Introduction to Counseling Techniques in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

Course Objectives

• Review basic counseling theory and basic theories of addiction treatment.
• Learn to apply the stage of change model to resistant clients.
• Discuss professional ethics, boundary issues and self-care.
• Get an introduction to the fundamental techniques and critical elements of effective counseling and rehearse these techniques.
• Practice therapist interactional styles and behaviors, especially reflective listening, that predict good outcomes.
• Learn how to help clients overcome common roadblocks to participation in 12-step programs.
• Understand functional analysis, the core concept of cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Know the primary issues related to ethnic, gender and sexuality differences in basic counseling.
• Rehearse reflective listening in a practice counseling session, including handling common difficulties in clinical practice.

What You Learn

• Overview of chemical-dependency counseling
• Models of treatment
• Causes of addiction
• Stages of change and motivational interviewing
• Stages of change model
• Readiness to change and nonjudgmental approaches to denial
• Effective counseling
• Creation of a safe environment
• The therapeutic relationship
• Mutual goal setting
• Characteristics of effective counselors
• The role of unconditional positive regard, empathy and practice of reflective listening techniques
• The 12 steps and Alcoholics Anonymous
• Emotional, psychological, cultural and gender-related roadblocks to engagement and participation in 12-step programs
• Counseling from a cognitive-behavioral perspective
• Learning theory and application of functional analysis to addictive behaviors
• Reflective listening
• Ethnic, sexuality and gender-related issues affecting counseling
• Empowerment approaches

How You Learn

• Lectures
• Reading assignments
• Participation/discussions
• Role-play of counseling situations
• Final paper