Contact Simon Adamson
Simon has 25 years’ experience working with clients struggling with addiction and co-existing mental health problems. He has worked in private practice for the past ten years and combines this with an academic role, where he conducts research and teaching on addiction for the University of Otago in Christchurch.
In treating alcohol and drug problems and other addictions, Simon uses a range of techniques depending on the individual. These may involve enhancing motivation, examining the function of the problem behaviour in order to find alternative ways to meet these needs, or changing the circumstances that are supporting the problem behaviour. Simon will also liaise with GPs or psychiatrists when medication may be useful. Once change has been made, learning to avoid relapse can enhance treatment effectiveness. While he operates from a psychological understanding of addiction, Simon is comfortable with supporting people who wish to engage with the 12-step model (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous).
Main Areas of interest Include:
- Alcohol and drug addiction
- Less severe alcohol and drug misuse
- Behavioural addictions (including gambling, internet and pornography addiction
Simon works with adults, using a mix of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural and mindfulness approaches.
Simon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Medicine and Director of the National Addiction Centre. He is also a member of the National Committee for Addiction Treatment (NCAT) and is the addiction specialist on the clinical governance committee of the National Telehealth Service. Assoc Prof Adamson has produced over sixty peer-reviewed publications in the area of addiction assessment and treatment.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board in the Clinical Scope of Practice
- PhD (University of Otago)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (University of Canterbury)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology Applied to Criminal Justice (University of Canterbury)
- MSc (Distinction) (University of Canterbury)
- BSc Hons (First Class) (University of Canterbury)
- Member, New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists (MNZCCP)
- Member, Addiction Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand (DAPAANZ)
- Member, Society for the Study of Addiction
- Member, Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Drugs (APSAD)
Contact Details
Phone: 03 365 6312
Fax: 03 365 6311
Email: simon.adamson@bealeycentre.net.nz
My clinic days are Mondays and Thursdays 9am to 6pm, but I can usually respond to enquiries outside of these days.
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