The
Bluefield Clinic
Alcohol Recovery
My Vision
"A lot of people are suffering. I want to let people know there may be a better way.”
A lot of people are struggling with alcohol use, often feeling like they’ve run out of options. I want to open the door to a different kind of support—one that combines compassionate counselling, evidence‑based psychotherapy, and appropriate medication support to help people move toward real, lasting change.
Julie-Anne Kenworthy
Clinical Psychologist
Why we drink
Understanding why we drink is an important first step in making change. People often drink for different reasons, including:
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Social: to connect with others or celebrate special occasions
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Enhancement: to feel good or boost a positive mood
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Coping: to manage stress, worries, or negative emotions
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Conformity: to fit in or respond to social pressure
Recognising your drinking motives can help tailor support and strategies that actually work for you, whether your goal is cutting down or stopping altogether.
Therapeutic Approach to Alcohol Use Recovery
My approach to alcohol use treatment is compassionate, evidence-based, and tailored to each individual’s unique circumstances. I integrate a range of proven therapeutic modalities to address both the emotional drivers of drinking and the practical skills needed for lasting change.
Therapeutic Modalities
Where do these therapies fit in the recovery journey
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for alcohol misuse
Effective CBT therapy is the cornerstone of psychological treatment for alcohol issues. It supports clients to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns, manage cravings, improve sleep, and develop healthier coping strategies.
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Key CBT techniques include:
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Functional Analysis: Identifying the triggers.
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Coping Skills Training: Learning how to manage cravings, stress, and refuse drinks.
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Cognitive Restructuring: Challenging negative thoughts that lead to alcohol use.
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Relapse Prevention: Creating a concrete plan for managing slip-ups and preventing them from cascading into relapse.
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Motivational Interviewing (MI)
A collaborative, goal-focused conversation that helps clients explore and resolve their ambivalence about changing drinking habits. MI supports individuals through the stages of change, recognizing that resistance is a normal part of the process using goal-oriented, collaborative conversation designed to strengthen a person’s own motivation and commitment to change.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR – adapted for alcohol dependence)
Helps process emotional triggers, past experiences, and stress responses that contribute to alcohol use, reducing relapse vulnerability.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Builds psychological flexibility, helping clients move towards meaningful life goals rather than being driven by urges or avoidance.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Strengthens emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—key skills in maintaining recovery.
Schema Therapy
Addresses long-standing patterns and beliefs that often underlie addictive behaviours, supporting deep and lasting change.
Clinical Hypnosis
Used therapeutically to enhance motivation, reinforce recovery goals, and support emotional regulation and behavioural change.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Develops awareness of thoughts, emotions, and cravings, enabling clients to respond with choice rather than habit.
Why Treating AUD Requires More Than One Approach
My treatment extends well beyond alcohol‑focused supportive counselling. It targets the underlying drivers of alcohol use and related conditions such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, grief, and relationship difficulties.
Alcohol abuse is a complex condition influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Effective treatment often requires more than a single method. We provide an integrated programme that combines structured psychological therapies with support for medication, working collaboratively with your GP to ensure treatment is safe, appropriate, and tailored to your needs.
Medication Support — In Collaboration With Your GP
Medication plays an important role in reducing cravings, supporting abstinence, or helping manage relapse risk. As clinical psychologists, we do not prescribe medication; however, we work closely with your GP to support appropriate, evidence-based treatment decisions.
GP involvement is an essential component of care, particularly for people with a history of heavy drinking. The monitoring of liver function, mood, blood sugar, and overall physical health is an important part of the recovery journey.
What You Can Expect From Treatment
Treatment is individualised and collaborative. Sessions typically involve:
• An initial assessment of your alcohol use, goals and health considerations;
• Coordination with your GP regarding medication and monitoring (where relevant);
• Ongoing psychotherapy focused on reducing alcohol use and building sustainable coping strategies;
• Regular review of progress and adjustment of the treatment plan as needed.
All sessions are provided via telehealth, allowing you to access treatment from home or work.
Telehealth appointments are Medicare-rebate eligible and designed to be flexible, confidential and clinically effective.
Take the Next Step Toward Change
We welcome the opportunity to discuss how this integrated treatment approach may support your needs and recovery goals.
previously on gp page.....We provide a comprehensive, clinical psychology support program for adults with all levels of alcohol dependence, delivered exclusively via telehealth. Treatment combines supportive counselling with evidence-based psychotherapy adapted for alcohol issues.We distinguish between supportive counselling and clinical psychology modalities. We provide supportive counselling to establish and maintain rapport and motivation. We rely on evidence-based, psychological therapies and techniques to provide the tools and structure to treat triggers and effect long-term behaviour change (eg. trauma related drinking).
Key Therapies & Support
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is considered the gold-standard treatment for people with alcohol issues. It focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that maintain drinking. CBT helps our clients develop coping skills, manage cravings, and prevent relapse.
At The Bluefield Clinic we use CBT as a foundation therapy, integrated with other compatible forms of therapy including EMDR and Schema therapy which have been adapted specifically to treatment problem drinking.
We Help You to Take Control of Your Drinking
Here's How:
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We work with individuals to identify, assess and treat their specific needs, offering therapeutic goals from controlled drinking to abstinence - your choice.
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Our Programme supports personalised, collaborative care with other health professionals, as required.
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We often work with GPs and integrate our services to support prescribed medication.
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In designing your personal plan, we draw upon a wide range of evidence-based assessments and therapies - the main ones are listed below.
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We encourage gradual change, always prioritising compassion, safety and personal choice - with no fixed contracts.
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Our programme is eligible for Medicare rebates and is offered online with Telehealth.
Integrated Therapy
Combining motivational counselling and psychotherapy including CBT, EMDR, and Schema Therapy, with medication support creates a complete program.
Safe Gradual Reduction
Close collaboration with your GP and careful monitoring ensures treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
Engage in Your Recovery
You are an active partner in your recovery journey, with flexible telehealth sessions and personalized support.