67th Annual Conference

Friday, February 26

Morning Workshops

10:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M.

Workshop 55

Coming Out Of Hiding:  Giving Up Addiction

Chair:

Randy Lehrer, LCSW, CGP, Professional Associate in Psychiatry, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York

Living sober presents a complicated shift for those who have spent much of their lives with addiction. No matter what it looks like, sexual, gambling or substance, addictions keep one in a separate world. Relationships have suffered. The challenge for the group therapist is often the intense desire to return to what was familiar.  Change is hard.  Group interaction affords new strengths.

didactic-sharing of work experiences-demonstration-experiential

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1.  Question the nature of the addiction and how it was utilized to hide in the world.

2.  Identify the role of group in managing old defenses and working with the members to develop

an observing ego.

3.  Recommend new ideas for healthy communication which can be practiced and reinforced over time.

Course References:

Cohen, I. S. (1997). Working with Resistance to Experiencing and Expressing Emotions in Group Therapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 47 443-458.

Flore, P. J. & Mahon, L. (1993). The Treatment of addiction in group psychotherapy.  International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 43, 143-156.

Freimuth, M. (2000). Integrating Group Psychotherapy and 12-Step Work: A Collaborative Approach, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 50, 297-314.