Can you help me with a shopping addiction?

A Relationships Australia counsellor can help you identify the triggers for your problem and work out strategies to help you deal with them.

If you want to control your urge to shop, what can you do?

• Be honest with yourself about how much you are spending (keep a record).
• Only buy what you can afford.
• Cancel your credit cards and cut them up.
• Break the negative power of secrecy by telling a close friend or loved one about your experiences with and feelings about your shopping addiction, or alternatively, call a telephone counsellor in your area.
• Manage your stress by eating regularly; cutting back on stimulants such as caffeine and/or nicotine.
• Have a friend go with you when you are shopping.
• Arrange a bill-paying service with a bank or credit union.

Relationships Australia provides counselling (including financial counselling) and information to help people with problems such as a shopping addiction that may be affecting their relationships with their families and others.

Depending on the availability of counselling services in your area, you can make a booking during business hours, in the evening or on a Saturday morning. Please be aware that if you wish to attend an evening or Saturday morning session, there will probably be a waiting list as these sessions are the most sought after.

The fees for counselling sessions vary slightly across different states and territories and are either a fixed rate, or else determined on a sliding scale based on gross household income and number of dependents.  We do have a surcharge on most after-hours appointments and weekend times.  For more information on fees, please talk to one of our reception staff.

Contact your nearest Relationships Australia office or call us on 1300 364 277 to connect to the Counselling services in your state or territory.