Alcohol counselling

I generally offer counselling as part of one of my detox programmes. I've found that offering counselling sessions outside a structured programme isn't as effective. This page explains what's involved.

My Approach

The Past

There are many reasons why people drink, so it's always useful to have a look at how you got to where you are today. It may be just that you enjoy alcohol, and that it's gradually crept up on you over many years. It might be one major life event that kick-started your drinking. Or it may be any number of other things, either simple or complex, normal or extraordinary. There's no need to dwell on the past too much, just to use it to understand what's going on.

The Present

Because from many years of helping people who have problems with alcohol, I've learned that the most positive approach is to focus on what you can change – the present and the future.

Once we know a bit more about why you are drinking we can begin to build a recovery programme that suits you and your circumstances. I can tell you what has works well and what doesn't, and we can discuss a variety of practical and psychological techniques and strategies that will give you the best chance of success.

The Future

Once you've managed to stop drinking, then I aim to build your confidence in your new alcohol-free lifestyle, so that you feel safe from relapse and can identify your strengths and use them to your advantage.

We also look at the thoughts and feelings that trigger drinking and identify high risk situations and how to avoid them. Should you relapse we can discuss the reasons behind it and how to avoid it happening again.

Where and How

Regular counselling sessions in your home or in my Exeter consulting clinic are usually only feasible for clients in the South West.

However, I am increasingly offering sessions via Telephone and Skype, which work well - and which are feasible from anywhere in the world. These are backed up by ad hoc contact via email and text.