Alcohol & Substance Use Counseling in Wayne, PA
Take a compassionate look at your relationship with alcohol and substances.
At Mindful Journey Wellness Center in Wayne, we provide outpatient counseling for adults, professionals, and couples who are beginning to wonder if alcohol or other substances are taking more than they give.
Maybe you have kept things together for a long time, yet you feel more numb, anxious, or disconnected than you let others see. Maybe you have tried to “cut back” and found it harder than you expected, or you are simply tired of the internal negotiation.
You are not broken, and you are not alone. Counseling can help you understand the role alcohol has been playing, and begin building a life that feels more present, aligned, and free.
Whatever brings you here, you do not have to do this alone.
Is Alcohol Quietly Taking More Than It Gives?
Alcohol and substances often start as a way to relax, celebrate, connect, or get through a stressful season. Over time, your relationship with them can shift in subtle but significant ways.
You might notice:
You think about drinking more than you used to
This can look like planning your evening around whether you will drink, counting down to the first glass, or feeling distracted until you know it is available. Often, the most important signal is not the amount, but the mental space it begins to take up.
You use alcohol to cope with stress, numb difficult feelings, or fall asleep.
Alcohol can become a fast-acting way to downshift, especially after pressure, conflict, or emotional exhaustion. If it is becoming the primary bridge to relief or sleep, it may be crowding out healthier ways your system can recover
You drink more or more often than you planned.
You may set a limit and then watch it quietly slide, even with sincere intentions. When there is a repeated gap between what you plan and what happens, it is information worth paying attention to, not a reason for self-judgment.
You feel guilt, shame, or secrecy about how much you drink.
These feelings often show up when your drinking starts to conflict with your values or the person you want to be. Hiding, minimizing, or feeling “on edge” about being noticed can become its own heavy burden.
You have tried to cut back and found it harder than you expected.
Many people are surprised by how quickly “taking a break” turns into bargaining, irritability, or repeated exceptions. Difficulty cutting back often means alcohol is serving a stronger role in your system than you realized, and that role can be understood and changed.
You do not need to wait for a crisis, a diagnosis, or a rock-bottom moment to seek support. Counseling is precisely for the space you are in now, where you notice that something is off, feel unsure what to do next, and want a different way forward.
You tell yourself it is “not that bad,” even while feeling uneasy.
Part of you may rationalize or compare yourself to others, while another part feels a persistent discomfort. When you have to repeatedly convince yourself it is fine, that uneasiness may be pointing to something real.
Loved ones have expressed concern about your use.
Even when you feel you are functioning, others may notice changes in mood, presence, patience, or reliability. Their concern can be a useful data point to explore, rather than something you have to argue with or dismiss.
Who This Service Is For
Alcohol and substance use counseling at Mindful Journey Wellness Center is designed for people across the spectrum, from early concerns about drinking to more established patterns that are affecting daily life.
Gray-area or “high-functioning” drinking
You are keeping up with work, family, and daily life, but alcohol has become a main coping tool. You may be the person everyone relies on, yet you feel more disconnected, irritable, or numb than you show. You want to understand and change your patterns before they cost you more.
Professionals in high-pressure roles
Physicians, nurses, therapists, executives, entrepreneurs, and other high-responsibility professionals often use alcohol or substances to manage performance pressure, emotional exhaustion, and unspoken grief. You may worry that if you step back from drinking, your entire life will have to change. Together, we explore how to recalibrate in ways that protect your health, reputation, and relationships.
Individuals concerned about Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
You recognize that alcohol has moved beyond “just a habit.” You may experience cravings, loss of control, or withdrawal-like symptoms. You may have begun to see consequences at work, at home, or in your sense of self. Counseling can help you understand where you are on the spectrum of alcohol use and build a plan for safety, restoration, and change.
Partners and loved ones affected by someone else’s use
You may not be the one drinking, but you are deeply affected by someone who is. Sessions can focus on your boundaries, your emotional safety, your options, and how to move forward, whether your loved one changes or not.
Why Work With a CAADC-Trained Therapist
Mindful Journey Wellness Center is led by Thomas W. Romanus, M.Ed., LPC, CAADC. CAADC stands for Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a credential that reflects specialized training and experience in alcohol and substance use treatment.
This means you are working with a therapist who:
• Understands the full spectrum of alcohol and substance use, from early concerns to diagnosable disorders.
• Is trained to recognize when outpatient therapy is appropriate and when a higher level of care may be needed. • Integrates evidence-informed approaches with respect for the complexity of your life, work, and relationships.
• Can collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, or higher levels of care when that best serves your safety and long-term well-being.
You receive the benefit of specialized addiction training within a private, confidential, and highly personalized psychotherapy setting.
How We Approach Alcohol and Substance Use Counseling
Our work together is not about labeling you or taking away something, you rely on without understanding why it is there. Instead, we focus on curiosity, compassion, and honest clarity.
Key parts of our approach include:
• A non-shaming, collaborative stance. We slow down and make sense of what alcohol or substances are doing for you, not only what they are doing to you.
• A whole-person perspective. We explore your history, stressors, trauma, relationships, and values, not just your drinking pattern.
• Flexible goals. For some, the goal is abstinence. For others, it is meaningful reduction, prevention of escalation, or a staged path toward more significant change. We decide this together, based on your health, safety, and readiness.
• Integration, not isolation. We consider how alcohol or substance use intersects with anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship distress, and professional demands.
You set the pace. The goal is not perfection. The goal is a more honest, grounded, and sustainable life.
When Outpatient Counseling Is the Right Fit
Outpatient counseling is often appropriate if:
• You are medically stable and not at risk for dangerous withdrawal.
• You can maintain your safety between sessions.
• You are functioning at work or school, even if things feel strained.
• You are open to reflecting on your use and considering change.
If we determine that severe dependence, medical risk, or safety concerns are present, we will discuss options that may better support you, such as:
• Medical evaluation for detox or medication support.
• Intensive outpatient or higher levels of structured care.
• Collaboration with your primary care provider or psychiatrist.
You will not be left alone to figure this out. Part of our work is helping you access the right level of care at the right time.
What to Expect in the First Sessions
Beginning alcohol or substance use counseling can feel vulnerable. Knowing what to expect can make the process feel more manageable
In the first several sessions, we will typically:
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Learn your story You will have space to share how alcohol or substances have woven into your life, what you have already tried, and what worries or hopes you carry. We will also explore your broader life context, including work, relationships, and mental health.
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Clarify your relationship with alcohol or substances Together, we will map out patterns: when you use, how much, what triggers it, and how you feel before and after. This is not about judgment. It is about understanding the role that use is playing in your emotional and physical life.
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Identify your goals and priorities We will work together to clarify what you want. Do you want to cut back, stop completely, prevent further escalation, or understand why you feel unable to change? We will also talk about safety concerns and any immediate steps that can reduce risk.
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Build an initial plan Based on your goals and needs, we will outline a starting plan. This may include specific coping strategies, changes to your routines, supports you can lean on, and topics we will explore more deeply in future sessions.
Over time, our work can expand to include trauma healing, relationship repair, identity, and rebuilding your life in ways that feel more aligned with who you want to be.
Therapeutic Approaches and Tools We May Use
Your treatment is always tailored to you, but common approaches include:
• Motivational interviewing, to help you explore and resolve mixed feelings about change.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to examine the thoughts, habits, and beliefs that keep patterns going and to build new ones.
• Relapse prevention planning, so that you have practical strategies for high-risk situations, cravings, and emotional triggers.
• Mindfulness-based approaches, to increase awareness of body cues, emotional states, and early warning signs.
• Trauma-informed care and, when appropriate, trauma-focused therapies, recognizing that many people use substances to manage unresolved pain.
• Work with identity and values, helping you reconnect with what matters most so that change feels meaningful, not only difficult.
• Collaboration with other providers, when needed, to support your medical safety and overall care.
You do not have to know which approach you need when you begin. Part of our work is discovering what fits you best.
Support for Partners, Families, and Loved Ones
Alcohol and substance use rarely affect only one person. If you are a partner, family member, or close friend, you may feel:
• Confused by changing promises and behaviors.
• Torn between hope and frustration.
• Unsure what is supportive and what might enable the pattern.
• Afraid of conflict, yet tired of walking on eggshells.
We offer counseling focused on your experience, your boundaries, and your options. Sometimes this is individual work with you. At other times, when it is clinically appropriate and safe, we may include joint sessions to improve communication and support healthier patterns.
You deserve support, even if your loved one is not ready to seek help.
FAQs
Not necessarily. Some clients come in wanting to explore moderation or reduction first; others are ready for complete abstinence. We will talk honestly about your health, risks, and goals, then decide together what approach makes sense. In some situations, especially with more severe dependence or significant medical risk, abstinence may be the safest recommendation.
If you are asking that question, counseling can help. You do not need a certain number of drinks or a formal diagnosis before you are allowed to seek support. Our work can focus on understanding your patterns, clarifying your concerns, and helping you make thoughtful decisions about your next steps.
Yes. While many clients come in with concerns about alcohol, we also work with people who use prescription medications, cannabis, or other substances in ways that feel out of alignment with their values or health. We will talk about your specific situation and what support is appropriate.
In almost all situations, what you share in therapy is private and confidential. There are a few limited exceptions related to safety, such as risk of serious harm to yourself or others, or
suspected abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult, where therapists are required to act to protect safety. We will review confidentiality in detail so that you know exactly what to expect.
No. Mindful Journey Wellness Center provides psychotherapy. We do not prescribe medication and we do not provide medical detox services. When medication or medical supervision is indicated, we collaborate with physicians, psychiatrists, or specialized programs so that you receive coordinated care.
Reaching out about alcohol or substance use takes courage. You may worry that once you say it out loud, everything has to change at once. In reality, the first step is often a simple, private conversation about what is really happening and what you want for your life.
If you live in Wayne, on the Main Line, or anywhere in Pennsylvania and are curious about what counseling could look like for you, we invite you to connect.
You can schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to ask questions, share your concerns, and see whether we are a good match for you. Together, we will explore a path that honors your health, your relationships, and the life you want to reclaim.If you are experiencing a medical emergency, feel unsafe, or are in crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. If you believe you may be experiencing dangerous withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or substances, seek emergency medical care right away.
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Schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation now. During this call, you'll learn about our credentials, explore your concerns, and determine if we're a good match for your wellness journey.
Why Call Us?
Quick response within 24 hours
Personalized approach to your unique needs
Direct conversation with the practice owner
Confidential and judgment-free space
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, feeling unsafe, or in crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
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