Advanced Certificate in Addiction Counselling: Level 2

Certificate Program Overview: 

Dates: April 17 and 18, May 16 and 17, 2019

Facilitator: Ian Robertson, MSW., RSW.

Prerequisite: Certificate in Addiction Counselling: Level 1 or equivalent training and/or addiction counselling work related experience.

This training is suitable for: Mental Health Professionals: front-line workers (nurses, clergy, social workers, residential workers), counselors and psychotherapists who provide services to vulnerable populations.

In this 2-module certificate program, you must complete all 4 days to obtain the certificate. Please note: the individual modules can be taken separately but you will not receive the certificate.

Overview:

The Level 2 Addiction Certificate focuses on the applied clinical skills required to support the development of individualized, trauma sensitive, relapse prevention and recovery oriented treatment plans. Understanding the high prevalence of trauma for clients within addictions and mental health, developing recovery oriented treatment plans need to be grounded from a trauma sensitive approach.  Linking trauma responses/re-enactment to substance use, as a means to manage feelings of "too much" (over arousal) or "too little" (dissociative) and developing recovery plans for addressing both in an individualized way is the main focus of this advanced certificate in addictions.

Individual Module Overview:

Module 1: Recovery Enhancement and Relapse Prevention 

Date: April 17 and 18, 2019

Facilitator: Ian Robertson, MSW, RSW

Overview:

In this workshop, you will explore multi-model approaches to structuring and strengthening relapse prevention for clients who are in early recovery.  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as well as mindfulness and Motivation Interviewing therapies are incorporated into this workshop, demonstrating how you can use these approaches to maximize your client's abilities to enhance their recovery. You will learn the stages of relapse, determinants to relapse, assessment phase, craving/trigger cycle, abstinence violation effect, managing craving and unwanted emotions mindfully, ways to enhance self-efficacy and motivation to change using strength-based approaches.  This training is suitable for Mental Health and Medical Professionals, as well as Direct Service Workers.

This training will explore:

• Using CBT with relapse prevention and recovery enhancement
• Providing a learning overview of relapse prevention theoretical perspectives
• Using and applying clinical CBT approaches with relapse prevention
• Apply enhancing motivation for recovery through the use of Motivational Interviewing for relapse prevention and recovery enhancement
• Providing an evidence-based, clinically structured approach for relapse prevention
• Clinical craving/urge management approaches including mindful-based sobriety, CBT and structured safety planning

Module 2: Understanding Trauma, Victimization and its Clinical Implications Within the Work

Dates: May 16 and 17, 2019 

Facilitator: Ian Robertson, MSW., RSW

Overview: 

Recent research has confirmed what addiction treatment providers already knew to be true: the large majority of people who suffer from addiction issues also have a history of trauma and/or victimization.  Experiences of trauma can cause lasting psychological and physiological effects including deficiencies in emotional regulation, problem solving and impulse control. This, in turn, can lead to the use of alcohol, drugs and/or addictive behaviours as a "functional fit" to cope with overwhelming emotions, physical dysregulation and other post-traumatic symptoms. This two-day workshop explores the connection between trauma and addiction with a focus on providing knowledge, tools and resources to effectively serve clients who are dealing with both trauma and addiction issues.

This training will explore:

• Integrating and applying a trauma sensitive clinical lens when working with individuals and within the agency
• The link between trauma and addiction, including the neurobiology, physical and emotional responses of trauma and how they intersect with addictions
• The role of attachment and addictions
• Developing a trauma-informed service delivery model
• The role of compassion fatigue when providing treatment to individuals with trauma/addictions
• The role of addiction as a survival/coping strategy for traumatic memories and symptoms
• The best practices for treating trauma
• Providing tools and practical strategies to regulate autonomic arousal and trauma-related emotions and body sensations without resorting to addictive behaviours
• Explain and demonstrate strategies for flashback management
• Helpful trauma treatment models
• The Seeking Safety Model
• ATRIUM Model - Addictions and Trauma Integrated Model

*Photography is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted in the content is a model, except where indicated.