Special offers for NHS practitioners
Private sobriety coaching for nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals
Karen Cairnduff, RN
Sobriety Life Coach
For grey area drinkers
Working in healthcare is becoming even harder to cope with, and many professionals are finding they drink more regularly.
While alcohol initially provides some relief, it starts to take more than it gives. Small shifts like poor sleep, hangxiety and low energy means that drinking is probably starting to cause more stress than it is relieving.
Maybe you've reached a stage where alcohol is no longer providing the same kind of relaxation it once did.
Your drinking no longer feels comfortable, you feel an increased reliance on that wind-down drink, even though you know it's affecting your physical and mental wellbeing.
Often, as high achieving professionals our relationship with alcohol sits in a grey space.
Grey area drinking is not problematic enough to diagnose or require a recovery programme, but enough to create a feeling of misalignment.
A lack of clarity, feeling stuck or a sense of not being where you want to be.
When drinking habits shift into the grey area, we realise that alcohol is no longer working for us, but find that moderation is not as easy as it sounds.
Day one is the day when you know something needs to change.
As an accredited sober life coach, I support professionals to explore how they respond to emotions, understand why they drink, and work with them to realign thoughts and behaviours about alcohol with what they value and how they want to feel.
My work is aligned with the professional values of confidentiality, respect and compassion.
Why am I drinking too much?
Rest and self-care can easily be neglected when prioritising clinical work, responsibilities and caring for others. A drink after work is a quick way to relax, to take the edge off, to disconnect from the stresses of emotionally difficult and physically demanding shifts.
With 30+ years experience as a registered nurse working in the NHS and teaching our future nurses, I understand the challenges of working in healthcare. Commitment to a professional career can affect work-life balance and unhealthy relationships with alcohol can become part of this path.
Over time, drinking can become a normalised wind-down ritual. This may lead to needing more than just one glass as our nervous sytem starts to adapt to regular drinking.
In our culture, drinking too much is interwoven into our lives, be it socialising, celebrating, coping, or numbing. It is considered an acceptable way to escape and find relaxation.
For people working in highly challenging professions, drinking can also be relied upon to manage feelings, emotions or ‘self medicate’ and this reliance can be interrelated with:
Stress
Burnout
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Grief
You don't need me to tell you that alcohol does not help solve these problems in the long term. Like you, I know the research, I've seen the evidence in practice, and I have the knowledge and understanding from my own personal journey.
I have used these insights and further training to create the Day 1 coaching programme which supports healthcare professionals to understand why they drink and learn how they can stop.
Change your drinking today
What happens next?
- Book an initial conversation
- We talk confidentially online
- No pressure or labels
- Decide whether ongoing support feels right for you
I offer one to one coaching as individual sessions, or a six-week package to help you successfully take a break from drinking.
This won't be about restriction, counting down or missing out. Instead we will focus on understanding your patterns and learning how to respond differently to fatigue, emotions, triggers and stress.
We will work on improving your sleep, nutrition and confidence while you try out at least 30 days of sobriety.
With my approach you will begin to rely less on drinking, and rediscover how good your body and mind can feel. This creates emotional space for us to explore why you drink and change how you think about alcohol.
The physical and mental health benefits of stopping drinking are significant after 6 weeks without alcohol, and will be the foundation for you finding the clarity, energy and alignment that you‘ve felt is missing.
The Calm Clarity 1 hour session
A confidential one-off session
The Calm Clarity Session is designed for professionals who may not feel ready to commit to a full coaching programme but would value a dedicated space to pause, reflect and explore their relationship with alcohol in a calm and supportive environment.
What the calm clarity session may include (personalised)
- Stress, burnout and emotional overload
- Drinking patterns and triggers
- Grey area drinking and moderation
- Coping habits within healthcare culture
- Sleep, anxiety and nervous system fatigue
- Practical strategies for creating change
- Breathwork and mindfulness techniques for calm and regulation
You will leave the session with greater understanding, practical tools and a clearer sense of direction.
For some people, this session is enough to begin making meaningful changes independently.
For others, it provides a valuable first step before deciding whether longer term support would be beneficial.
£95
Private - Online - 60-minutes
The Shift Programme
A structured 6 week sobriety programme.
The Shift is a confidential coaching programme designed for professionals who want to explore a calmer, clearer relationship with alcohol.
The focus is on understanding your patterns, reducing overwhelm and improving wellbeing using evidence informed coaching, mindfulness, nervous system regulation and practical behaviour change strategies.
For many people, six weeks is long enough to notice significant improvements in sleep, energy, mood, stress levels, focus, confidence and emotional regulation.
It also creates the space needed to make informed long term decisions about alcohol without pressure or labels.
What The Shift includes
- Weekly 1:1 confidential coaching sessions
- Personalised support tailored to your lifestyle and goals
- Guided mindfulness and breathing techniques
- Support with cravings, stress and emotional triggers
- Reflective exercises and practical tools between sessions
- Science based education around alcohol, stress, sleep and habits
- A calm and compassionate approach grounded in healthcare understanding
£495
Private - Online - 60-minutes weekly
The Realign sessions
Ongoing support
The transition into early sobriety can bring significant positive change, but it can also feel unfamiliar at times.
Many people find that ongoing support helps them navigate the “firsts” of alcohol free living with greater confidence, balance and self awareness.
The Realign session is available for clients who have completed The Day 1 Shift programme and value continued professional support as they move forward.
Together we may explore:
- Maintaining motivation and balance
- Managing stress and emotional triggers
- Navigating social situations and workplace culture
- Rebuilding routines and self care practices
- Mindfulness, breathwork and nervous system regulation
- Key milestones and “firsts” throughout the first year alcohol free
Sessions are personalised and responsive to your needs at the time.
£75
Private - Online - 60-minutes
How sobriety coaching helps
As an accredited sobriety coach and healthcare practitioner, I use structured, evidence-based processes and expert resources.
My approach provides a supportive and confidential space to pause, reflect and explore change in a way that feels safe, realistic and professionally grounded.
Our work together will blend techniques proven to have helped other people like you. With personalised support and a practical toolkit to help, you will learn different ways to cope with stress, habits, cravings and social situations.
Together, we’ll work through your thoughts, feelings and behaviours around alcohol, gradually shifting your mindset and building a firm foundation for better sleep, good nutrition, calm, confidence and healthier relationships.
Drawing on the compassion and care we give to others, we will make dedicated time for you.
Sober curious?
Your path to improved health and wellbeing starts wherever you are today.
Whether you feel you are drinking too much, too often or struggling with moderation.
No labels
No pressure
No judgement
Professional, confidential support for healthcare professionals who want to take a break from drinking.
All coaching begins with a complimentary Initial Conversation.
This helps ensure coaching is the right fit for your needs.
