Name
E37 - Distinguishing Between Psychotherapy and Substance Abuse Counseling (1.50 CEs)
Date & Time
Saturday, August 19, 2017, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Marc Wurgaft
Description
The prevalence of co-occurring clients in today's clinical population behooves clinical professionals to have a clear understanding of the theoretical orientation and clinical techniques of psychotherapy and substance abuse counseling. Clinicians are increasingly being presented with a complex set of symptoms, some resulting from external stimuli like drugs and alcohol with others emanating from internal forces such as conflicted emotions and unresolved issues. The session will present a systematic outline from the referral process of a client, through the clinical techniques, to the defense mechanisms employed by the mental health patient and by the substance abusing client. The presentation is based on the premise that though one client may present concurrent symptomatology, the clinician cannot assume that everything can be treated equally. The session is a primer for clinicians to be better prepared for the work they do with co-occurring clients.
 
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
  • Distinguish between the tools necessary for substance abuse treatment and the techniques used in mental health treatment.
  • Define leverage and engagement within the context of substance abuse counseling and psychotherapy.
  • Distinguish between 'being where the client is at,' and 'being where the client needs to be.'