Carer Addiction Support Session
Addiction is a pattern of using a substance or behaviour to cope, escape, or feel better—despite the harm it may cause. It can affect the brain, body, emotions, and overall wellbeing and impacts our ability to care for ourselves and others. Addiction isn’t just about drugs or alcohol. It can also show up as behaviours like gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping, gaming, or excessive use of social media.
These actions may start as a way to manage stress, pain, or trauma, but over time, they can become difficult to control. Addiction is not a sign of weakness—it’s a signal that something deeper needs care and healing.
Service Overview
It's common for carers to develop unhealthy coping strategies, such as addictive behaviours, as a way to manage the ongoing demands and stresses of caregiving responsibilities.
This specialised 60-minute consultation service provides professional support for parents and carers of individuals with disabilities who are concerned about their own addictive behaviours. The session offers a structured yet compassionate approach to understanding addiction challenges in the context of disability care, resulting in a personalised action plan for moving forward.
A FREE 30 minute follow up consultation is offered to all clients.
Session Structure
Initial Assessment
During the first half of our session, we'll conduct a comprehensive assessment covering:
- Family Dynamics: Understanding the unique relationship between the person living with a disability and their support network
- Addiction Context: Exploring the specific addictive behaviours, their history, triggers, and patterns
- Caregiving Considerations: Assessing how caring responsibilities and their associated stressors may contribute to or exacerbate addictive behaviours
- Current Coping Strategies: Evaluating what interventions have been attempted and their effectiveness
- Available Resources: Identifying existing support systems and resources that can be leveraged
- Caregiver Wellbeing: Assessing the impact on the parent/carer's physical and emotional health
Action Plan Development
The second half of our session focuses on creating a tailored action plan that includes:
- Short-term Strategies: Immediate interventions to address urgent concerns
- Long-term Approaches: Sustainable practices for ongoing management and recovery
- Resource Connections: Referrals to specialised services, support groups, and community resources
- Communication Techniques: Effective ways to discuss addiction with your support system
- Boundary Setting: Establishing healthy boundaries while maintaining supportive relationships
- Self-care Practices: Strategies for caregivers to maintain their own wellbeing
- Progress Monitoring: Methods to track changes and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
What Makes This Service Unique
- Caregiver-Centred Approach: Recommendations that acknowledge and accommodate the specific needs and challenges associated with the caregiving role
- Family Systems Perspective: Recognition that addiction affects and is affected by the entire family system
- Strengths-Based Focus: Identifying and building upon existing strengths and resources
- Practical Solutions: Realistic strategies that can be implemented within the constraints of caregiving responsibilities
- Trauma-Sensitive Care: Understanding the potential trauma experienced by both the person with disability and their carers
- Ongoing Support Options: Information about follow-up services and continuing care opportunities
Expected Outcomes
After completing this consultation, parents and carers can expect to:
- Gain deeper insights into the complex relationship between stress and addiction
- Feel empowered with practical, tailored strategies to address addiction concerns
- Have a clear written plan with actionable steps for moving forward
- Be connected to appropriate resources and support networks
- Experience reduced feelings of isolation, guilt, or helplessness
- Develop increased confidence in their ability to support their loved one
Booking Information
This consultation is available via secure video conference, or by telephone, ensuring accessibility regardless of location or circumstances. A brief intake form will be provided before the session to maximise our time together.
All consultations are conducted in a confidential, non-judgmental environment by a qualified professional with expertise in both disability support and addiction recovery.
Crisis Support Session for Special Needs Mums
Who This is For
This urgent support session is specifically designed for mothers of children with special needs who are experiencing overwhelming stress, burnout, or crisis moments. If you're feeling like you're drowning, completely depleted, or at breaking point—this is your lifeline. You might be dealing with:
- Constant caregiving demands that never let up
- Feeling isolated and misunderstood by others who don't "get it"
- Overwhelm from navigating medical appointments, therapies, and support systems
- Grief over lost expectations or dreams for your child or family
- Guilt about feeling resentful or exhausted
- Physical and emotional exhaustion that feels endless
- Crisis moments where you don't know how you'll get through another day
You don't need to have it all together—in fact, this session is for when things feel completely fallen apart. You just need the courage to reach out.
What You'll Come Away With
After our intensive crisis support session, you will have:
- Immediate relief strategies for managing acute stress and overwhelm in the moment
- A safety plan for crisis moments—practical steps you can take when everything feels too much
- Emergency self-care toolkit with quick, accessible techniques you can use even with limited time or energy
- Identification of your most critical support needs right now
- Prioritised action steps that focus on what's most urgent for your wellbeing
- Connection to specialised resources for special needs families, including crisis support services
- Validation and understanding from someone who recognizes the unique challenges you face
- A concrete plan for the next 24-48 hours to help you feel more stable
How to Prepare
You don't need to prepare anything—just bring yourself and your struggles. However, if you're able, it might help to have nearby:
- A glass of water and tissues
- Your phone with important contacts
- Any medications you might need
- A trusted person who could provide immediate support if needed
If you're in immediate danger or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact:
- Emergency services (000)
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
What to Expect
This is a compassionate, non-judgmental crisis intervention session where we focus entirely on getting you the support you need right now. Over our 60 - 90 minute session, we'll work together to:
Address immediate concerns:
- How you're coping with the intensity of special needs parenting
- What's pushing you to your absolute limit right now
- Any thoughts of self-harm or feeling like you can't continue (we'll connect you with appropriate crisis resources if needed)
Explore what's overwhelming you most:
- The specific challenges with your child's needs that feel unmanageable
- Caregiver burnout and chronic stress symptoms you're experiencing
- Isolation and loneliness that comes with this unique parenting journey
- Financial stress from medical costs, therapies, or lost income
- Relationship strain with partners, family, or friends who don't understand
- Anticipatory grief about your child's future or your family's path
Create immediate stability:
- Crisis coping strategies you can use when feeling overwhelmed
- Boundaries you can set right now to protect your energy
- Micro self-care practices that fit into your demanding schedule
- Support network activation—who can help you today, this week, this month
- Professional resources specific to special needs families in crisis
This session recognizes that special needs parenting often involves chronic crisis management rather than typical parenting challenges. There's no judgment here—only understanding and practical support.
Crisis Resources for Special Needs Families
We'll discuss these and other resources during our session:
- Carers Gateway: 1800 422 737 - immediate support for carers
- NDIS Crisis Support - for families with NDIS participants
- Respite services - emergency and planned respite options
- Special needs family support groups - both online and local
- Mental health services with special needs family experience
Next Steps
You don't have to do this alone. Special needs parenting requires a village, and we're here to help you build that support network urgently. This crisis session is about getting you stable and connected to ongoing support.
Booking Information
This crisis support session is available:
- Same-day bookings available for urgent situations
- After-hours appointments when traditional services aren't available
Remember: Reaching out for help is not failing. It's the strongest thing you can do for both yourself and your child.
