Foundations of Freedom

an intimate 8-week group coaching program that gives you the tools, mindset shifts and perspectives that are imperative for a successful sobriety journey.

This group is for you if:

  • You’re a newly sober or sober curious person, or someone looking to re-enter into sobriety after realizing that you simply can not moderate

  • You’ve participated in (or maybe even finished) a dry January or sober October but it was a slog and you found yourself with a drink in hand again on day 31

  • You know that there is a life beyond booze but can’t seem to stick to your Sunday morning promise of “ugh…I’m never drinking again”

  • You’re sick of waking up with feelings of regret and shame around your drinking habits

  • You’re feeling alone on this journey and are looking for connection with other people who have similar goals and values.

  • You have an internal ache that says “is this all there is?” that you no longer want to ignore.

By the end of our time together you will have:

  • Built a strong foundation in your physical sobriety based on the principles of shame reduction, self compassion and emotional sobriety

  • Identified your unique physical, environmental, social and emotional triggers that cause you to want to check out

  • Learned how to respond from your values in moments of stress instead of reacting impulsively

  • Utilized specific tools and practices that help you remain sober while also developing a sense of self-compassion and self-trust

  • A deep understanding of your personal orange and red flags and can identify them before you fall into the trap of believing you can moderate your drinking again (you can’t)

  • Greatly expanded your self-awareness around automatic behaviours and thought patterns

  • A group of supportive people who get you, who have your back and support your goals

✨Foundations of freedom is a compassionate and comprehensive exploration into the beginning stages of sobriety so you can continue your journey feeling strong and supported with newly gained tools, perspectives, mindset shifts and connections. Watch yourself go from I can’t drink anymore (fear and lack) to I don’t have to drink anymore (empowerment and freedom)✨

Imagine

-cultivating a deep trust within because you’ve learned to keep promises to yourself.

-confidently saying ‘no’ to social invites that feel draining.

- sleeping better, clearer skin and less anxiety.

-(way) more time and money to invest in your new gardening obsession…or those pottery classes you’ve always wanted to take…or picking up your love of reading again.

-forming life-long bonds with people who actually get it and get you (I mean, how lucky are they?!)

-waking up Sunday morning, hangover free, ready to enjoy those slow sips of coffee without an ounce of shame or a single drop of regret from the night before.

Now stop imaging and let’s start bringing it into reality.

A woman with curly blonde hair standing outdoors on a rocky shoreline with water and distant land in the background, looking thoughtfully into the distance.

Dates, times and details:

  • Our time together begins on September 16th, 2025.

  • We meet on Tuesdays at 7:30pm Eastern Time for 60-90 minutes. All sessions take place on Zoom.

  • All calls are recorded and sent to the group within 24 hours.

  • We meet 7 times over the course of 8 weeks starting on September 16th and ending on November 4th. There will be no call on October 21st.

  • Calls are a combination of teaching, coaching, reflecting and sharing.

  • This is an intimate container with 12 spots maximum.

  • Pricing for this offering is tiered (see tiers below) and is in USD. NEW: Canadian residents can pay in Canadian currency.

  • Cancellation and Refund policy: Cancellations made before September 1st, 2025 will be provided a full refund minus a $75 administrative and processing fee. Cancellations made between September 1st-15th, 2025 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued after September 15th, 2025.

  • "...it has completely changed my life in more ways than I could have imagined..."

    I can't remember the sequence of events that lead me to Kristy's Instagram but the universe knew what it was doing. I first learned the definition of HSP through Kristy and I was hooked. I had been sober curious for awhile and as soon as she posted about her group coaching, I just knew I wanted to try it out even though I was scared. BEST DECISION EVER! From the first minute of the first session Kristy did an amazing job making me feel comfortable, seen and valued. She gave me the tools I needed to make better decisions for myself while acknowledging mind, body and soul. If you are on the fence about joining this group session please know that it has completely changed my life in more ways than I could have imagined a year ago.

    - Lynn P.

  • "I was able to release years of guilt and shame"

    I was alive in September 2022, but I was not living - I was merely existing day to day as a high functioning mother, wife and accountant. I didn’t know who I was. I was drinking daily and knew something needed to change but also knew I couldn’t do it alone. Then the universe stepped in and my part led me to Kristy. I was able to join one of your small groups - this is when my life really started changing and I finally began living. In her group, I was witnessed, supported and guided. I was able to release shame and guilt that I held onto for years…while being met with love and compassion. I am no longer existing - I am growing and thriving. And it all started working with you - Kristy played an instrumental role in helping me save myself. I love myself and I’m excited for what lies ahead. I never imagined that i’d be able to say that and believe it. - Amy C.

  • "Through her coaching, Kristy can help define your new path and light the way for you"

    Kristy was the first person I talked to about my decision to live sober…and her attentive approach provided immediate comfort and support. It is a true gift to be in the presence of someone who heartily hears me and taps into what I imagine for myself. Through her coaching, she helped me define a new path and lit the way for me. I’m forever grateful - Megan D.

  • "safe space for people like me to unpack some of the shitty baggage we’ve been lugging around for so long"

    I will be eternally grateful for the way you showed up and held incredibly safe space for people like me to unpack some of the shitty baggage we’ve been lugging around for so long. And while she’s sensible and sensitive, she won’t stand for letting anyone get by with beating themselves up, either. She moves with such honesty and integrity in that way. She saw me, cared for me, supported me and encouraged me through some of the most difficult parts of this transformative journey. - Dana E.

  • "...made me feel safe when I needed a guide in some extremely difficult times"

    If you ever get the chance to work with Kristy, do it! She has the most calming and understanding soul. With Kristy, you can celebrate your wins and be held through the tough times - she feels like a big, loving hug.

    Working with Kristy made me feel safe when I needed a guide in some extremely difficult times. - Laura S.

Pay-What-Supports-You:

in an effort to keep this work accessible, I use pay-what-supports-you pricing, which has been inspired by Simone Grace Seol & the Green Bottle Method by Worts + Cunning.

Consider the following as a guide for deciding to which investment is appropriate for your personal circumstances. It’s also important to consider the amount of money you would typically spend on alcohol while in this program. For example: if drinking at home and out at bars/restaurants typically costs you $75/week, you will be saving $600 ($75 x 8 weeks) which you would otherwise spend on alcohol. Instead of drinking, you’ll be investing in your education, connection and lifelong well-being.

Tier 1

if you struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, child care, or are in significant debt without any savings, you probably belong here and you deserve a community that honours your price as equal an economic offering as the person who can pay the highest tier. There are a limited number of spots available at this tier so please be sure this is the correct tier for you before selecting.

$500.00

$200.00 x2

be rewarded for going after what you want! This early bird price of $400 will be available until August 30th.

Your credit card will be charged $200 now and $200 in one month.

Tier 2

paying the full cost would prevent you from being able to attend and you do not honestly find yourself reflected in either descriptions for the highest cost or the lowest. Making this investment might mean you might have to cut back on some discretionary spending in your life (meals out, fancy coffees, buying a new outfit or going on vacation), but the sacrifice is short-term, and will not harm you long term.

$600.00

$250.00 x2

be rewarded for going after what you want! This early bird price of $500 will be available until August 30th.

Your credit card will be charged $250 now and $250 in one month.

Tier 3

you have access to financial security, own property or have personal savings & you would not traditionally qualify for sliding scale services. If you are able to pay for "wants" and spend little time worried about securing basic necessities in your life, you have economic privilege and power in your community - this price is for you.

$700.00

$300.00x2

be rewarded for going after what you want! This early bird price of $600 will be available until August 30th.

Your credit card will be charged $300 now and $300 in one month.

If you prefer to pay using PayPal, please send me an email indicating your country of residence and which pricing tier is most appropriate for you.

To be considered for the scholarship, please see the FAQ at the bottom of the page.

What to expect:

  • This offering is rooted in unshaming and accepting personal responsibility from a place of self-compassion. From these lenses, we will cover the following:

    Week 1: Welcoming in, intention setting, the power of unshaming
    Week 2: Understanding urges and cravings, and how to navigate them without white-knuckling
    Week 3: How to cope when you’ve never learned how
    Week 4: Dealing with the things we aren’t allowed to feel: fear, boredom, grief and anger
    Week 5: Navigating friendships and changing relationships
    Week 6: Integration week - we will stay connected in the private group chat
    Week 7: Filling the space left in sobriety - who am I? who do I want to be? what do I even like?
    Week 8: Moving forward with intention, reclaiming your narrative, holding space for possibility

    Note: there may be some light re-ordering of the material, depending on the needs of the group.

  • In between our live calls, we’ll have a private group chat for support, validation, accountability and community - the connection here keeps the momentum between group calls and gives you a support network 7 days a week.

  • In collaboration with me, you will develop a custom made relapse prevention plan, so you have a blueprint to follow once our time together comes to a close

 FAQs

  • Foundations of Freedom is for those who are sober-curious (have a genuine interest in living a sober life), are newly sober or are wanting to re-enter into sobriety. It is also for those who are already practicing physical sobriety and want to develop a foundation of emotional sobriety.

  • This group is for sensitive and empathetic folks ready to begin or deepen their sobriety. It is a shared space where everyone's voice and experience matters. In order to keep everyone feeling welcome and comfortable, it's important to be thoughtful about the language you use and be respectful of others' lived experiences.

  • It can be scary trying something for the first time so first off, I’d like to commend you for stepping outside of your comfort zone. That’s a huge part of what sobriety is about - putting ourselves out there and trying something new. Coaching is different from sponsorship in that along with my own lived experience, I’ve also been trained specifically in recovery coaching. In coaching, I help you understand and get to the heart of the issue, challenge limiting and false beliefs, encourage new perspectives and hold space during what can be a tender and emotional journey. My specific style of coaching is based in the principle that deep down, people do truly know what’s best for them - but often they need support in uncovering and being honest about what those things are. I absolutely believe in my clients’ ability to grow and change beyond what they ever thought was possible for them and hold them in the highest and most loving regard as they they walk the beautiful and sacred road of recovery. Doing this work in a safe and contained group setting creates lasting bonds and dissipates the shame that has told you that “no one gets it” or that “I’m the only one.”

  • Foundations of Freedom begins on Tuesday, September 16th, 2023 and runs for 8 weeks until November 4th 2025. All calls will take place on Zoom Tuesdays at 7:30PM Eastern Time and will run for 60-90 minutes. We will have one week off for integration: October 21, 2025. All calls will be recorded and sent out within 24 hours for anyone who can’t attend live.

  • This group is all about community. There is a private group chat just for members to connect, support and celebrate one another in between calls. This is where so much bonding takes place.

  • I totally get it. I remember the first group program I enrolled in…I was worried - would I like it, would these people get me? How can I talk about things that are so personal with a bunch of strangers? Your fears are okay and make sense.

    AND

    There’s so much healing that happens when we find out that we aren’t the only ones having these challenging experiences. When we hear our stories and experiences mirrored back to us. When we find out that we aren’t completely alone in our feelings and there are truly people out there who get us. This is the magic of a group coaching experience.

    The other thing that we are so often missing while we’re drinking is true, genuine connection…which is very different from alcohol manufactured connection. Group coaching is where you not only realize you aren’t alone, but where you also develop genuine, lasting connection with other people who get it.

    All of that said, if you still very much feel like you want to do this work, but a group doesn’t feel like the right environment for you in this season, we can also explore working privately, 1:1.

  • While Alcoholics Anonymous is the right choice for some, it doesn’t feel right for everyone. I have worked with many people who are actively involved in AA to further support and enhance their recovery journey and often work with those who feel opposed to some of the tenants of the 12 step program. I believe all forms of recovery are valid and encourage you to make the decision that feels most aligned for you.

  • Yes. You can pay in full or pay in 2 equal payments.

  • This program runs on tiered pricing. You can review the different criteria for each level and choose the one that is most appropriate for your circumstances. Please remember, that if you are committing to not drinking during the duration of the program, you can use the funds you would have otherwise spent on alcohol to help cover the cost of the program.

  • There will be one scholarship spot available. If you are unable to pay for the program because of financial constraints and would like to be considered for a scholarship, please contact Kristy here.

    If you don’t feel like your financial situation is reflected in any of the pricing tiers AND requesting scholarship consideration doesn’t feel right either, please reach out to discuss alternative arrangements.

  • I’m so happy to made this decision for your current and future self! 24 hours after enrolling you will get a welcome email and an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. One week before we meet, you will receive an onboarding form, directions for accessing our group chat and a call calendar link so all call info will be automatically placed in your calendar. In the meantime, if you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out.

  • Foundations of Freedom 2025 Refund Policy:

    Cancellations made before September 1st will be provided a full refund minus a $75 administrative and processing fee. Cancellations made between September 1st-15th will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued after September 15th, 2025. When you sign up, you are agreeing to this refund policy which is outlined in the terms and conditions.

Meet Your Facilitator

A woman with curly hair sitting on rocks by the ocean, wearing a gray sweater and jeans, looking at the camera with a calm expression.

Kristy Sarausky is trained recovery coach (through the Connecticut Community for Addictions and Recovery) and holds a Master’s Degree in Adult Education. But more importantly, she is a highly sensitive person who lived and struggled with grey-area drinking for 18 years before saying “I don’t know what….but NOT THIS”