Target audience: social workers

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss advantages of group therapy and the modification of group therapy approaches in the treatment of substance use disorders.
2. Discuss the five main types of groups commonly used in substance use disorder treatment.
3. Discuss criteria for the placement of clients in groups including assessing client readiness for group and stage of client recovery placement considerations.
4. Discuss fixed and revolving membership groups and phase-specific group tasks.
5. Discuss group leadership skills and competencies.

This Reading-based Asynchronous course was created in 2019.

Howard Fogel, Ph.D., CASAC, currently serves as the Educational Director of the program. Dr. Fogel received his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the City University of NY and his Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certification from the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). He has taught psychology and addiction related courses for the past 35 years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and is currently a certified Education and Training Provider for the NYS OASAS Workforce Development Training Unit.

This course was developed for social work professionals. This course focuses on group treatment approaches with substance abusing clients.

Topics covered include:

• Advantages of group treatment for substance abusing populations
• Group models commonly used in substance abuse treatment
• Criteria for placement in groups
• Assessing readiness for group
• Group development and phase-specific tasks
• Managing common problems in groups
• Group therapy strategies and techniques
• Group leadership competencies and skills

10 Hours – $135

Target audience: social workers

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss elements of effective motivational counseling approaches and special applications of motivational interventions for substance use disorder treatment.
2. Discuss the core skills and basic processes of motivational interviewing.
3. Discuss strategies to develop rapport, build trust, and raised doubts and concerns about client substance use for individuals in the precontemplation stage.
4. Discuss strategies to normalize and resolve ambivalence and help tip the decisional balance toward change for individuals in the contemplation stage.
5. Discuss strategies to help individuals move through the final stages of preparation, action, and maintenance.

This Reading-based Asynchronous course was created in 2020.

Howard Fogel, Ph.D., CASAC, currently serves as the Educational Director of the program. Dr. Fogel received his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the City University of NY and his Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certification from the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). He has taught psychology and addiction related courses for the past 35 years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and is currently a certified Education and Training Provider for the NYS OASAS Workforce Development Training Unit.

This course was developed for social work professionals. This course focuses on the principles and techniques of motivational interviewing and the application of motivational enhancement approaches to substance abuse treatment.

Topics covered include:

• Transtheoretical stages of change
• Principles of motivational interviewing
• Adapting motivational strategies and interventions to client stage of change
• Building readiness and commitment to change
• Engaging and retaining clients in treatment
• Motivational enhancements with coerced clients
• Measuring components of client motivation
• Integration of motivational approaches to diverse treatment populations and settings

10 Hours – $135

Target audience: social workers

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss various issues related to anger management including identifying triggers, the aggression cycle, and anger control plans.
2. Discuss cognitive restructuring, thought stopping, assertiveness training, and conflict resolution models of anger management treatment.
3. Discuss screening, assessment, and treatment planning issues with clients with depressive symptoms.
4. Discuss behavioral interventions with clients with depressive symptoms.
5. Discuss cognitive interventions with clients with depressive symptoms.

This Reading-based Asynchronous course was created in 2020.

Howard Fogel, Ph.D., CASAC, currently serves as the Educational Director of the program. Dr. Fogel received his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the City University of NY and his Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certification from the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). He has taught psychology and addiction related courses for the past 35 years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and is currently a certified Education and Training Provider for the NYS OASAS Workforce Development Training Unit.

This course was developed for social work professionals. This course focuses on best-practice philosophies for managing anger and depression in substance abuse treatment settings.

Topics covered include:

• Nature of anger and depressive symptoms
• Relationship between anger and depression and substance use disorders
• Impact of anger and depression on treatment participation and treatment outcomes
• Screening and assessment
• Techniques to manage anger and depression in substance abuse treatment settings
• Transference and countertransference
• Behavioral, cognitive and emotionally focused intervention strategies

10 Hours – $135

This course focuses on the unique issues of substance abuse among older adults and best-practice philosophies for treating older alcohol and or other substance abusing clients.

Topics covered include:

• Scope of the problem
• Vulnerabilities and risk factors
• Barriers to treatment
• Use and abuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications
• Screening and assessment,
• Referral and treatment issues
• Measurement of multidimensional outcomes for older adults
• Legal and ethical considerations

10 Hours – $135