Report on Counseling Theory and Method
HSCD 380
CREATE Inc. uses a mixture of evidence based practices and the implementation of multiple techniques. Their philosophy works well with clients from a broad population base and involves an educational & harms reduction approach. Clients are mandated to remain abstinent during treatment with expectations of making better decisions about their chemical use after completion. CREATE’s curriculum is based on the stages of change and they help clients move through the change by providing chemical health assessments, mental health screening, individualized treatment plans, intensive outpatient groups, individualized sessions and continuum of care. CREATE works with a variety of people; …show more content…
Clients receive presentations and discuss readings on topics such as the recognition of cravings and identifying high risk situations that could compromise their recovery. Curriculum materials help clients identify problem areas and to reduce drug use through psycho-education. We last presented on neurotransmitters and the way your brain and body interact with drugs; giving clients an in-depth understanding of the drug taking process and why the mind becomes maladaptive with use. Clients became more aware of the internal interaction and were able to relate that to their recent use patterns; giving them a fuller explanation of what happens when you use substances. Last week I presented on the harmful effects of marijuana because many of the clients were downplaying their use and the harmful effects it’s had on their lives. At the end of the presentation clients were able to understand smoking marijuana wasn’t as harmless as previously thought. Marijuana has many side effects clients weren’t aware of and they were able to relate problems attributed by its …show more content…
I have read past reflections by graduated clients and they overwhelmingly rate their experience 4 & 5 out of 5. I would agree with the 4 and 5 ratings. In most instances all the practices are used in a mixture and implemented appropriately as needed. Only during intensive outpatient group sessions does this steer off towards a 3-4 rating. The rating lowers because of the lack of curriculum and is run by way of group conversation. Topics retain their CBT quality but more often than not, are by “just winging it” and are described by facilitators as “organic.” Many times, topics go off course and could be identified as non-therapeutic. There are two other group sessions during the week; continuing care on Tuesdays and the mental health sessions on Thursday. Tuesdays are primarily to catch up with clients and discuss their progress after treatment. Motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy are primarily implemented during these sessions. Thursday’s mental health sessions are ran strictly by curriculum and the majority of time it is all cognitive behavioral therapy. I would rate the inpatient group sessions 3-4 and both continuing care and mental health sessions a