About Georgia Powell
The person behind the fifty ways, and how her work has moved on.
Where this site came from
I'm a counsellor and psychotherapist. For six years I worked in an organisation giving advice and help to people whose lives were affected by alcohol, and over that time I saw hundreds of people trying to change their drinking.
The fifty ways on this site began life as a book, 50 Ways To Leave Your Lager. It's built on what those clients shared with me about what actually helped them. It focuses on things you can do, rather than theories of addiction. Lots of people completely change their lives and their ways of thinking. You can too.
The site is free. It isn't a treatment service, and I've updated the information on detox, medication and support services so that it reflects current UK practice.
My training
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, University of Sussex (2003)
- Diploma in Professional Studies in Substance Misuse Intervention Strategies, University of Brighton (2005)
- Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy since 2009: MBACP (Accred), registration number 19801
- Diploma in Relationship-Based Supervision of Individuals and Groups, Ibis Consultancy (2014 to 2015)
- Trained in EMDR (standard training, EMDR Europe-accredited, completed October 2026)
I trained originally in psychodynamic therapy and now work in a pluralistic way, drawing on different approaches to suit each person. I work in a goal-focused way, supporting people to reach the changes they want.
How my work has moved on
After alcohol services, I worked in the NHS and ran my own private counselling practice. More recently my work has turned towards people in demanding, high-pressure jobs. I now work with police officers and staff through a counselling agency, and I've trained in EMDR, a therapy used to help people process distressing and traumatic experiences.
Today my practice focuses on police and emergency services personnel, armed forces and veterans, offering confidential counselling and EMDR online across the UK, with hours that fit around shifts.
Looking for counselling?
If you work in the police, emergency services or armed forces, or you're a veteran, you can find out about my counselling practice at counsellingforces.co.uk.
For anyone else, your GP, your local alcohol service or the BACP directory can help you find the right support.
If you're here, you've already taken the first step towards making positive changes. I wish you all the best.
Georgia