Supporting Families & Friends Affected by
Alcohol & Substance Misuse
Substance use impacts not just individuals, but their loved ones as well.
My mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based support and guidance for families and individuals navigating the challenges of addiction and recovery.
By doing that, I want to help you reclaim hope and restore balance in your life.
My unique approach
Holistic: Understanding and addressing the emotional, psychological and social dynamics at play; a holistic perspective emphasises not just the pain and challenges faced, but also the resilience and strength of the person whose life is impacted by their loved one’s substance use.
Educational: Understanding the complexities around addiction, learning how to set up healthy boundaries and knowing the difference between “helping” and “enabling” will empower families to protect their own wellbeing while still offering support and preventing the cycle of enabling behaviours that can inadvertently sustain addiction.
Communication: Learning effective communication strategies and the importance of self-care, families can create a nurturing environment that encourages recovery, promotes resilience and ultimately strengthens family relationships.
Stress and Anxiety Release with Somatic Practices: Learning somatic strategies like EFT and Breathwork promote emotional regulation and alleviate the distress that families can experience on a daily basis; these practices empower families to process their emotions healthily, enhancing their ability to support their loved one whilst also taking care of their own wellbeing, ultimately creating a more nurturing environment for recovery.
Why choose me?
Specialised Expertise: I have worked in the addiction field for many years, both on the side of the person experiencing the issue and on the side of the family members and friends being impacted by it. I am trained to help you understand the complexities of substance use and its effects on your loved ones and yourself.
Safe and Supportive Environment: I create a nurturing space where you can express your feelings and experiences openly and without judgment. I understand the unique struggles families and their friends face when dealing with substance use issues and the stigma that is unfortunately often attached to them. My goal is to help you feel heard, validated and empowered.
Tailored Approaches: I recognise that each situation is unique. My therapy sessions are customised to meet your specific needs and requirements.
How?
I do all of this using somatic practices such as EFT Tapping & Breathwork.
EFT Tapping is a powerful therapeutic tool for families grappling with the challenges of a loved one’s addiction as it can facilitate all of the factors above.
By releasing deeply rooted feelings of pain, resentment and fear that often arise in such complex situations, EFT Tapping can help family members to think more clearly, feeling (feel) less stressed and more grounded and confident to pave the way for healthier dynamics within the family.
When individuals are not in the fight or flight mode which often happens when dealing with a family member who is in active addiction, they can learn to articulate their feelings, express their needs and concerns more effectively, enhance their communication skills and set boundaries and set and maintaining boundaries.
By addressing the emotional turmoil associated with addiction, EFT empowers families to break the cycle of enabling behaviours, promoting a supportive environment that encourages recovery and resilience.
Ultimately, integrating EFT in my sessions with clients can facilitate a deeper understanding of each member’s experiences, fostering compassion and unity as they navigate the challenges of addiction together.
I will also use and teach you Breathwork and somatic practices during my sessions to create a calm and nurturing environment which will help you to feel grounded and emotionally regulated.