*The mission of GrayTonic is to provide awareness and acceptance for those questioning their relationship with alcohol through education and support while empowering a decision of change.
This mission is solely based on the gray area of drinking.
What is gray area drinking?
Gray area drinking is the wide space that exists between socially drinking and severely abusing alcohol, or physically dependent on alcohol. Society has led us to believe this is binary, either black or white. You are an alcoholic, or you are not. That is simply not true. About 50% of the population that drinks alcohol is in the gray area.
What does it mean to Question the Drink?
Question the Drink is the name of our signature coaching program, and of our Facebook group community. It’s a movement of like-minded individuals looking to choose healthier lifestyle choices while determining if alcohol plays a part in their lives. As Kari always says, it’s called Question the Drink, not quit the drink. It’s all about asking the right questions to get to the right answers for YOU.
I am not ready to give up drinking just yet. Is this for me?
ABSOLUTELY! While most clients are ready to explore a life alcohol-free, we will discover how alcohol is currently serving you. You will not be asked to quit drinking — instead, we will focus on disrupting your behavioral patterns with a method based on neuroscience. You will be in control of deciding if alcohol has a role in your life, and most often, you will lose your desire to have it.
Who is your typical client?
A typical client is someone that is curious as to where they are with their relationship with alcohol, or another type of coping aid. Most are professionals juggling to have work/life balance, that are stressed and overwhelmed with “life”. They are living a functional life on the outside but wrestling internally with an overabundance of shame and embarrassment. I coach both men and women.
Who is the program NOT for?
If you are a chronic alcohol abuser, identify as an addict, alcoholic or currently abusing medications with alcohol, this coaching program is NOT for you. Please seek professional medical attention.
I've tried monitoring, self-help programs and cutting back on my own but nothing has helped. How do I know this will be any different?
While there are no guarantees, the answer is I believe wholeheartedly it will. Here’s why – we will be exploring the cycle of how our thoughts become actions. You will gain the tools to rewire your thinking which, therefore, leads to change. Once you grasp the full understanding behind the “why”, you can make decisions by achieving clarity first to move to the next level. Together, we will follow the proven framework supporting this theory and you will see firsthand how this approach works.
I am a successful professional that is living a very functional life. I don’t see myself as an alcoholic but know my drinking is getting out of control from time to time. I don’t want to join any social community group online; as I need to protect my identity. Will I have to disclose anything or join a group?
Friend, this was my story for so many years! This program was designed with you in mind. I get it. I didn’t want to feel pressured in any way either. While I do believe sharing in the commonality is super helpful and extremely beneficial, you will not be asked to join anything you are not comfortable with. All information between you and I is strictly confidential and not shared with anyone, ever. Period.
Is there a long term commitment to work with you?
Some people get exactly what they need from the 7-Day D.E.C.I.D.E. series and a Discovery Session. The majority of my clients work with me 1:1 for a 12-week season to have me in their back pocket. The great news is that I can help you decide what the best choice is for you.
Are you a licensed therapist or part of the medical community?
Although I worked in the medical field for several years, I am not a licensed psychotherapist or a recovery counselor. I am a certified life coach trained in several modalities, including Motivational Interviewing. My expertise includes gray area drinking, partner coaching, relationship coaching, and work-related stress coaching.
Why the name GrayTonic?
The name GrayTonic came to life as I was wearing a favorite t-shirt that says, “Gym & Tonic”. I work out most days and consider the gym my go-to escape! Ironically, tonic water has been my “go-to” drink of choice. After a good chuckle, I realized how perfect this was. You see, it is a cross between what it means to be in the gray area of drinking and finding the power questions needed to discover clarity. The word tonic means medicinal/restorative drink, a pick-me-up, boost, strengthener, and energizer. Combining this meaning with the ambiguous gray zone is how GrayTonic earned its name.
Question the Drink was born about 6 months later as the Signature coaching program and the name of our Facebook group community. Think Through the Drink is our introductory program that originated with a PDF in 2018.
