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

Stu has recently completed an International Masters degree in social work and human rights from Alice Salomon University in Berlin.

• International Master's of Social Work as Human Rights
• 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