Diverse adults in a supportive alcohol recovery counselling session in Australia

Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: In-Person and Online Support

Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment at The Freedom Room

Therapy for alcohol use disorder can involve individual counselling, practical behavioural strategies, education, peer connection and continuing recovery support. The most appropriate starting point varies: some people want private one-to-one guidance, while others benefit from a structured programme, family involvement or an online option that fits around daily responsibilities.

The Freedom Room provides in-person and online recovery services designed to meet people at different points in their relationship with alcohol. Support is grounded in compassionate, non-judgemental care, with attention to the emotional, practical and relational factors that can shape recovery.

Levels of alcohol use disorder care: outpatient therapy, medically supported withdrawal, residential care and ongoing

Australian alcohol data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare highlights why accessible, individualised support matters.

I’m Rachel Acres, CEO and Founder at The Freedom Room. We bring lived experience and professional support together so that people can explore change with dignity, clarity and connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Therapy for alcohol use disorder can include counselling, behavioural approaches, education and ongoing recovery support.
  • The Freedom Room offers in-person support from its Carseldine location.
  • The 12-Week Recovery Program provides structured support while clients continue living at home.
  • Online options include the 12-Week Online Recovery Program and The Sober Curious Journey.
  • Recovery support can also involve partners, family members and a connected recovery community.

In-Person Support at The Freedom Room

The Freedom Room offers in-person support in Carseldine for people seeking a practical, compassionate response to alcohol-related concerns. Care is tailored to each person’s circumstances, goals and level of support, rather than treating recovery as a single pathway.

One-to-One Addiction Counselling

Confidential addiction counselling provides space to explore drinking patterns, triggers, challenges and recovery goals. Sessions can focus on emotional regulation, relapse-prevention planning and personalised strategies for responding to difficult situations. The Freedom Room’s lived-experience perspective aims to combine professional guidance with genuine understanding.

The 12-Week Recovery Program

The 12-Week Recovery Program is designed for people who want structured recovery support while continuing to live at home and manage everyday responsibilities. It brings together one-to-one sessions, guided recovery work, group connection, workshops, recovery resources and family education.

The programme introduces the 12 Foundations of Freedom, a practical framework for building insight, accountability and sustainable daily habits. Approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and emotional freedom techniques may be incorporated where appropriate, helping clients practise skills for long-term recovery.

Couples and Family Sessions

Alcohol use and recovery can affect partners, family members and other significant relationships. Couples and family sessions offer a supported setting to discuss these effects, strengthen communication and provide education about recovery. Family questions can be addressed where appropriate, with the aim of helping everyone understand how they can participate constructively.

CBT and EFT

Cognitive behavioural therapy helps people notice the links between thoughts, emotions and behaviours, then develop more helpful responses. Emotional freedom techniques can be used alongside counselling to explore the physical and emotional experience of distress. The Freedom Room’s EFT and CBT therapy is presented as part of a broader recovery plan, not as a standalone cure.

Therapist guiding a person through behavioural coping exercises and stress management techniques

Twelve Step Facilitation and the 12 Foundations of Freedom

Twelve Step Facilitation can be one element of The Freedom Room’s approach for people who find it useful. Participation is optional, and secular Twelve Step options can be discussed. The emphasis is on self-awareness, connection, personal responsibility and accountability, which align with the 12 Foundations of Freedom.

Ongoing Recovery and Relapse Prevention

Relapse prevention is part of continuing recovery, not a guarantee of sobriety. It can include identifying high-risk situations, developing coping strategies, creating healthy routines and responding to setbacks with reflection and support. Recovery often involves ongoing learning and adjustment as circumstances change.

Workshops and Group Recovery Meetings

Workshops and group recovery meetings offer opportunities for education, self-compassion, mindfulness and personal growth. The Freedom Room holds three meetings each week, with two face-to-face meetings and one online meeting for clients. These settings can foster connection with others who understand the work of recovery.

Healthcare professional discussing evidence-based medication options with a client in a clinical consultation

The Freedom Room Space

The Carseldine space is intended to feel discreet, welcoming and supportive. Children can attend where needed, and practical arrangements can be discussed when making contact.

Online Support for Alcohol Use Disorder

Online support can suit people who live outside the local area, need flexibility or prefer to begin from home. It can provide structure and connection without requiring a person to step away from work, family or other responsibilities.

Holistic pathway to recovery: physical wellness, psychological therapy, routine building and community connection

The Freedom Room 12-Week Online Recovery Program

The 12-Week Online Recovery Program offers structured recovery support delivered online. It is intended for people who would benefit from guided sessions, recovery resources and a clear framework but cannot attend in person. The online format retains The Freedom Room’s focus on practical skills, education, lived experience and ongoing connection.

The Sober Curious Journey

The Sober Curious Journey is a self-paced online programme for people questioning their relationship with alcohol or considering change. It can be a suitable entry point for those who are not ready for a structured recovery programme but want to understand their drinking habits and explore what change could involve.

Finding the Right Alcohol Recovery Support

There is no universally best entry point. The appropriate option depends on a person’s circumstances, goals, support needs and readiness for change.

  • Want individual support? Consider one-to-one addiction counselling.
  • Want structured recovery support? Explore the 12-Week Recovery Program.
  • Want to involve a partner or family? Ask about couples and family sessions.
  • Prefer online support? Consider the 12-Week Online Recovery Program.
  • Questioning your relationship with alcohol? Start with The Sober Curious Journey.
  • Want ongoing connection? Explore groups and workshops.

The Freedom Room can discuss these options and help people identify a suitable next step.

Take the Next Step With The Freedom Room

There is no single recovery pathway that suits everyone. Whether you are seeking in-person counselling, structured support, family involvement or an online starting point, The Freedom Room can help you explore options that fit your circumstances.

Explore in-person addiction counselling and online recovery support, or contact The Freedom Room to discuss the next step. The team is located at 9a/521 Beams Rd, Carseldine QLD 4034.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of therapy is used for alcohol use disorder?

Support can involve counselling, behavioural approaches, education, recovery planning and peer connection. The approach used depends on the person, their goals and the type of programme they choose.

Can alcohol use disorder be treated with counselling?

Counselling can be an important part of recovery support. It offers a confidential space to explore patterns, triggers, emotions and practical strategies, often alongside education, connection and ongoing recovery planning.

Does The Freedom Room offer online alcohol recovery support?

Yes. The Freedom Room offers the 12-Week Online Recovery Program for structured support and The Sober Curious Journey for self-paced exploration of a person’s relationship with alcohol.

Can I attend alcohol recovery support without going to rehab?

Yes. The Freedom Room’s structured programmes are designed to support people while they continue living at home and managing everyday responsibilities. The right level of support depends on individual circumstances, including any medical needs.

Can my partner or family member be involved in recovery?

Yes. Couples and family sessions can provide education, communication support and a safe setting to discuss how alcohol use and recovery affect important relationships.

What if I am not ready to stop drinking?

It can still be useful to seek support and explore your relationship with alcohol. The Sober Curious Journey may offer a lower-pressure starting point, while counselling can help a person consider risk-minimisation, goals and appropriate next steps without presenting continued drinking as the goal.

How do I know which service is right for me?

A conversation with The Freedom Room can help clarify the available options. Individual counselling, structured programmes, family sessions, groups and online support serve different needs, and the team can discuss what may be suitable.