Lael Atkinson | Beyond Shrinking & Drinking
Why Recovery Coaching?
Many of us sense something isn’t right long before we make a change.
This isn’t about lacking willpower. Familiar discomfort, even painful, often feels like safety.
My job isn’t to push or shame you into change — it’s to support your healing on your terms.
When you’re ready, you can put down the old tools that no longer serve you and find new ones — building a life that reflects who you truly are and what you value.
Swimming upstream — both against a culture that normalizes drinking, shrinking, and numbing out, and against coping patterns that once kept you afloat — can bring up a lot of emotions, fears, and old stories.
In our work together, I’ll be right there with you: honoring emotions, confronting fears, and rewriting the scripts that have held you back.
I offer virtual 1:1 recovery coaching for people whose coping strategies — whether around alcohol, food, or body image — may have helped them survive in the past but no longer serve them today.
In our sessions, we explore the cycles that keep you stuck and begin building stability, self-trust, and freedom from shame.
For clients who want a structured, step-by-step approach, I offer my Shame-to-Structure program: a 12-week, individualized coaching experience with weekly exercises, reflection prompts, and personalized guidance to untangle the restrict–binge–drink–shame cycle and create lasting change — all while working closely with me.
Whether you choose regular 1:1 sessions or the structured program, the focus is the same: helping you build a life that feels steadier, more empowering, and free from shame.
Investment & Options
1:1 Coaching (flexible support)
Weekly sessions tailored to your needs. Investment varies depending on session length and frequency — we’ll find what works best for you.
Shame-to-Structure 12-Week Program (Step-by-Step Support)
A step-by-step, individualized 12-week program designed to help you untangle the restrict–binge–drink–shame cycle. Investment varies depending on the level of support you need and how we tailor the program to your goals*; we’ll talk through the right plan for your goals.
*While the program is the same core 12-week framework for everyone, some clients choose longer sessions, extra check-ins, or additional guidance — which can adjust the investment.
Imagine a Life Where . . .
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You feel so at ease with yourself, the urge to check out fades.
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Your humor and ability to connect with others were always YOU, not the alcohol.
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You can sit with difficult emotions without escaping.
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You no longer wake up ashamed, embarrassed, or full of self-loathing.
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You step into the driver’s seat of your life, trusting yourself and your body.
I’ve experienced this firsthand — in my own journey and alongside clients. With the right support, healing isn’t just possible — it’s inevitable.
What Makes My Coaching Unique
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Strength-based & individualized: I meet you where you are.
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Holistic perspective: We look at all aspects of your life, not just one behavior.
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Supportive, not shaming: Change motivated by shame rarely sticks. We focus on what works for you.
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Evidence-informed: Certified Recovery Coach, Body Trust® Provider, trauma-informed, and IFS-informed.
Together, we untangle the relationship with alcohol, food, and your body — and build tools that actually work for your life, not against it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What certifications or training do you have?
A: In addition to my lived experience, I’m a Certified Professional Recovery Coach, Certified Body Trust® Provider, Certified Professional Coach, and National Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. I’m also trauma-informed and IFS-informed.
These certifications mean I’m trained to support people recovering from alcohol or substance use and/or navigating body and food challenges, using a strength-based, stigma-free approach. With 2,500+ hours of professional training, I bring expertise — but you are always the expert on your own experience. I’m here to support your journey, not dictate it.
Q: Do you follow a 12-step approach?
A: I do not personally follow a 12-Step approach. My coaching is holistic and individualized, tailored to you and your unique circumstances.
That said, if you’re already following a 12-Step program (or want to), there’s nothing preventing us from working together at the same time.
Q: What about moderation?
A: If you want to explore moderation, I will fully support you in that process. I believe in harm reduction in all forms, and your goals guide our work.
Q: Be honest — is this going to be hard?
A: Trying something new can be challenging! Some aspects may feel easier than you expect, while others may be tougher.
Instead of worrying about how hard it will be, a more useful question might be: “Will this be worth it?” With the right support, small, consistent shifts can lead to real, lasting change.
Q: What if I fail at this?
A: Here’s the good news: you can’t fail at this process. Even if you start and stop, change is still happening. Every experience — even setbacks — gives you valuable information about what works for you.
This is a journey, not a final destination, and with guidance, you can turn each step into growth and forward momentum.
Q: Can we work on other things?
A: Absolutely! Coaching can support anything that’s keeping you from feeling fully engaged in your life — including coming out later in life, aging, grief, or other transitions.
SAMHSA defines recovery as: “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” That’s exactly the kind of support we’ll focus on together.
Q: What if I only need support with my drinking, or only with food and body — can we still work together?
A: Absolutely! We can focus on whatever you need most support with. Your coaching is tailored to you, not a one-size-fits-all program.
Q: I’m not sure I’m “ready” — should I wait?
A: You don’t have to have everything figured out to start. Coaching isn’t about being perfect or “ready” in some absolute sense — it’s about taking a step toward understanding yourself and creating a life that works for you.
Even small steps, taken with support, can spark meaningful change. Waiting for the “perfect moment” often keeps people stuck in the very cycles they want to break.
Life is Meant for More Than Coping.
When you're ready to start living on your own terms,
I'm here to help.