OETAS > SUMMER CATALOG > July Course Descriptions

Addressing the Specific Treatment Needs of Women - M. Lynn Smith, MA, LCADC Professional Trainer and Consultant in the field of Co-Occurring Disorders, Huntsville, AL

This class will explore the specific biopsychosocial needs of women and address the most common treatment challenges. Trauma informed treatment and frequently encountered co-occurring disorders will be covered. Practical application of gender responsive treatment principles will be the primary objective. Demonstration, role play and problem solving will be utilized to give the class participants an opportunity to experience and practice appropriate techniques and interventions. This class is appropriate for individual clinicians as well as supervisors and managers looking for ways to make their programs more gender responsive. Class size will be limited to 20 participants to facilitate experiential learning.
Applies towards the specialized training requirements for the State of Maryland’s position classification of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Advanced.

Assessment: The Foundation for Recovery - Charles Murphy, MA, LCADC, Clinical Director, Prince George's County Health Department, Clinton MD and Consultant, Baltimore, MD

The concept of assessment in the Substance Abuse field is routinely misunderstood and in many ways provides an incomplete view of the patient. Though data gathering is important, it must be done with a focus that moves towards a plan that sustains the patient in all phases of recovery. In today’s milieu, we must look at assessment tools and other information gathering methods as a means to develop a more comprehensive strategy that moves beyond simply providing treatment. A more holistic approach to this chronic disease would reap significant benefits for the patient and the clinician. In this course, a comprehensive assessment which will include the patient’s recovery capital, recovery support systems, community resources, etc. It will be highly interactive and participants should have a basic understanding of the assessment process.

Brief Strategic Family Therapy for Adolescent Substance Abuse - Ron Miller, MA, LCPC, Clinical Supervisor (Retired), Child and Adolescent Family Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County, MD

Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BFST), a SAMHSA model program, is a short-term, problem-focused therapeutic intervention targeting adolescents and their families who are experiencing substance abuse and other dysfunctional behaviors. In this course, participants will get an overview of this model including diagnosing family system problems; the therapeutic relationship; producing the change process; and engaging the family in treatment. This highly experiential class will employ discussions of case examples (provided by the students), role-plays, as well as didactic presentations. A model of clinical supervision will be presented and utilized by the class as a means of structuring the presentation experience. Each participant will receive a BSFT manual and resource material.
Applies towards the specialized training requirements for the State of Maryland’s position classification of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Advanced.

Cognitive Behavior Care - Jeff Gary, PhD, Clinical Director, First Step, Baltimore, MD

Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely used to treat a variety of conditions and problems associated with addiction and mental illness, where changing behavior or emotions is the primary goal. Predicated on the theory that our beliefs of “self” significantly impact the thoughts and emotions we experience in response to life events, cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to change behavior through identifying irrational and illogical thoughts that result in irrational behavior. Gain a thorough knowledge of cognitive behavioral theory and techniques in this course. You will learn how to apply cognitive behavioral therapy to the process of counseling addicted patients.

Complexities of Mental Health and Substance Use Problems in Late Life - Kim Burton, Director of Older Adult Programs, Mental Health Association of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

Treatment need for substance abuse among older adults is expected to grow 150% from 2000 to 2020. Gray hair and wrinkles are nothing compared to the inner changes and psychosocial circumstances that come with aging. Many late life changes present new vulnerabilities and urgent concerns with regard to mental health and substance use problems. This interactive course will examine the complex interplay of late life biological, functional, psychosocial and cognitive changes as they relate to co-occurring disorders. With a lack of geriatric practitioners for the fastest growing segment of Maryland’s population (adults over age 65), it is extremely important that we are competent to meet the unique assessment, treatment and recovery needs among older adults.
Applies towards the specialized training requirements for the State of Maryland’s position classification of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Advanced.

Dual Diagnosis: Assessment and Clinical Issues - Anthony Swetz, PhD, Psychologist, Springfield Hospital Center, Sykesville, MD

Addictions practitioners will increase their knowledge of the characteristics of substance abuse patients with psychiatric disorders, become familiar with the elements of a comprehensive assessment, and gain an awareness of effective treatment approaches in this overview course. Additional topics include clinical issues encountered when working with the patient with co-occurring disorders, characteristics of specific diagnoses, treatment approaches based on the diagnosis, relapse prevention, systems collaboration in the treatment of this population.
Prerequisites: introductory addictions course, screening and assessment course. Applies toward Co-Occurring Disorder Specialty Certificate and the specialized training requirement’s for the State of Maryland’s position classification of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Advanced.

Grant Writing and Budget Management - Arnold Ross, CPA, Chief of Administration, Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Baltimore, MD

This course will help participants learn both the processes and the technical skills involved in creating grant narratives and budgets. Participants will practice the skills required to describe services within a jurisdiction, detail relevant program policies and practices, consider environmental factors, and identify jurisdiction planning, with an emphasis on writing in a concise yet complete style. The skills necessary to develop a program budget, including estimating costs and developing calculation formulas will be addressed.
Applies towards the specialized training requirements for the State of Maryland’s position classification of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, Supervisor.