FAQ

Yes, but most of the therapy field doesn’t take it seriously yet. Shopping addiction (clinically called “compulsive buying disorder”) isn’t officially in the DSM-5, which means most therapists haven’t been trained to treat it, and insurance won’t cover it.

That’s not because it isn’t real. It’s because the modern version of shopping addiction (one-click buying, algorithm-fed recommendations, 24/7 mobile access, countdown timers, fake scarcity) didn’t exist when clinical definitions were last updated. The clinical world moves slowly and carefully. Marketing psychology moves fast and recklessly.

Here’s the brutal truth: as a marketer, I know this is a terrible market to work in. People either don’t realize they have a problem yet, or they’re too ashamed to admit it, or they’re already broke and can’t afford help. There are no referrals, no testimonials, no social media shares, because the shame and secrecy keep everyone isolated.

That’s exactly why I do this work. Because if you’re sitting here asking “is this even real, or is there something wrong with me?” – that question itself is the problem. You’re caught in a loop that’s engineered to bypass your conscious control, and the fact that it’s not “officially recognized” just means you’re suffering alone.

Not sure where you stand? Take the shopping addiction quiz. It’ll tell you if you’re Stage 1 (manageable with tips), Stage 2 (pattern forming), Stage 3 (in the zone I can help), or Stage 4-5 (need more comprehensive support).

This works for people who’ve tried deleting shopping apps, setting budgets, using the 24-hour rule, and still find themselves clicking “buy now” at 2am. If you’re caught in the buy-guilt-return loop, hiding purchases from your partner, or watching your savings drain while promising yourself “this is the last time,” you’re in the right place.

Not sure if that’s you? Take the shopping addiction quiz first. It’ll tell you whether you need tips (Stage 1), should try tips then book a call if they fail (Stage 2), or are past willpower tactics and ready for intervention (Stage 3).

Basic Requirements:

• You need to be over 18 years of age
• You must be very fluent in the English language
• You need a clear webcam and microphone (or good phone on a tripod) and be willing to go on camera
• An open mind and a genuine desire for change
• Some private time and space without distractions

This is NOT for:

• Anyone with suicidal thoughts – that’s outside my scope
• Anyone with a known seizure disorder
• If you’re seeing a psychiatrist (rather than a conventional therapist), you must get their approval first

The above is not exhaustive and I reserve the right to refuse any client for any reason.

Your first step is to book a free video chat (20-45 minutes). We’ll talk about your specific pattern: what triggers the urges, what you’ve already tried, and whether my method is a good fit for where you are right now.

If we’re both confident this will work, you sign the agreement, make payment, and book your breakthrough session. Some people prefer to go straight into the full session immediately after the intro chat if they’re ready. That’s fine too.

A session is typically around one hour, but I set aside up to four hours because some patterns take longer to untangle. Most clients find relief in a single breakthrough session. For those with ADHD, OCD, or complex patterns, we may schedule 1-2 follow-ups to build sustainable systems around your breakthrough (no extra charge).

The breakthrough itself can happen anywhere from four minutes into the session to four weeks afterwards. Everyone’s timing is different. It’s an internal process that can’t be forced; we just set it in motion and let your mind do its thing.

If you miss your appointment, you’ll have two chances to reschedule within 28 days.

Perhaps a better question is how much will you save? I find clients either don’t dare look at their numbers, or they know exactly how much they’re wasting: typically between $1,200 to $1,500 USD per month and getting worse. That’s at least $7,200 in just 6 months, and looking ahead over 24 months = $28,800. For some it’s more than twice that.

Our first chat is entirely free, and my approach is to NOT charge per session, any kind of subscription, or based on how much you’re earning or wasting, but a simple, flat fee. The fee can vary over time, but you’ll only pay the rate when you book – currently $997. It’s usually for one breakthrough session (1-4 hours), but it covers up to three sessions, spaced a week or so apart if needed.

Payment is handled via Stripe (a well-known, secure payment processor). You’ll receive a direct link to their site, not mine, for your security.

No, and anyone who guarantees results with psychological work would be lying. What I can guarantee is that I’ll bring decades of knowledge, total focus, and a method that’s worked remarkably well for almost everyone I’ve worked with. ADHD patterns I’ve struggled with (I have ADHD myself, and I understand!) so I’ve developed a more hybrid approach for that.

Shopping addiction isn’t about willpower or discipline. It’s about subconscious loops that fire before you’ve consciously decided or even noticed anything. That’s why budgets and app blockers can’t work by themselves. My method targets those loops directly, but your results ultimately depend on your honesty, your readiness, and factors I can’t control.

If we’re not a good fit, we’ll usually figure that out in the free intro chat.

Yes. It’s very normal and common for clients to be hiding spending habits from their partner or family, so secrecy is almost expected. No shame or judgment here.

All sessions are recorded to my secure local drive (not on Zoom) for quality assurance and mutual protection. These recordings are strictly confidential and will not be shared or used publicly without your explicit written consent. You’re also welcome to record the session yourself for your own reference.

Note however you need a bubble of time and space, where you will not be distracted by children, pets, work calls or such, so you may need to arrange childcare, pet-sitting, etc.

Your billing will simply show the name of my company, A.P.C Online.

No. I’m not a therapist or medical doctor, and this isn’t therapy or medical treatment. I can’t prescribe medication or diagnose mental illness.

What I do have is 20+ years as a marketing consultant, where I spent my career engineering the psychological triggers that create buying urges. Shopping addiction the way we see it now (one-click buying, algorithm-fed feeds, 24/7 mobile access, countdown timers, false scarcity, dopamine-hit notifications that keep you shopping) didn’t exist 20+ years ago when I got into marketing. Things have changed faster than conventional therapy can keep up, because, quite rightly, it needs to move slowly and safely.

My approach is suitable for people who want to catch this early, before they need long-term therapy, or for those who’ve found 6-18 months of CBT helped with emotional regulation but didn’t break the shopping loop itself.

This service is best suited for people who are ready and able to commit, both emotionally and financially. That said, I do read every message in my inbox. Reach out if your situation is unique.

Awesome. That decision was your first step.

There’s a green button below. When you press it, here’s what happens:

• It will open a Typeform to fill in – pretty short and simple, but feel free to write a lot. In fact, the more the better.
• Then it will show you a calendar from Calendly; please wait for that calendar to load! It can take a while. On mobile, you have to tap the blue ‘Schedule’ button to load the calendar.
• Click an available date and time that suits you, and book it.

This first meeting is just a chat, entirely free, without any strings or expectations.