Addiction Support · Earlwood, Inner West

Psychologist for Addiction Support in Earlwood, Inner West Sydney

Confidential, non-judgmental addiction support using motivational interviewing and relapse prevention. Supporting people in the Inner West navigating substance use and addictive behaviours.

Book Addiction Session Ask Tim a Question

Why Choose This Practice

Motivational interviewing approach
Dual diagnosis expertise
Evening sessions for discretion
Medicare rebate $76.15 per session

Getting Here

10 Keith Street, Earlwood NSW 2206. Free street parking on Keith Street and surrounding roads. Bus routes 423 and 426 stop nearby on Homer Street.

Earlwood Hours

Monday & Tuesday: 10am – 8pm
Wednesday: 10am – 2:30pm
Evening appointments available Mon & Tue — ideal for discreet, after-work sessions.

Earlwood Fees

Medicare rebate: $76.15
Private: $175
Out of pocket: $98.85
60-minute sessions. GP Mental Health Plan required for Medicare.

When Coping Becomes a Problem

Addiction rarely starts with a dramatic moment. Most people I see at my Earlwood practice describe a gradual slide — the Friday night drinks that became every night, the occasional punt that turned into hours on betting apps, the joint to unwind that became the only way to fall asleep. By the time you notice the pattern, it's already woven into your daily life.

In the Inner West, pub culture and social drinking are deeply embedded in community life. That makes it harder to see when things have crossed a line. The same goes for cannabis use, which many people in the area see as harmless — until it's affecting their motivation, their memory, or their relationships. And with sports betting now available on every phone, gambling problems are showing up in people who never set foot in a TAB.

There's no judgement here. Substance use and addictive behaviours often develop alongside anxiety, depression, or trauma — it's rarely as simple as "just stop." Understanding what drives the behaviour is the first step toward changing it.

You might recognise these patterns:

Needing more to get the same effect — tolerance building over time
Making promises to cut back but finding you can't stick to them
Using substances to manage stress, anxiety, or low mood
Relationships suffering because of your drinking, drug use, or gambling
Hiding how much you're using from the people closest to you
Feeling anxious or irritable when you can't access your substance of choice

Tim Carey – Registered Psychologist providing addiction support at Earlwood, Inner West Sydney

Meet Tim Carey, Your Earlwood Psychologist for Addiction Support

I'm Tim Carey, a registered psychologist who has spent over 20 years working with people navigating addiction and substance dependence. From my Earlwood practice at 10 Keith Street, I work with clients from across the Inner West — Earlwood, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Canterbury, and beyond — who are ready to make a change but aren't sure where to start.

I specialise in dual diagnosis — when addiction coexists with anxiety, depression, or trauma. Treating one without the other rarely works, and I've seen too many people cycle through programs that only address the surface behaviour. My approach tackles the underlying drivers using CBT, ACT, and motivational interviewing.

I offer evening appointments on Mondays and Tuesdays until 8pm, making it possible to attend sessions after work without anyone knowing. Free street parking is available nearby, and the practice is located in a quiet residential street — no waiting room full of familiar faces.

AHPRA Registered Dual Diagnosis Specialist Medicare Provider 20+ Years Experience

Recovery Is Possible — Let's Start the Conversation

Reaching out for help with addiction takes courage. You don't need to hit rock bottom to deserve support. Whether you're questioning your drinking, struggling with substance use, or watching a habit spiral — booking a session is the bravest thing you can do today.

Book an Addiction Session Ask Tim a Question

Medicare rebates available with a GP Mental Health Care Plan · Confidential evening appointments Mon & Tue

How I Work With Addiction at Earlwood

Recovery isn't one-size-fits-all. My approach is practical, flexible, and built around what actually works for your life — not a textbook ideal. Here's what treatment looks like.

Motivational Interviewing

Change has to come from you — but that doesn't mean you have to figure it out alone. Motivational Interviewing helps you explore your own reasons for change at your own pace, without pressure or lectures. We work through ambivalence together until you find your footing.

Relapse Prevention Planning

Relapse isn't failure — it's information. Together we identify your specific triggers, high-risk situations, and early warning signs, then build practical strategies to navigate them. The goal is a concrete, personalised plan you can rely on when things get tough.

Harm Reduction

Not everyone is ready for full abstinence — and that's okay. Harm reduction is a pragmatic, evidence-based approach that focuses on reducing the damage substance use is causing in your life right now, while keeping the door open for further change when you're ready.

Dual Diagnosis Support

Addiction rarely exists on its own. Many of my clients are also dealing with anxiety, depression, or unresolved trauma. I treat both conditions together — because addressing one without the other usually means neither gets properly resolved.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

CBT helps you identify and change the thought patterns that drive substance use — the "just one won't hurt" thinking, the permission-giving beliefs, the automatic responses to stress. We replace those patterns with healthier coping strategies that actually work.

Between-Session Accountability

Each week we set achievable goals together and track your progress. These aren't unrealistic demands — they're carefully chosen steps that build momentum and prove to you that change is happening. This is where recovery gains real traction.

Substance Use & Behavioural Issues I Treat at Earlwood

Alcohol Dependence

From problematic drinking to full dependence — whether it's the nightly bottle of wine that became two, or the binge drinking that's getting worse. I provide tailored recovery support that fits your situation, your goals, and your pace.

Drug Use

Cannabis, stimulants, prescription medication misuse — each substance has its own patterns and challenges. Whether you're using daily or it's starting to escalate, I help you understand the cycle and find a sustainable way forward.

Gambling

Sports betting, poker machines, online gambling — the accessibility of modern gambling makes it harder than ever to stop. I work with you to break the cycle, manage urges, and rebuild the financial and emotional damage gambling causes.

Dual Diagnosis

When addiction coexists with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health conditions, treating them in isolation doesn't work. I provide integrated support that addresses both sides — because lasting recovery depends on understanding the full picture.

Other Services at My Earlwood Practice

Addiction often overlaps with other conditions. I provide integrated support across these areas at Earlwood.