Alcohol Counselling

Qualifications and Accreditations

My name is David Goodlad and if you have a problem with your drinking I can help. I provide effective alcohol counselling. I can help you change. Come and see me to talk through your situation.

If you are having problems or concerns about your son, your daughter or family member or employee drinking, I can help.  I have over 25 years experience in alcohol counselling.  If you want to change your drinking pattern call me. If someone close to you, you are concerned about – a son, a daughter, a family member or employee who has alcohol problems and you don’t know what to do, call me.

I am a senior alcohol counsellor based in Canterbury, Kent.  I help people suffering from alcohol problems. As a counsellor I help people find a way forward.

I can provide a confidential and respectful assessment process.

Call now to book a counselling appointment on 01227 290 098.

Click here to read what David’s clients say about him,

Click here to take our alcohol use questionnaire. 

Contact me for an alcohol assessment, alcohol counselling, the treatment of alcohol problems and alcohol binges. Contact page.

Alcohol Problems

There are two primary questions to ask when considering alcohol problems. These are critical questions.

  1. When you want to stop do you (or they) find you can’t? 
  2. When drinking how much control is there over the amount consumed or the time spent?  

If you answered, ‘no’ to the first question and ‘not much’ or ‘none’ to the second, you need help. We are here to help you work out what is best for you. Call David for a private consultation on 01227 290 098

Most people are surprised that they can’t actually stop drinking and are often relieved to speak about this to an alcohol counsellor. Clients can be frightened of others finding out about their addiction and alcohol problems.

Furthermore, despite these alcohol problems the drinking continues. Consequently, people comment on the drinking behaviour, this can cause the person to get angry or irritated when their drinking is discussed. They get irritated if they are accused of having an addiction, this can then result in the person wanting to completely avoid talking about their drinking.

Contact us here

What alcohol counselling do I provide?

I have been an alcohol counsellor for over 25 years. I provide counselling for alcohol problems, binge drinking and alcohol dependence in a private, confidential and very discrete environment. You won’t have to wait in a waiting room. My practice is not open to the public. There is a free car park for you.

The alcohol counselling is over a course of sessions. Initially I will explore with you what is going on. I will undertake an initial alcohol assessment. Together we look at your total relationship with alcohol. We will consider the possible effects and various options available. You will have a uniquely tailored alcohol counselling programme.

Sometimes, alcohol rehab is the preferred course of action for addiction. In this cases, I have a vast knowledge of what is available and can provide clear information on the choices available and suitable aftercare.

At Canterbury Healthcare we have experts in the alcohol field to support you. We offer all the necessary psychotherapy options with one of the most qualified and experienced alcohol counsellors in the UK.  We now have a new and beautiful setting for our counselling session, ten minutes from Canterbury, Kent.

Call us now if you are looking for a single appointment or a tailored alcohol treatment programme 01227 290 098

What is alcohol counselling?

Our approach might appear simplistic, that is because it needs to be. Confusion, fear and lack of trust usually abound by the time a client comes for help however, it is never too late to change.

Is seeing a therapist for drinking problems for me?

In our alcohol counselling sessions we:

  • Engage with trust and sincerity
  • Examine the problems as presented by the client
  • Look honestly at lifestyle
  • Explore personal history
  • Appraise mental functioning
  • Assess levels of depression
  • Agree where help is needed
  • Consider the required changes
  • Prepare for change
  • Scrutinize the challenges of those changes
  • Measure the effect of the change
  • Support with the maintenance of the change

Psychiatric assessments

If needed, psychiatric assessments are available. Please contact us at the same number for more information.

email: office@davidgoodlad.anewwebdesign.co.uk

Canterbury Healthcare expert, David Goodlad is able to see clients by appointment only and his practice is strictly governed by the BACP and FDAP code of ethics for practice. He also consults to the Priory Clinic, Canterbury.

This is a professional alcohol counselling service from a fully qualified therapist within easy reach of Canterbury, Herne Bay, Dover, Folkestone, Deal, Whitstable, Minster, Sittingbourne, Ashford, Faversham, Whitfield, Sandwich. The office is one minute from Canterbury East Station.

 Empty alcohol bottles indicate alcohol problems

 

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Alcohol Addiction Conference

In September, 2003 David Goodlad represented the UK treatment providers at an international conference arranged to agree a consensus on a core framework for the Minnesota Model of alcohol treatment. Representatives from 27 countries were present including Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, France, Belgium, Eire, USA, UK and Australia.

One of the primary outcomes of the conference was agreement on what is known as, The Five Pillars, which is an attempt at finding a comprehensive effective model to help people with alcohol problems. Below is a shortened version of the approach that we support:

The Five Pillars

  • Addiction is a chronic relapsing but treatable condition.
  • Integrate the 12 Steps (AA-NA etc) into the Group Treatment Program.
  • An interdisciplinary team is involved in the treatment process (this means, medical, psychotherapeutic based cognitive behavioural therapy, social work and spiritual needs).
  • Family members and others important to the patient are involved in the treatment process (family meetings, education, support groups, employers, therapy for family/significant people if needed).
  • Aftercare should be conceived as a continuation of rehabilitation (‘In house’ support groups, AA – NA – Al-Anon support groups, family groups, relapse support groups etc. as needed).

 

The Twelve Steps to Destruction

Man who followed the twelve steps to destruction

In 1949 a man, known as JFD wrote these twelve steps he called, The Twelve Steps to Destruction. They were the steps that he followed in his own life that led him to alcoholism, misery and destruction, ultimately a candidate for alcoholics anonymous. He says,

“In taking my inventory I found that I followed a path to destruction which I have condensed into 12 Steps, assuring anyone in doubt that I became a candidate for AA by thoroughly following this path.”

Take a look at these 12 steps. If you or someone you know is following more than a few of these, it’s time to ask for help. We are here to answer your call.

The twelve steps:

1. I stated that I could hold my liquor and was master of my life.

2. Believed I was sane and rational in every respect.

3. Decided to run my own life and be successful in all my undertakings.

4. Made a thorough and searching inventory of my fellow man and found him lacking.

5. Admitted to no one, including God and myself that there was anything wrong with me.

6. Sought through alcohol to remove my responsibilities and to escape from the realities of life.

7. Got drunk to remove my shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons who had harmed me, whether imaginary or real, then swore to get even.

9. Got even whenever possible, though when I would do so, I would further injure myself.

10. Continued to find fault with the world and the people in it and when I was right, promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through lying, cheating and stealing to improve myself materially at the expense of my fellow man, asking only for the means to get drunk or stay drunk.

12. After having a complete moral and financial breakdown as the result of this kind of living, I tried to drag those who were dear to me down to my level, and practised this reasoning in all my safaris.

April 1949 Grapevine Wilmington, California, J. F. D.

 

For a private consultation with a fully qualified alcohol therapist call 01227 290 098

email office@davidgoodlad.anewwebdesign.co.uk