Upcoming Trainings on Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy for Problem Substance Use

Dear Colleague:

I copy below information about two training opportunites coming up in the near future on Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. Next Thursday, March 26th, I will be giving a free introductory talk on my work at the Washington Square Institute down in the Village. The following Friday afternoon, April 3rd, I will be offering a three hour workshop at the et Ellis Institute on 65th Street in which we will have more time to explore the theory and techniqe of my approach with an emphasis on how you can integrate it into your therapy practice. I would welcome case material and clinical challenges that you have come up against to bring to the discussion.

I hope to see you!

Best,
Andrew Tatarsky, PhD

****************************************************************

Free introductory talk on Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IRP)

Thursday March 26, 2009 @8:30-10pm
Scientific Meeting

Washington Square Institute
41-51 East 11th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-477-2600

Free to Public

RSVP: registrar@wsi.org , 212-477-2600

Effective Psychotherapy for Drug and Alcohol Users: Theory and Technique of Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy

The treatment of patients with drug and alcohol problems has been dominated by an anti-psychological disease model which promotes the view that such patients cannot benefit from psychodynamic psychotherapy and instead require authoritarian treatment. Experienced and well-intentioned psychotherapists have been influenced by this view and avoid treating this population of 35 million in the USA.

I will introduce Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP) as an alternative approach to effective treatment of substance using patients. IHRD is based on a multifaceted view of problem substance use as reflecting the interplay of biology, personal and interpersonal dynamics and social context. IHRD integrates a relational psychoanalytic approach with active skills building to support positive changes in substance use and related issues.

I will discuss clinical challenges and limitations of traditional treatment and the clinical rationale for harm reduction as an alternative paradigm for helping substance users. I will define the harm reduction model, give a little history and discuss its application to psychotherapy. I will discuss the theoretical basis for IHRP including a biopsychosocial process view of addiction, the multiple meanings of substance use as points of engagement and the stages of motivational change model and will explore how to use these ideas to create a collaborative, negotiated therapeutic alliance. Fina lly, I will present an overview of IHRD’s 7 therapeutic tasks with emphasis on therapeutic process and technique.

****************************************************************

Integrating Harm Reduction Psychotherap y Into Your Practice

HALF-DAY WORKSHOP emphasizing theory and technique at The Albert Ellis Institute

Friday, April 3, 2009, 1:30-4:30pm

The Albert Ellis Institute
45 East 65th Street
New York, NY
(212) 535-0822

The Workshop will:

Explore the main tenets of the clinical philosophy of Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy

Identify the three main theoretical bases of this approach: a biopsychosocial process model of problem substance use, the multiple meanings model and the stages of motivational change

Discuss the three domains of IHRP: the therapeutic alliance sets the stage for the therapeutic process, active skills building for assessment, goal-setting and working toward positive change and exploration of the multiple personal and social meanings of substance use

Describe the seven key therapeutic tasks, including managing the therapeutic alliance, therapeutic relationship as healing agent, facilitating capacities for change, assessment as treatment, embracing ambivalence, goal setting, and working toward positive change

TUITION

Regular Registration: $50.00

F/T grad students (with proof of status) $40.00

Call to register: (212) 535-0822

Bio:

Dr. Andrew Tatarsky has specialized in the field of substance use treatment for almost 30 years as psychotherapist, supervisor, program director, trainer and author. He holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the City University of New York and is a candidate in20New York University’s Post-doctoral program. He is Co-Director of Harm Reduction Psychotherapy and Training Associates; founding board member, Division on Addictions of NYSPA, Chairman of the board of Moderation Management and founding board member, Association for Harm Reduction Therapy. His book, Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems, now in paperback, has been published in the United States and Poland. Dr. Tatarsky is in private practice in New York City and trains nationally and internationally.