PATHWAYS PROFILE
From Hangovers to Hope... ...continued from page 51 Elicit Help
Valerie R. McManus, LCSW-C Therapeutic Intuitions An Intuitive Psychotherapy Practice
It can be helpful to find a buddy who is also changing their relation - ship with alcohol and support each other. It’s especially important to pick a partner who is non-judgmental. Some nights you might not hit your goal, and that’s OK. It happens to me, too. The more important thing is to keep trying. There are also apps and programs that can help like Sunnyside, which has been studied and shown to help re- duce alcohol consumption. Also, there are companies that work with prescription medications to reduce alcohol consumption, such as Oar Health. I created a course with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) on mindful drinking, too (www.nasm.org/continu - ing-education/mindful-drinking). These are certainly not the only strategies, but all of them are far better than what I had learned as a young adult. That’s the reason I advocate for mindful drinking: so people who are figuring out their relationship with alcohol have choices, whether they are coming of age or have been drinking for most of their life. I wish it had happened for me. That’s also the point of mindful drinking. I don’t tell people whether they should or shouldn’t drink alcohol. It’s about an intrinsic decision we make for ourselves based on our values and goals, which are often different. Optionality is at the heart of mindful drinking, which is ex - actly why I’m grateful the landscape is changing and there are better choices. Wherever you are in your journey, take just a few moments today to reflect on what mindful drinking could mean for you. Your future self may thank you. Derek Brown is an author, certified wellness coach, and applied positive psychology practitioner. He founded Positive Damage, Inc . in 2023, a company dedicated to promoting mindful drinking and social wellness. Previously, Brown owned Columbia Room in Wash - ington, D.C., recognized as the Spirited Awards 2017 “Best American Cocktail Bar,” and was celebrated as one of the nation’s top bartend - ers. He is also the host of The Mindful Drinking Podcast . Instagram: @positivedamageinc Brown’s first book, Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World (2019), earned him the title of 2020 “Author of the Year” at the Nightclub & Bar Show Awards. His second book, Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails (2022), further solidified his influence in the beverage in - dustry. Recognized as a transformative figure in the global bar communi - ty, Brown was featured in Drinks International’s 2020 “Bar World 100” list and named one of “the most inspirational people and places shaping how we drink” in Imbibe magazine’s 2023 “Imbibe 75.” In 2024, he received the Industry Impact Award at the Bar & Restau - rant Expo.
Are you seeking clarity & direction? Wanting increased vibrancy & peace? Curious about the mystical side of healing? Yearning for deep, grounded connection?
Amidst the chaos of modern living, inflated levels of stress create noisy interference in the “telephone line” to our highest self (often called the soul, spirit, unified field, universal consciousness, etc.). An intuitive healer is a type of mystic who has focused their contemplative practice to amplify and develop their "phone line" to divine energy. Information is then transmitted to the client for integration, healing, and growth . At THERAPEUTIC INTUTIONS, I cast my mystical gifts through the lens of expertise as a licensed clinical social worker. Marrying the two allows for optimum balance between spiritual wisdom and therapeutic processing and integration work . Clients benefit on a soul level while remaining anchored in practical application tools for everyday living. “Without Valerie…I would not be where I am today…happy, healthy, and at peace.” –Alex Heal * Grow * Evolve Call 410-465-8687, <Info@TherapeuticIntuitions.com> or use the scheduling tab on our website to select a FREE consult or new client session. www.TherapeuticIntuitions.com *Therapeutic Intuitions is a private pay practice. Sessions range in price from $250-$350.
52—PATHWAYS—Winter 24-25
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator