BEYOND addiction

I am a clinical psychotherapist and counsellor and I have the added experience of being a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. I am able to look at the addict’s challenges through their world lens – because I have been there.

In 2003 I spent 28 days in intensive treatment at the Phoenix Unit at Manly for addiction to alcohol and drugs including anti-depressants.
Following this, I went into long-term treatment where I stayed for 10 months until October 2003. Since then I have maintained a sober
recovery not only from drugs but also secondary addiction to a love addiction and workaholism.

At the time I entered rehab I was a high school teacher but after this experience, I completed a Graduate Diploma in Counselling at the
Australian College of Applied Psychology specializing in Addiction, Self-esteem, and Group Work. I then completed a four-year Masters
qualification in Gestalt Psychotherapy at the “Sydney Gestalt Institute” and “Gestalt Therapy Sydney.” At that time I also worked as a Community Support Worker and Group Facilitator at The WHOS Therapeutic Community for men (Gunyah) for 6 years as well as working for two years as a Crisis Counsellor and Group Therapist at South Pacific Private Hospital in Sydney.

In 2008 I started my own private practice with a focus on addictions in Sydney. I moved to Melbourne in 2013 and worked in several
drug treatment facilities and continued my private practice there for four years. from 2017 to 2020 I was the program director of R12 at the cabin in Thailand which was an LGBTIQ-specific treatment facility. And during the pandemic I took on the Manager role of the Windana
therapeutic community in Ballarat/Melbourne.

I have through my own experience become able to see which model of therapy will suit a particular individual – Harm Reduction or Abstinence and I have the skill set that enables me to get the addict to determine where they are in terms of their readiness for treatment. Because of my background I am totally familiar with the arguments the alcoholic or addict will make as to why they cannot get clean or sober and I am often able to work with them patiently through their layers of denial until they choose willingly to surrender to the avenue of treatment that is going to help the most.

I have worked with the Lakescope Team of Interventionists and I am also now A therapist supervisor to therapists who are beginning out
in their careers specifically in the areas of LGBTIQA issues, Chemsex, and Addiction and Alcoholism.

STUDIES

And In 2022 I will begin a two-year Masters in Social Work at Alice Solomon University in Berlin.

• Supervision Certificate 2022 - Melbourne
• Certificate in sex addiction counselling 2018 ITTAP - Cantidate
• Cert. in Group Psychotherapy – Leadership and Facilitation – The Australian Institute of Counselling Addictions, 2013
• Masters in Gestalt Therapy at ‘Gestalt Therapy Sydney.’  Final Year 2012
• Certificate of Gestalt Counselling – Sydney Gestalt Institute 2010
• Certificate IV in Mental Health – 2010
• Family Constellation Training – Maria Dolenc - 2010
• Graduate Diploma in Counselling – Australian College of Applied Psychology, 2008
• Diploma of Education U.N.S.W, 2001
• Bachelor of Arts UNSW, 2000 – Majoring in Theatre, Film, and English Literature
• Current First Aid Certificate -The Australian Red Cross

OTHER COURSES:

MARAM TRAINING - Family Violence.
• (PIT) Developmental Immaturity Training – Pia Melody &
Sarah Bridge. Phoenix, Arizona 2015
• Developing your Presence as a Group Leader – CCWT
Sydney
• Suicide Assist – Applied Suicide Intervention Skills
Trainer
• Keeping Current in Child Protection – CCWT
• South Pacific Private – Therapeutic Fundamentals – 2008
• South Pacific Private – Integration of Therapeutic
Fundamentals – 2008
• Certificate in Fitness Instruction -Fitness Institute
Australia – 2009
• UNION MEMBER:
• Intern Member CAPA – The Counsellors and
Psychotherpists Association of N.S.W.
• Membership Number 38908
•
• APPEARANCES: •
• Ausmed Education Conference: Breaking Point: Ice
and Methamphetamine Use.  For Nurses & Other Health
Professionals - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth,
Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, New, Creswick 2015 -2018
•
• Guest Speaker at the Ballarat & District Law
Association “The Ballarat Hypothetical – An ethical
discussion on ICE.” 21/10/15
•
ICAAD Paris 2019 Key Note Speaker on the topic - The
Courageous Community: From Stigma to Identity and From Pain to
Hope. Speaking on behalf of R12 and The Cabin Group - Thailand.
ICAAD Stockholm 2019 - Discussions on Aftercare. Speaker on
different types of - and benefits of aftercare.
Gay & Sober Conference, New York, July, 2022.
(2 presentations.)
1.) Co-presenting with Sterling Walker on Dating & Relationships:
 “How to Survive a Break Up.”
2.) The Sex Panel Discussion - With David Fawcett - Author of “Lust
Men and Meth.”
• APPOINTMENTS:
Stu is currently in Berlin, Germany studying an International
Masters in Social Work and continues to see clients via Zoom.
• Stu is offering one hour Zoom sessions and phone call
information sessions to support individuals and families
experiencing addiction challenges and needing rehab direction
and information in Australia.
• This includes referral to reputable drug and alcohol
professionals in Australia - especially in Sydney, Melbourne
and Adelaide areas.
•
If you want to know more feel free to call Stu on:
• Whatsapp +66645757627
• stu@beyondaddiction.net.au