Sarasota Alcohol Counselor

Understanding Your Alcohol Use: What Most People Don't Realize

Most people don't understand that alcohol problems aren't really about alcohol at all. They're about what alcohol is helping you cope with underneath. If you're drinking to manage anxiety or anxiety, numb past trauma, get through a difficult time, or just feel normal in social situations, you're not weak. You're actually trying to solve real problems, and you’ve found that alcohol provides some relief. Until it doesn’t.  

Maybe you drink every evening to transition from work stress to home life, and it's become your only reliable way to unwind. Perhaps you find yourself having "just one" that inevitably turns into several, leaving you disappointed in yourself again. You might be someone who can go days without drinking,and then unexpectedly, you binge,, wondering why you can't just drink normally like everyone else seems to do.

Whatever your pattern, there's usually something specific that alcohol is helping you manage. Social anxiety that feels paralyzing without a drink to take the edge off. Past trauma that surfaces when things get quiet. Depression that alcohol temporarily numbs. The overwhelming stress of daily responsibilities that feel impossible to handle sober.  This is what trauma-informed recovery looks like in practice.

Professional Alcohol Counseling Approach in Sarasota

My work is deeply personal and grounded in both science and lived experience. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all approaches or pressuring you into treatment models that don't feel right. Instead, I meet you exactly where you are in your relationship with alcohol.

Not sure if you want to quit completely? That's perfectly okay. Skeptical about traditional recovery programs like AA? I get it. Feel conflicted about whether you even have a "real" problem? These are all normal feelings, and we can work with whatever you're experiencing.

Here's what makes this different. Most alcohol problems aren't really about alcohol. It doesn’t matter what you call yourself or if you can’t swallow the labels our culture is so quick to slap on you. But you must answer this question: What do you want your relationship with alcohol to be like? Whether you want to moderate your drinking, take a break from alcohol, or explore abstinence, we'll work together to figure out what makes sense for your life right now. No pressure to commit to anything before you're ready. I've been in recovery for over three decades, so I know what works in theory versus what actually works when you're facing a stressful day, a social situation, or old triggers.

I use proven approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but I deliver them in a way that feels human and accessible. Not clinical or cold.

What to Expect from Alcohol Counseling Sessions

When you first reach out, we'll talk about what you're experiencing and whether this approach feels right for your situation. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a genuine conversation about your relationship with alcohol and what support might look like.

If we decide to move forward, our sessions focus on understanding your unique relationship with alcohol. We'll look at what triggers your drinking, what you're hoping alcohol will do for you, and what's been making it hard to change on your own.

You won't get judgment about your drinking or choices from me. No pressure to commit to complete sobriety before you're ready. No generic advice that doesn't fit your specific situation. And definitely no clinical, detached approach that makes you feel like a diagnosis.

What you will get is honest feedback delivered with genuine care and understanding. Practical strategies that work in real-world situations. Support from someone who's walked this path and knows both the struggles and the possibilities. A steady presence as you figure out what recovery looks like for you.

Success Depends On Choosing The Right Treatment

In the 21st century, there are more ways to get clean and sober than ever before. However, many relapses happen because people picked the wrong type of program.  There are a range of treatment options to fit every need, from community peer-supported groups to long-term intensive inpatient rehabilitation. One of our first tasks will be to construct a treatment strategy that is most likely to lead to success.. The considerations here are the severity of your substance misuse, emotional or physical complications, your support system, time constraints/availability and cost. 

The challenge, best managed by a board-certified addictions professional, is the “Goldilocks” dilemma. Selecting treatment that is too intensive wastes time and money. Picking one that’s not intensive enough sets you up for failure. Selecting treatment on your own would be like picking out your own heart medication. Who does that?

Together, you and I will figure out what makes sense for your situation and schedule.

Alcohol Counselor Serving Sarasota and Surrounding Areas

I work with individuals throughout the greater Sarasota area. People from Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, and surrounding communities. Whether you're a professional dealing with work stress, a parent trying to manage family responsibilities, or someone who's been struggling in pain and silence for years, I understand the unique challenges of seeking help in our area.

Many people initially worry about confidentiality or running into someone they know. These are valid concerns, and we'll address them directly. My practice is designed for discretion, and confidentiality is ironclad. My office affords a safe, private space where you can be entirely honest about your struggles without fear of judgment or exposure.

In addition to the services I offer, I am associated with medical and psychiatric practices in Sarasota, Bradenton, North Port and Lakewood Ranch if those needs arise.

Getting Started with Alcohol Addiction Recovery

Here's the thing about alcohol problems: Like many other medical illnesses, Substance Use Disorders are chronic, progressive, and, if left untreated, fatal.  They don't get better on their own.

Skeptical about the process? Made attempts in the past that failed? Heard scary stories about getting clean? That’s OK. I’ll meet you where you are. You don't have to be ready to stop drinking forever to benefit from working together. You don't need to hit some imaginary "rock bottom." You just need to be curious about what life might look like with better support and clearer strategies.

It's time to reclaim your life. Time to get off the treadmill and get your dreams back. This is not about weird theories or going to meetings for the rest of your life. One thing’s for sure, though: you’ll find yourself having to get outside of your comfort zone, It won’t be easy, but I promise you it will be worth it. This process has worked for countless others – there’s no reason it can’t work for you.