Drink Less Without Feeling Deprived
If you're tired of drinking more than you planned, reaching for that second glass, or pouring a drink out of habit, I'll help you understand why it keeps happening—and how to get to the point where you can take it or leave it.
Does Any Of This Sound Familiar?
You planned to have one drink—but somehow had three
You tell yourself you'll skip tonight, then pour the glass anyway
You wake up thinking, "Why did I do that again?"
You rely on alcohol to unwind after a stressful day
You wonder why this habit feels so hard to change
You're successful in most areas of life—but not with this
If this feels familiar, you’re not alone—and you're in the right place.
Many of the people I work with are successful, capable people who simply feel stuck in a drinking habit they haven't figured out how to change.
And the good news? Habits can change.
What If...
You could stop at one drink—or skip it altogether—without the internal battle
Your evenings felt lighter, more relaxed, and full of real connection
You woke up clear-headed, proud, and ready to start your day
You had real ways to unwind after a long day—without needing a glass of wine
You felt confident and at ease at every dinner, event, or night out
Alcohol simply stopped feeling like such a big deal
The problem isn't that you lack discipline.
It’s that drinking has become an automatic habit.
You don’t need more willpower. You need to understand what's driving the habit.
Most people try to drink less by setting rules, making promises, or relying on discipline. But when drinking has become an automatic response to stress, routine, boredom, or social situations, willpower only gets you so far.
The good news? Habits can be changed.
Who This Is For
This work is often a good fit for people who:
are successful in most areas of life but feel stuck in a drinking pattern that no longer works for them
have tried cutting back before, but the habit keeps returning
don't necessarily want to quit completely
are curious about understanding the psychology behind their drinking
want drinking to feel like less of a mental battle
You don't need to hit "rock bottom" or label yourself for this work to help.
What Clients Say
Real Coaching. Real Change. No Judgment.
I won't tell you how much to drink — that's for you to decide. I focus on addressing root causes, not chasing quick fixes.
AboutHi, I’m Mary Ellen
If you’re tired of waking up saying “never again”—only to pour a glass by dinner—I get it. I’ve been there too.
For years, I told myself I would cut back. And sometimes I did… for a few days, or even a few weeks. But eventually I found myself right back in the same pattern.
Today, drinking is no longer something I feel the need to rely on, and I help others find that same ease. As a certified life and overdrinking coach, I teach people how to drink less (or stop altogether) using science-based mindset tools rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy.
My approach is different—no labels, no judgment, no strict rules—just curiosity, compassion, and proven strategies that actually work in real life.
So drinking can stop feeling like such a big deal.
If this story sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and change is possible.
How my approach is different:
No willpower battles or strict rules
You don’t have to grit your teeth to make changes.
Whole-person coaching, not quick fixes
We address habits, thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.
Zero judgment
You decide what feels right for you.
Skills that apply to every area of life
Strategies you can use beyond drinking.
FAQs
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I help you understand why you drink—not just what or how much you're drinking. Most people focus on controlling the behavior (rules, willpower, tracking). I focus on identifying the thought patterns, emotional triggers, and habits that create the urge to drink in the first place.
When you address the root cause, you don't need constant willpower battles. The change feels natural, not forced.
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Not at all. That's entirely up to you. Some clients choose to stop completely, others learn to moderate. My job is to help you understand WHY you drink and give you tools to make conscious choices—not drink on autopilot.
Some people find it helpful to take a short break from drinking during our work together to see more clearly how alcohol affects their life, but it's never a requirement.
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Therapy focuses on diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions and often looks at past experiences. Coaching is action-oriented and forward-focused—we work on building skills and strategies that work now and in the future.
I help you identify patterns and develop practical tools to change them. If you have underlying mental health concerns related to drinking, therapy may be a better fit.
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That's exactly why you need a different approach. Most attempts fail because they rely on willpower alone, which is exhausting and unsustainable.
Here's the difference: We identify and change the thought patterns that create cravings—so you're not constantly fighting yourself. There's a big difference between not being able to change and not knowing how to change. This program teaches you the how.
This works for anyone willing to show up, do the work, and follow the process.
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This program is for people who have good lives on the outside but feel frustrated or stuck when it comes to drinking. If you want to feel more in control, drink less without strict rules, and understand why you drink the way you do—this is for you.
This is ideal if you:
Question whether your current drinking habits are truly serving you
Want to drink less but find yourself pouring another glass anyway
Are tired of the promise-break cycle and waking up disappointed
Don't have a physical dependence on alcohol but want to change the pattern
This might NOT be right if:
You're experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms or physical dependence (seek medical support first)
You're looking for a quick fix or magic solution
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If you're experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms, have a diagnosed mental health condition, or suspect physical dependence on alcohol, please speak with a qualified healthcare professional first.
My coaching is designed for people who are functioning well in their daily lives but want to change their relationship with alcohol. I focus on thought patterns and behavioral change—not medical or clinical treatment.
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We'll start with a free 45-minute consultation to assess your current situation and drinking goals. If it's a good fit, we'll create a personalized plan focused on:
Identifying your specific thought patterns around drinking
Learning to interrupt cravings in real-time
Building new routines that satisfy what you're actually craving
Creating lasting change without constant internal battles
Take the next stepReady for Real Change?
In this confidential consultation, we'll:
Assess your current situation and drinking goals
Explore the challenges you’ve faced and methods you’ve tried
Identify the very next step you can take
You’ll leave with more clarity and a sense of what’s possible.
No judgment. No pressure. Just honest conversation about your path forward.
This is a free, no-pressure conversation.