Therapy for Substance Use in Oslo, English-Speaking Psychotherapist

Substance use can take different forms, and it doesn't always look the same from the outside. For some people, it becomes part of a daily routine. For others, it's more occasional but feels harder to control or leaves an impact afterwards. And for some, it sits somewhere in between, not clearly a problem, but not feeling entirely comfortable either.

People come to therapy at different points in that experience. Sometimes it's a question of understanding what's happening. Sometimes it's about wanting things to feel different. Substances can play different roles in people's lives. They might make certain situations feel easier, or offer a way of coping in the moment. Over time, that relationship can shift, and what once felt manageable can begin to feel more complicated.

For some people, being in a new environment or navigating change can also influence how this shows up, though this isn't the case for everyone. Shame can often be part of this experience. It can make it harder to talk about openly or to ask for support. Therapy offers a space to explore what your relationship with substances is like, without judgment or pressure, and to begin to understand what might feel different or more manageable going forward.

ABOUT ANDI

I am Andi Kerr Little. I have been working as a psychotherapist in Oslo for ten years.

I am originally from Scotland and moved to Norway, so I know some of the complexity that can come with rebuilding a life somewhere new. The cultural rules are not always visible, and language and belonging can take time to settle. At times, living abroad can leave people feeling slightly out of sync with the world around them, questioning themselves more than they normally would, or feeling pressure to adapt more quickly than feels possible.

My background is in psychology, psychotherapy, and behavioural science, and I work in an integrative way that adapts to the person and what feels most relevant to them. My approach draws from relational psychotherapy, Compassionate Inquiry, and other approaches that support reflection, emotional awareness, and self-understanding.

Therapy can offer space to better understand yourself, your relationships, and the ways you may find yourself responding to stress, uncertainty, or difficult experiences over time.

PhD Candidate (current), UiT The Arctic University of Norway BSc Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London MSc Applied Behaviour Analysis, Newcastle University Integrative Psychotherapy Training, University of South-Eastern Norway Compassionate Inquiry Professional Training Programme

More about my approach

GUIDE

What to Know About Substance Use

Common questions and what is actually true about substance use, addiction, and recovery.

What is the difference between substance use and addiction?

The line is not clinical. Addiction is a pattern where the substance has become central to your life, where the consequences are accumulating, and where stopping feels impossible even when you want to. But many people struggle with substance use without meeting formal diagnostic criteria for addiction. The question that matters more is: is this pattern causing harm in your life? If the answer is yes, then it is worth addressing, regardless of labels.

Why do people use substances to cope, and what is therapy trying to do?

Substances work. They reduce anxiety, numb pain, make social situations easier, or provide a break from emotional overwhelm. The problem is that they stop working over time, and the dependency creates new difficulties. Therapy is not about removing the coping mechanism without replacing it. It is about understanding what the substance is helping you manage, and building other ways to meet those needs.

What is the connection between trauma and substance use?

Trauma and substance use are closely linked. Unprocessed trauma often leaves people with a baseline level of emotional distress that is difficult to tolerate. Substances provide temporary relief. That is why trauma-informed therapy is so important in this work. Addressing the substance without addressing the trauma rarely leads to sustainable change. Both need attention.

Do I need to stop using completely before starting therapy?

No. Therapy is not conditional on abstinence. Some people come to therapy still using and unsure whether they want to stop. That is a valid starting point. What therapy provides is a space to explore the pattern, understand what it costs, and decide what change looks like for you. Change happens at different paces for different people, and the decision is yours.

How does living abroad affect substance use patterns?

Living abroad increases vulnerability in several ways. Isolation, language barriers, and the stress of adapting to a new culture all contribute. Drinking culture in Scandinavia can be intense, and it is often socially embedded in ways that make it difficult to notice when your relationship with alcohol has shifted. For people living abroad, substances can also become a way to manage the disorientation of not quite belonging, or of feeling disconnected from who you used to be.

What does recovery from problematic substance use actually look like?

Recovery is not a single outcome. For some people, it means complete abstinence. For others, it means a changed relationship with the substance, where use is less frequent and less harmful. What matters is that the substance is no longer organizing your life. Recovery also means addressing the underlying issues that the substance was helping you manage. That is the work that makes the change sustainable.

What should I look for in a therapist for substance use?

Look for someone with a non-judgmental approach, clinical training in this area, and an understanding of trauma. Substance use is not a moral issue. It is a pattern of coping that makes sense in context. A good therapist will approach it with curiosity, not judgment, and will help you understand what sits underneath the behaviour. Trust your instincts. If the therapist feels judgmental or prescriptive, find someone else.

REVIEWS

What People Say

From people who came to therapy with concerns about substance use.

I started seeing Andi because my drinking had gone from a way to relax to something that was starting to scare me. She never made me feel like I was failing or weak for struggling with it. We spent a lot of time talking about what was underneath the drinking, and that made all the difference. I still drink sometimes, but the compulsion is gone. I understand why I was doing it, and I have other ways to manage now.

M.T.

Oslo

The fact that Andi understands what it's like to live abroad mattered more than I expected. She got why I was using weed to manage the loneliness and the stress of not quite fitting in here. We didn't just talk about stopping. We talked about what I was trying to cope with, and how isolated I'd been feeling. That honesty opened up space for real change. I'm not perfect, but I'm so much better than I was.

J.L.

Oslo (Zoom)

Working with Andi felt different from other therapy I'd tried. She has this way of not making you feel judged, even when you're talking about things you're ashamed of. I came in thinking I just needed to quit drinking and that would solve everything. What I learned was that the drinking was covering up a lot of old pain I hadn't dealt with. We worked through that, slowly, and now I actually feel like I have a choice. That's what changed.

C.P.

Greater Oslo

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FAQ

Common Questions

I work with people who are thinking about or concerned about their relationship with substances. This can look different for different people, from something that feels clearly difficult, to something that just doesn't feel quite right. You don't need to have a clear label or definition for it to be worth exploring. The focus is on your experience, not on fitting into a particular category.

No. Some people come with a clear idea of what they want to change. Others feel unsure or ambivalent. Both are valid starting points, and it's okay for this to take shape over time. The pace of the work is shaped around you.

No. Therapy can begin wherever you are. There's space to explore what your current relationship with substances is like, without pressure to make immediate changes.

Yes. People come to therapy at many different stages. It doesn't need to be at a crisis point for it to be useful. If something is on your mind or doesn't feel quite right, that's enough to bring into therapy.

For some people, yes. Changes in routine, environment, or support can influence how substance use shows up, though this isn't the case for everyone. If it feels relevant to your situation, we can explore it.

It can vary. For some, it's about reducing use. For others, it's about understanding the pattern more clearly first. What matters is finding a way forward that feels workable for you, at a pace that feels realistic.

It's important that you feel able to talk openly without feeling judged or pressured. Feeling comfortable with the person you're working with is an important part of the process.

Sessions are available in person or via Zoom. Both can be effective, and many people find online sessions easier to fit around their schedule.

Sessions are 50 minutes and cost 1200 NOK in person or 1100 NOK online. Payment is via Vipps or bank transfer. If cost is a concern, we can discuss session frequency.

You can get in touch using the form on this page or by email. If you'd like, we can arrange a 20-minute call to talk through what's going on and whether working together feels like a good fit.

Therapy for substance use