Addiction recovery coaching

I am Lina B. Russell, a professional addiction recovery coach. I hold a BSc in Cognitive Science – Psychology, an MSc in Public Policy and Human Development, and I am a member of the British Psychological Society. I have lived experience of addiction recovery.

I support high- and medium-functioning people who are:

• reintegrating into daily life after a detox, or
• aiming to reduce their substance use or addictive behaviour gradually,
• and pursuing either abstinent or non-abstinent recovery goals.

In my coaching, I draw on approaches from cognitive, existential and positive psychology, trauma-aware practice, somatic awareness, behavioural habit-building, and creative tools such as intuitive art and visual cueing.

I am also a psilocybin-friendly practitioner specialised in microdosing, although adding microdosed psilocybin to your recovery journey is never a requirement for working with me.

What you get when you work with me

Commitment to your recovery

As your coach, I become someone who genuinely cares about your recovery and stands alongside you.

I work with a maximum of ten clients per week so I can process each session intellectually and emotionally, and bring relevant insights to our next meetings.

Companionship and accountability

Many people who live with addiction spend significant energy on concealing it, which leads to isolation and a habit of duplicity.

Our meetings are a safe ground where your full experience can come out of the shadows and we can work with it openly. It’s a space where we set goals, celebrate successes and address setbacks together.

I will speak up boldly if I see you engaging in self-deception or going in circles. You don’t need to carry this alone. I walk alongside you on your recovery path and act as your accountability partner.

Holistic image of what drives your addiction

I begin by building a comprehensive picture of your life to uncover your addiction patterns, cues and triggers, and the context in which they operate.

I see modern-day mental health struggles, including addiction, not as a personal failing but as an individual response to past and present circumstances, be it pressure, trauma, loneliness, or a deteriorating environment.

Tools for your addiction recovery

This clear picture of your addiction provides the foundation for creating a tailored recovery strategy.

I help you analyse how you can adapt your life and propose methods that facilitate this process.

Structured process to support your goals

I take responsibility for how the time is used during our sessions. Talking and venting have their place, but meaningful recovery coaching needs a plan.

The aim is to gain crucial insights into your addiction, set realistic recovery goals, and offer tailored support that sets you up for success. The meetings are shaped with this purpose in mind.

You in the driving seat

At the same time, I believe that people are experts in their own lives. You can choose the elements you find useful and set aside the ones that don’t resonate.

Through trial-and-error and iteration, we find what works best on your addiction recovery journey.

Objectively tracked progress

Together, we set recovery goals in a clear and measurable way.

If you are pursuing gradual reduction or non-abstinent recovery, I ask you to track your substance use or other addictive behaviours.

If the aim is to sustain abstinence, we may set up other trackers to monitor your day-to-day challenges, depending on what is relevant in your situation.

These help us see what is changing, what is working, and when the approach may need adjusting.

Flexibility

I offer sessions of varying length and frequency, depending on what is most useful. At times, you may need longer sessions to go in-depth, and at other times short check-ins will suffice.

The priority is to respond effectively to your changing needs.

Confidentiality and ethics

I align myself with your goals, aiming to arrive at a point where you need less and eventually no coaching.

Sessions are private. What you share with me stays between us, apart from the standard limits: if there is a clear and immediate risk of serious harm to you or someone else, or a legal duty to report.

I work within the boundaries of coaching. I am open about what I can support and where my remit ends. If you need other support — medical, therapeutic, or otherwise — I will say so clearly. You may choose to continue coaching while also seeking other support, or you may decide to shift your focus; both paths are valid.

Whether our work reaches a natural conclusion or it becomes clear that this approach is not serving you well, I make sure the ending is handled properly so you leave with clarity rather than loose ends.

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to the questions I’m most often asked.