Courage. Clarity. Confidence.
You don't have to have an alcohol problem for alcohol to be a problem
You're not an every-now-and-then drinker, but you're also not at rock bottom.
You might've even had periods in the past where you've stopped drinking or taken a break, but you've found it difficult to remain stopped.
You're a high achiever – you're still showing up to life, and in all appearances, you're "excelling" – and your drinking probably looks a lot like others in your social circle.
But, deep down, you worry that your drinking is holding you back from realizing your full potential and living the life you genuinely want.
You spend a lot of mental energy wondering about your drinking habits and comparing yourself to others. You've probably had occasions of drinking much more than you'd like and the next day found yourself Googling "Am I an alcoholic?" But the answers you find don't seem to resonate with you.
You may be scared to quit because your friends drink, and you worry you won't be "fun" anymore. Or maybe you've decided to quit but don't know where to start. Or maybe you've tried to quit for some time and found that the problems you once drowned out with alcohol were still there.
You're tired of keeping this to yourself, and you're ready to make a change.
You want to take back control of the life you worked so hard to create. You want to have fun or unwind without waking up the next day full of anxiety and regret. You're ready to hop off the hamster wheel you've been spinning on so you can feel present with your loved ones, confident in yourself, and clear-headed again.
Sobriety counseling can help you develop the resources and gain the confidence needed to break free of this cycle.
My goal is to help you uncover and understand the forces behind your drinking habits, so you can begin moving toward the rich and meaningful life you want, without alcohol in the driver's seat.
Sobriety counseling isn't me telling you: "Just think your way out of drinking," or "Quitting is a piece of cake, and you'll never have the urge to drink again," or "If you just moderate, you'll be fine."
I approach sobriety counseling holistically, addressing the interconnected aspects of mind, body, and spirit. My focus includes nervous system regulation, nutrition, and values exploration. Drawing from evidence-based practices such as Person-Centered Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing, I provide trauma-informed and attachment-based support.
As a strong advocate for Health at Every Size (HAES), Body Acceptance and Neutrality, and Intuitive Eating, I guide you toward nourishing your entire being. The goal? To liberate you from the grip of alcohol, empowering you to reclaim control over your life.
Through sobriety counseling, you will learn that overcoming overwhelm is possible — and that a fulfilling life without alcohol is within your grasp.
Sobriety counseling can help you:
- Better understand the deeper emotional reasons for your drinking.
- Process emotional wounds that contribute to your drinking.
- Learn tools to overcome alcohol cravings.
- Reduce anxiety and improve mood.
- Build a social life that is not centered around alcohol.
- Learn ways to navigate social settings, holidays, and celebrations confidently alcohol-free.
- Reduce sugar cravings some experience when quitting alcohol.
- Improve sleep and energy levels.
During sobriety counseling, we will:
- Build a personalized action plan based on your sobriety goals,
- Check in on progress and take steps to address any speed bumps that come up along the way.
- Explore customized resources to fit you and your life, such as grounding techniques, mindfulness exercises, nutrition tips, and educational tools about the mind-body connection and how alcohol impacts our brains and mental wellness. I'll encourage you to practice the skills you learn in session on your own outside of the session so you can create a new personalized toolkit for beating stress that doesn't involve alcohol.
Are you ready to replace alcohol with joy, purpose, and meaningful connection?
You don't have to continue drinking if you don't want to.
You don't have to wake up another morning feeling bummed about yourself that you drank the night before. There's so much freedom in knowing you don't have to feel that way again.
You can feel clear-headed and more present with your friends, family, and coworkers.
You can feel confident knowing you overcame something you once thought impossible.
It'll take some work and may not always be easy, but you don't have to go it alone. Help is here.
FAQs about sobriety counseling
What should I expect during the free consultation and first meeting?
The free consultation is an opportunity for us to get to know each other a bit, and for me to learn more about why you're seeking support for your drinking now. This also gives us a chance to see if we both feel we'll be a good fit together.
Our first full meeting together will be a 90-minute intake session where we'll dive a bit deeper, exploring the role alcohol is playing in your life and what goals you have for the future. I'll ask more questions about your background, such as family history, cultural background, and medical history, and I'll also ask about your current functioning, like sleep, energy levels, and mood changes. This all helps me get a better picture of who you are, what factors make up your lived experience, and the ways in which alcohol is impacting your life. (Of course, if there is anything you are not comfortable sharing, that is okay, and we will go at your pace.) We will also establish an action plan to help set you up for success in your alcohol-free journey.
How long does sobriety counseling take?
I've found that my clients make the most progress when we meet weekly for the first 3-6 months, and then drop down to biweekly when ready. Meeting weekly during the first few months of sobriety can be critical in creating confidence and maintaining progress. Often, clients who struggle with alcohol use also struggle with other underlying emotional challenges, such as chronic guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, and perfectionism, so holding space for and addressing these experiences is of utmost importance to me. Some clients find ongoing counseling to be an effective tool in their toolkit for navigating life's ups and downs even after they achieve sobriety.
How do I know if sobriety counseling is right for me?
Sobriety counseling is for any person who is NOT chemically dependent on alcohol and would like to reimagine their life alcohol-free. Even if alcohol is not necessarily a "problem" in your life, there are plenty of reasons why someone might want to quit – for example, wanting to prioritize a healthier lifestyle or improving sleep – and sobriety counseling can be helpful with developing new habits and processing your new lifestyle change.
How do I know if I'm chemically dependent on alcohol?
Someone who is unable to stop drinking for short periods of time without experiencing symptoms of withdrawal would be considered chemically dependent. These symptoms of withdrawal may include tremors, nausea and vomiting, sweating, increased heart rate, intense nervousness, insomnia, fatigue, hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens (DTs). People who are chemically dependent often continue drinking to alleviate these symptoms. Working with chemically dependent individuals is not within my scope of practice. If you believe you are chemically dependent and need support, please contact your physician, go to your nearest emergency room, or call the National Helpline for 24/7 treatment referral and information at 1-800-662-4357.
What if I'm not 100% certain I want to quit drinking?
That's ok! It's completely normal to have mixed feelings about making significant changes, especially ones like quitting drinking. Sobriety counseling is a safe space for you to process your reasons for wanting to make a change and any concerns you have. Your well-being is my top priority, and I'm here to support you on your journey.
What if I'm already sober, is sobriety counseling still for me?
Absolutely! Sobriety counseling is a great option no matter how far along you are in your sober journey – it's a place for you to integrate this new part of your identity and establish tools to support your continued sober success.
Your investment
Payment for services is due at the end of each session. I provide in-network mental health care with Premera and LifeWise.
Consultation
Brief meeting to discuss your hopes for sobriety counseling and how I might help.
Intake session
Our first session will focus on history gathering and setting goals.
Weekly session
Ongoing support to help you build a strong foundation for your sober success!
Sliding scale options are available
I offer a limited number of sliding scale slots based on income and other factors. Please contact me to discuss rates and current availability.
Please refer to my terms and conditions for details about my pricing and cancellation policy.
Let's get started...
Now that you're here, the hardest part is behind you. Let's take the next step together.
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today.