Alcohol Use Therapy in Denver

Support for Young Adults Reconsidering Their Relationship with Alcohol

You don’t have to hit rock bottom to take a closer look at your drinking.

At Petal & Peak Mental Health, we offer alcohol use therapy in Denver and statewide across Colorado for people who feel something isn’t quite right, even if everything “looks fine” on the outside.

Many of the people we work with are high-functioning young adults balancing work, school, and social expectations. Alcohol may have started as stress relief, social ease, or routine. Over time, it may feel harder to control, harder to step away from, or more connected to anxiety than you expected.

You do not need a label to start therapy. You only need curiosity about whether something could feel different.

Is Alcohol Taking Up More Space in Your Life Than You’d Like?

You might notice:

  • Drinking more than you intend in certain situations

  • Using alcohol to manage anxiety, stress, or social discomfort

  • Wanting to cut back, but finding it harder than expected

  • Feeling stuck between “I’m fine” and “maybe I should change something”

Many clients who reach out do not drink every day. Many do not identify as having a severe problem. Still, something feels off.

Therapy can help you explore that space — without shame, ultimatums, or pressure.

For many young adults, anxiety and alcohol are closely linked.

Alcohol may temporarily reduce social anxiety or quiet racing thoughts. Over time, it can increase overall anxiety, disrupt sleep, and create cycles of guilt or self-criticism.

In therapy, we look at:

  • What role alcohol is actually playing

  • What anxiety may be driving beneath the surface

  • How to build coping strategies that do not rely solely on drinking

  • What kind of relationship with alcohol aligns with your values

Whether your goal is cutting back, taking a break, or exploring sobriety, therapy is collaborative and paced according to your readiness.


Our Approach: Harm Reduction and Thoughtful Change

We do not use rigid recovery models or one-size-fits-all expectations.

Our work is grounded in:

  • Narrative-informed therapy to explore how alcohol fits into your self-story

  • Motivational Interviewing to clarify readiness and support self-directed change

  • Skills-based and acceptance-focused strategies for managing anxiety and urges

  • Trauma-informed care when past experiences influence drinking patterns

You do not need to commit to abstinence to begin.

Who This Is a Good Fit For

Alcohol use therapy at Petal & Peak is best suited for people with mild to moderate concerns, including:

  • Sober-curious or “soberish” exploration

  • Mindful drinking or harm-reduction goals

  • Anxiety or life transitions influencing alcohol use

  • Young adults and early-career professionals navigating high stress

Who We Are Not the Right Fit For

To ensure ethical care, we do not provide treatment for:

  • Moderate to severe alcohol use disorder

  • Polysubstance use

  • Detox or intensive outpatient treatment

If a higher level of care is needed, we will help connect you with appropriate resources.

Work with Conor McCarthy, LSW

Conor McCarthy specializes in working with young adults in Denver who are navigating anxiety and problematic alcohol use.

His approach is direct, relational, and grounded in helping clients explore
change without shame or rigid labels. Many of his clients are high-functioning
but internally overwhelmed — unsure whether their drinking is a serious issue,
yet knowing something needs attention.

If this sounds familiar, you can learn more about working with Conor here.

Learn more about Conor
A man with brown hair and a beard smiling and leaning on a wooden railing by the water with a boat in the background.

Insurance & Practical Details

Alcohol use therapy is often covered by insurance when it intersects with mental health concerns such as anxiety or stress.

Petal & Peak Mental Health accepts:

  • Anthem

  • Cigna

  • Colorado Medicaid

  • Kaiser

  • United Healthcare

    • Including Rocky Mountain Healthcare Plans

    • Including Medicare Advantage Plans

  • UMR

In-person sessions are available in Southwest Denver.
Telehealth is available statewide across Colorado.

Our team can help verify benefits before you begin.

Getting Started

You do not need a label.
You do not need a long-term plan.

If you’re ready to talk about alcohol in a 1:1, nonjudgmental space, we’re here.

Schedule an appointment with Conor to begin therapy in Denver or online anywhere in Colorado.