Supporting Families & Friends Affected by
Alcohol and Substance Use
Online Support for UK & International Clients

Supporting Families & Friends Affected by Alcohol and


Substance Use

Online Support for UK & International Clients




I recognise the emotional toll that a loved one’s alcohol or drug problem can take on family members and their friends

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.

Testimonials

My sessions  with Ilaria have been truly life changing. I was a wreck when I approached her. I was confused, I was hurting, I was in fight/flight mode most of the time, I  was “reacting” instead of “acting”. I saw her for approximately one year and I am so glad I reached out to her. She was there at every step of the way, she cared, she encouraged me and I always felt “held” my her. I can say in all honesty that I could have never learnt to manage my emotions and dealing with my daughter the way I have if it had not been for the support received from her. Thank you!

Sophie F., UK

Before starting to work with Ilaria, I felt at a loss, completely. I wanted to help my son, but I felt I had no direction. I remember having thoughts going around my head in a loop and didn’t know what to do, but every session provided me with new tools, strategies and ideas to then take forward and use. Ilaria’s support made me feel like I could take back control of my life and gave me a direction. Those sessions have been a lifeline for me at a time when I didn’t have anyone to talk through my emotions or what was happening. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have someone objective  who is not involved in my family dynamics, to be able to do that. With Ilaria I got my own safe space to process all of that, and for that, I will always be grateful.

Alison L., UK

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.

If alcohol has become a problem for you, whatever your drinking level, I believe that your habit or compulsion is only the external symptom of a more deep-seated issue or issue; it is a solution to a problem that was already there.

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 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.

If alcohol has become a problem for you, whatever your drinking level, I believe that your habit or compulsion is only the external symptom of a more deep-seated issue or issue; it is a solution to a problem that was already there.

How?

I do all of this using EFT Tapping and other somatic practices such as 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.

FEES: Please send me a direct enquiry at soberrebeleft@gmail.com or book a consultation call with me

I am excited to help you and it would be my honour to be a part of your journey

Why I am passionate about helping you

I am a Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Coach, and I have extensive experience in supporting people with varied mental health issues, such as anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD and traumas.

What brought me here is a long journey which has seen me struggling with depression, compulsive eating disorder and alcohol abuse and has then seen me coming to the other side as a more robust and better person. Finally, deciding to get to the root of my discomfort made all the difference, and that’s what led me to a journey of self-discovery and healing, which I could not have experienced without EFT.

As an adolescent, I suffered from a lack of self-confidence and self-worth. Being a compassionate human (which I only discovered years later) meant I used to feel everything too much. I remember thinking at some stage that I felt like I had no skin and that everyone could hurt me however they wanted, either on purpose or with carelessness and lack of consideration. I became an excellent people pleaser.

There is nothing better to avoid pain than trying to be what other people want you to be. At the same time, I started to find comfort in food. That made me feel “better” for a while; then I found alcohol, the most easily accessible and socially accepted anaesthetic, potion for all problems, and the new “me” was born.

Pushing the pain down always forces it back to the surface, like trying to hold a balloon underwater.

When I started to look at my coping mechanisms, I managed to identify where my discomfort stemmed from, and it took me a few years to get to where I am now. I tried different therapies, and I gained something from all of them, but EFT is the one that made the most significant difference in my life because it allowed me to go deeper quickly. Now, I feel more connected with myself than I have ever felt.

What gives me incredible joy is the honour of working with other people on their journeys. Everyone is different, but we have something in common. We all need some help at some stage in our lives, and being even a tiny part of someone’s journey gives me the energy to wake up with a smile and hope in my heart.

I support gender diversity and welcome members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

I am a fully insured and certified Professional Development Coach, an Advanced Level Certified Practitioner, and a Matrix Reimprinting and NLP Practitioner.

I am an Advanced Accredited Practitioner with EFT International, the leading international professional association for EFT. As a result, I engage in annual Continuous Personal Development training courses and regularly undergo mentoring and supervision.