66th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 19

Afternoon Workshops

2:30 - 5:00 P.M.

Workshop 28

Who Says I Have to Stop Drinking:  Harm Reduction Groups and the Facilitation of Motivation

Presented under the AGPA Addictions and Recovery SIG

Chair:                

Jeannie Little, MSW, Executive Director, Harm Reduction Therapy Center, San Francisco, California

Harm Reduction Therapy groups integrate cognitive-behavioral interventions in a psychodynamic group treatment model. They are designed for people, including dually disordered people, for whom abstinence is either difficult or not desired.  Participants will learn how to work with ambivalence and resistance and how to facilitate motivation to change addictive behavior.

demonstration-sharing of work experiences-didactic-experiential

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Understand how the harm reduction model differs from traditional addition treatment

2. Assess motivation to change

3. Practice cognitive behavioral interventions in a psychodynamically oriented group

4. Be better able to manage their countertransference reactions to active drug users.

Course References:

1. Denning, Patt (2000). Practicing Harm Reduction Psychotherapy.  New York: Guilford.

2. Denning, P, Little, J, and Glickman, A (2004). Over the Influence: The Harm 3. Reduction Guide for Managing Drugs and Alcohol.  New York: Guilford.

4. Little, Jeannie (2006). Harm Reduction Therapy Groups: Engaging Drinkers and Drug Users in a Process of Change. Journal of Groups in Addiction and Recovery. V1.

5. Spotnitz, Hyman (1957). The borderline schizophrenic in group psychotherapy: The importance of individualization.  Int. J. Group Psychotherapy, 7: 25-34.