Specialist Addiction Counselling or a General Therapy App: Which Is Right for You?

If you've decided you want to talk to someone, that is already a big step. Then comes the next question, and it can feel surprisingly overwhelming: where do you actually go?

Type "online therapy" into Google and you'll see big subscription apps, huge directories with hundreds of profiles, and smaller specialist services. They can all look similar from the outside. They aren't.

I want to be honest here, because the right choice depends on what is going on for you, and sometimes a specialist service isn't what you need.

What a general therapy app does well

General online therapy apps are built to help a very wide range of people. Stress, low mood, anxiety, relationship worries, work pressure, confidence. They are usually quick to sign up to and easy to use on your phone.

If what you need is someone to talk to about everyday life, and alcohol, drugs, gambling or another behaviour isn't a major part of the picture, a general service may suit you well.

Many of these platforms work on a weekly or monthly subscription. That can be convenient, but it's worth reading the terms carefully so you know what you are committing to and how to cancel.

Where addiction is different

Addiction isn't just another topic on a list. It has its own patterns: cravings, triggers, denial, shame, lapses, withdrawal and the effect on the people around you. It often sits on top of something else, such as trauma, anxiety or grief.

A therapist who works with addiction every week will recognise these patterns quickly. They know the difference between a lapse and a relapse. They know when stopping suddenly could be physically dangerous and medical support is needed. They won't be shocked by what you tell them, and they won't need you to explain what a craving feels like.

A general therapist can be warm, skilled and caring and still have little experience of addiction. That isn't a criticism. It is simply a different specialism, in the same way you'd see a different doctor for your heart than for your skin.

Questions worth asking any service

Wherever you go, these questions can help you decide.

Does the therapist have training and regular experience in addiction, not just an interest in it?

Are they registered with a recognised professional body in the UK?

What does it cost per session, and is there a subscription, membership or minimum commitment?

Can you choose your therapist, and can you change if it doesn't feel right?

What happens if you need more than talking therapy, such as help with detox or a medical assessment?

How is your information kept private?

A good service will be happy to answer all of these clearly.

When a specialist makes more sense

A specialist addiction counsellor is likely to be the better choice if drinking, drugs, gambling or another behaviour feels out of control, if you've tried to stop and keep going back, if it's affecting your relationships, work or health, or if you're a family member trying to support someone who is experiencing addiction.

It also helps if you've already tried general therapy and felt that the addiction itself was never really addressed.

How we do it at Unspool

When we set up Unspool, we wanted to remove the part that stops so many people: scrolling through hundreds of profiles while already feeling low.

So every therapist we work with specialises in addiction and addictive behaviours, and is vetted by our team. You answer a few questions, and we suggest two or three people who fit what you're experiencing, your goals and your availability. You choose who feels right.

Sessions are £68 for 50 minutes, paid one at a time. There's no subscription and no matching fee. If you're not sure where to begin, you can also request a free 10-minute call with me first.

The most important thing

Whichever route you choose, the best therapist is the one you'll actually keep seeing. Someone you trust, who understands what you're dealing with, and who you can be honest with.

If a general app gets you talking, that is a good thing. If you need someone who knows addiction inside out, look for that. Either way, reaching out is the part that matters most.