorities in addictions. During your assessment, or at any time during treatment, your consultant psychologist may recommend ancillary consultations which may include:

• Medical health screening with blood analysis
• Psychiatric assessment and medications

Fees and payment