About the Training:

This highly interactive six-hour training will review best practices for working with clients who have addictions as well as comorbid psychiatric disorders. The presenter and participants will explore various treatments and treatment issues for clients with addictions and mental health disorders. In addition, participants will learn skills to manage their own reactions to clients who present challenging behavior patterns. Case examples, surveys and group discussion will be used to illustrate key points.

This training is worth six (6) contact hours.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify major diagnoses and diagnostic categories of addictions.

2. Discuss treatment approaches to addiction and psychological disorders.

3. Categorize ethical issues that emerge in working with clients with co-morbid addiction and mental health issues.

4. Increase empathy and personal ability to manage countertransference in dealing with clients who present challenging interpersonal behaviors.

Agenda for the Day:

9:00-10:30:

Empathy/sympathy/pity/compassion

Countertransference

Self-care

Neuroscience and addiction

Stages of Change

10:30-10:45: Break

10:45-12:15:

Assessment

Evidence-based treatment Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

Case #1

12:15-1:00: Lunch on your own

1:00-2:30:

Treatment dilemmas

Who is the client?

Documentation

“Manipulation”/Triangulation

Communication/Collaboration

Scope of practice/expertise

Case #2

2:30-2:45: Break

2:45-4:00:

Ethical issues

Telehealth

Case #3

4:00- 4:15: Discussion/Question/Wrap-up

About the presenter:

John earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University in 1996. Since 1998, he has been in private practice in Portland, Maine, providing psychotherapy and consultation services with specialties in addition, trauma, grief and LGBTQ+ clients. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine at Augusta, teaching courses in psychology and addictions. He served as president of the Maine Psychological Association and is currently co-chair of Continuing Education for the APA Society of Consulting Psychologists.

John is an ICF ACC Certified Coach and NBHWC Certified Health and Wellness Coach. He coaches leaders in a variety of fields, including business, health care and the law.

In his spare time, John enjoys motorcycling, skiing, biking and furthering his ability in German.