Integrating 12-Steps Into Counseling. APNC Spring Conference 2015 Austin Smith Jr. CSAC-I

Transcription

1 Integrating 12-Steps Into Counseling APNC Spring Conference 2015 Austin Smith Jr. CSAC-I 1

2 The Debate To Step or Not Dr. Lance Dodes The Sober Truth: Debunking the Bad Science Behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry (Boston Public Radio 3/31/14) Arguments Against: Only work for 5-10% of participants No Scientific Proof of Success Arguments For: Most Important Part of Program is Fellowship, Not the Steps Step 4 Moral Inventory is Sensible For Anyone & Is Part of Good Therapy 2

3 The Debate To Step or Not Drs. John F. Kelly & Gene Beresin Respond (Boston Public Radio 4/7/14) Science Supports The Fact That 12-Step Treatments Are Some of the Most Effective and Cost Effective Treatment Approaches for Addiction Dr. Dodes Psychoanalytical Model Also Has no Scientific Proof of Effectiveness. 3

4 Graph of Evidence-Based Practice Results 4

5 To Step or Not - PROS We Agree That NO SINGLE Counseling Technique Will Work For Everyone Cognitive Behavior Therapy Teaches Client to THINK BEFORE ACTING Twelve Step Facilitation (12-Step Programs) Enhance This Concept Offer DAILY reinforcement AND opportunity to make like-minded friends 5

6 To Step or Not - CONS The Counselor Loses Control But Is The Client Not Supposed to Learn Control? 12-Step Programs Interfere With Counseling Sponsor Takes on Role of Counselor 12-Step Programs Are Too RELIGIOUS 6

7 12-Step Programs Almost 80 years of success Began with Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935 Over 40 Different Programs Are 12-Step Based (Wikipedia) Everything from alcoholics to workaholics & everything in between 7

8 The Bottom Line Do You Explain The Process of Their Treatment Plan? Do You Assign Homework? Why Would You Not Offer (AND DESCRIBE) 12-Step Programs as a Part of Treatment? CAN You Describe a TYPICAL 12-Step Program? 8

9 THE STEPS 9

10 We Admitted We Were Powerless Over, Our Lives Had Become Unmanageable Admission/Acceptance That There IS a Problem Overcoming Denial Powerless Over THE ONE ADDICTIVE Thing: NOT Over Everything Cannot Solve It with UNAIDED WILL Does not require giving up free will but BEWARE of WILL (He ll bite you in the butt). 10

11 Believe (2) No GOD Requirement Here Only Requirement is an Open Mind Open to Help From Some Greater Power Being Humble Does Require Acceptance of a Higher Power Concept Leads to Partnership With & Reliance On a Higher Power! Developing a Belief of Value System What about the idea to let the group be your higher power? 11

12 Decision Time (3) Put that Higher Power into The Game Put that Belief System into Practice Willingness = Redirection of Individual Will Will = Desire Put Into Action (M. Scott Peck, M.D.) Tremendous Weight of Self Will Removed Step Three Is Completed Only When The Client Can HONESTLY Say: 12

13 Native American Serenity Prayer Creator, Grant me the serenity of a dove to accept the things I cannot change The courage of an eagle to change the things I can And the wisdom of an owl to know the difference. 13

14 DENIAL (4 & 5) One of the GREAT Roadblocks to Counseling Success M. Scott Peck Those with character disorders don t see themselves as the source of their problems; fail to see the necessity of self-examination. Assessment and Re-assessment are Required Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory is a Must (GOOD & BAD) Counselor Plays A Vital Role In This Process Encourage Client to Do 5 th Step With You (Discourage Them From Doing It With A Sponsor) 14

15 Gut Check Time (6 & 7) Is The Client REALLY Ready to Relinquish The Defects? Is The Client REALLY Ready to Improve The Good Traits? Is The Client REALLY Ready to Gain New Good Traits? Gut Check Here on How Well Step Three Was Done 15

16 The Plateau Experience (Maslow) Put The Results of Step Three to the TEST Humility Becomes Serenity & Peace of Mind Newfound Solutions to the ROOT CAUSE OF OUR POWERLESSNESS Now Experience a TRUE Spiritual Awakening Freedom From Guilt, Fear and Anger Realization That This Process Can Be Applied to Life In General 16

17 Abraham Maslow s Plateau Experience Def. Has a noetic & cognitive element Becomes a witnessing, an appreciating, a serene cognitive blissfulness. Quality of casualness and of lounging about. (Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences, Abraham Maslow 1964) 17

18 Make Up Time (8 & 9) Amends are Necessary Much Need For Counselor s Help and Support Good Judgment Careful Timing Courage Prudence Guidance is Important Don t Hurt Others Just to Help Yourself Be Prepared for Rejection Opportunity for Counselor Guidance 18

19 Re-Assessment Time (10) Continual Monitoring of Progress Emphasize Positive Aspects of New Life Deal With Negative Aspects AS THEY ARISE Follow-Up Sessions May Be Necessary Celebrate Milestones 19

20 Spiritual Aspects Must Continue (11 & 12) Spiritual NOT Religious What does it mean to be Spiritual? (Your Values Define Your Spirituality) Of, relating to, or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. Spirit nonphysical part of a person that is the seat of emotions, the soul, inner self. Of course 12-Step Programs are talking about belief in a higher power and the strengthening of that belief. 20

21 Positive vs. Negative Spirituality (Positive vs. Negative Values) POSITIVE Trust Gratitude Acceptance Honesty NEGATIVE Fear Self-Pity Resentment Dishonesty 21

22 The Promises We are going to know a new freedom & a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity & we will know peace. No matter our station in life, we will see how our experience can benefit others. Any feeling of uselessness & self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things & gain interest in other human beings. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude & outlook upon life will change. Fear of people & of economic insecurity will leave us. We will instinctively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will realize that our partnership with, and reliance on a higher power are doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. 22

23 Final Thoughts Counselor s Role is Winding Down NOT Stopping Counselor Plays an Important Role in Any Process of Healing Including 12-Step Programs Even If The Counselor is not a 12-Stepper Counselors Lead But Don t Force, Guide But Don t Push You Can t Do IT For Your Clients But You Can Help Them Achieve Success 23

24 The Rocky Road No One Should Go It Alone 24