"Online Counselling for Alcohol Problems | Dr Shay MacAuley | UK"

Do you have a problem with alcohol?

Many people who struggle with alcohol don't think of themselves as alcoholics. They still go to work. They still function. But somewhere along the way, drinking stopped being a choice and started being a need — a way to unwind, to cope, to get through the day or the week.

If any of the following sounds familiar, it may be time to talk to someone:

• You drink more than you intend to, more often than you'd like
• You find it hard to stop once you've started
• You think about drinking when you're not drinking
• Alcohol is affecting your sleep, your health, or your relationships
• You've tried to cut down or stop, but haven't managed to
• You don't have to hit rock bottom to deserve help. If alcohol is causing problems in your life — however small they seem — that is enough.

What causes alcohol problems?

Alcohol problems rarely develop in isolation. In my experience, they almost always have roots in something deeper — stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, loneliness, or simply the accumulated weight of a life lived under pressure.

Alcohol is fast, reliable, and socially acceptable. It works — until it doesn't. And when it stops working, it usually takes something with it: health, relationships, self-respect, or all three.

Understanding why you drink is as important as addressing the drinking itself. That is the work we do together.

How online alcohol counselling works

Sessions are conducted via secure video call — from your home, your office, or anywhere private. There are no waiting rooms, no commutes, and no appointments that clash with work or family life.

In our sessions we will:

• Explore the patterns and triggers behind your drinking
• Understand the role alcohol plays in your emotional life
• Develop practical strategies for managing cravings and high-risk situations
• Work through any underlying trauma, anxiety, or stress that may be driving the drinking
• Build a sustainable recovery — not just abstinence, but a life that feels worth living sober

I use evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and twelve-step facilitation — tailored to you.

Why talk to Dr Shay MacAuley about alcohol problems?

I am a medical doctor (MB.BS, MRCGP), a CSAT3-certified addiction counsellor, and someone with two decades of personal recovery. I have worked with people struggling with alcohol problems in prisons, therapeutic communities, and residential rehabs across the UK, Asia, and beyond.

I know this territory from both sides — the clinical and the personal. That combination is rare, and I believe it makes a genuine difference.

Take the first step

The hardest part is often just making the first call. The first 15 minutes are free — no commitment, no pressure, just a conversation to see if working together feels right.

Book a free introductory call today.

Sessions are available to clients across the UK and worldwide. All enquiries are treated with complete confidentiality.