Addiction is a cunning, baffling, and powerful force that doesn’t discriminate—it touches every socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, and age. For those of us who have wrestled with it, or watched someone we love do the same, the journey to recovery can feel overwhelming. Sobriety might start with abstinence, but the real magic happens in the often-overlooked journey toward emotional sobriety.
I know this because I’ve lived it. For over a decade, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside high achievers and everyday warriors who seek to reclaim their lives from addiction. My work focuses on guiding people not only to sobriety but to the healing and transformation of the emotional roots of their pain.
Why Emotional Sobriety Matters
Sobriety is about so much more than putting down the drink, the pill, or the behavior. It’s about addressing the why:
- Why did you need to numb yourself in the first place?
- Why does life feel unmanageable without your substance of choice?
Emotional sobriety is the process of peeling back the layers of these questions and learning to sit with the discomfort of life’s challenges without running from them. It’s about finding freedom from the past, emotional regulation in the present, and resilience for the future.
For many, emotional sobriety means learning how to:
- Navigate relationships with healthy boundaries.
- Process unresolved grief or trauma.
- Regain trust in yourself and others.
- Develop coping skills that honor your emotions without controlling you.
As someone who has experienced the incredible transformation that happens when we move beyond white-knuckling it through life and embrace emotional healing, I know the journey is worth it. This is where we go from surviving to thriving.
My Approach to Addiction Recovery
At Brave Soul Therapy, I work with clients to uncover the deeper layers of their struggles and discover meaningful ways forward. Here’s what that looks like:
- Exploring Systems and Patterns: IFS-informed therapy (Internal Family Systems) and family dynamics are key to understanding how early experiences shape our coping mechanisms.
- Storytelling for Healing: Our stories hold power. When we share them in a safe, supportive environment, we break the cycle of shame and embrace self-compassion.
- Building Resilience: Emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills help clients navigate life’s storms with confidence and calm.
- Authentic Connection: Recovery is about relationships—with ourselves, others, and, for many of us, with God. My faith in Jesus and His teachings of love informs my approach, and I respect and honor every individual’s journey.
Whether you’re in the early stages of recovery, stuck in the “in-between,” or a parent juggling the pressures of life while staying sober, you deserve to feel seen, supported, and equipped for lasting change.
Why You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Recovery is hard work, but it’s not a journey you have to take on your own. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe to show up as you are—messy, vulnerable, and human. Together, we’ll explore the challenges you’re facing and uncover the strengths and solutions you already hold within you.
I’m here because I believe in the power of grace, connection, and transformation. I’ve been where you are, and I’ve seen what’s possible when we lean into the process of healing.
You don’t have to stay stuck. There’s freedom waiting for you, one step at a time.
Felicia Hermle
