Mental health professionals working with the substance abuse population require specialized training for successful and lasting treatment outcomes. Research has demonstrated that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), adapted for this population, is an effective treatment for a wide range of addictive disorders. "Standard" CBT, however, is often less effective because of the many challenges associated with this population. For instance, substance abuse clients may: 

• be ambivalent about or declaredly unmotivated to change;
• have difficulty establishing a strong therapeutic alliance;
• be in frequent contact with other users;
• feel hopeless and powerless over their ability to achieve lasting changes;
• have difficulty coping with negative mood states;
• lack tools and strategies to regulate their mood.

Tackling these challenges are just a few of the topics slated for our upcoming CBT for Substance Abuse Workshop (October 22-24, 2012) at the Beck Institute in suburban Philadelphia. This three-day experiential workshop will focus on the special characteristics and culture of the substance abuse population. Participants will learn how to develop effective treatment plans (for both individual and group formats), based on a conceptualization of the client and the client's goals. They'll learn and how to organize and address clients' needs and their co-occurring mental health issues. And quite crucially, participants will learn how to stop "the revolving door" of relapse. 

Through CBT treatment, clients learn that their addictive behaviors are the primary pathway by which they experience relief from stress. They learn to identify the specific beliefs they hold that fuel their addictive behavior, they learn how to modify those beliefs, and they learn strategies for coping with cravings and co-occurring symptoms, all of which helps them gain control over their addiction. 

We hope you will join us for this special opportunity. Enrollment is limited to 42 participants; please plan to register early.

- Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., and Aaron T. Beck, M.D.

References:

Beck, A. T., Wright, F.D., Newman, C.F., & Leise, B.S. (1993). Cognitive therapy of substance abuse. New York: Guilford Press

CBT Training for Health and Mental Health Professionals

Learn the fundamentals of cognitive behavior therapy through an experiential workshop under the direction of Judith S. Beck, Ph.D, October 22-24, 2012

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Substance Abuse: A Specialty Workshop

• Develop an individualized conceptualization of the client based on the cognitive model of substance abuse;
• Plan treatment based on this conceptualization;
• Structure and utilize effective group cognitive therapy sessions;
• Identify high risk stimuli and permission giving beliefs;
• Use effective cognitive and behavioral interventions to modify unhelpful beliefs;
• Arm patients with strategies to help them cope with cravings and co-occurring mental health issues;
• Reduce and prevent slips, lapses, and relapses.

A special hour long question and answer and roleplay session with Dr. Aaron Beck is planned.

CE/CME credits: 18

Tuition: $1200*

*Partial scholarships may be available for qualified professionals