Lifetime Access - ADDICTIONS & COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH
Historically, support and treatment for people who experience addiction or complex mental health difficulties has frequently been provided solely to the individual. However, research indicates that treatment outcomes for the person experiencing addiction or complex mental health issues improve when family members also receive psychoeducation and counselling (Copello, Templeton & Velleman, 2006; Smith and Velleman, 2007; Orford, 1994). More importantly, the family members who are experiencing pain, confusion, fear, anger and a myriad of other emotions are often left out of the healing process and, as such, suffer greatly themselves as a result. In particular, children and teenagers are often left without meaningful and effective support, which can contribute to lasting difficulties for them, including their own use of substances and behaviours (Copello & Orford, 2002). Taking this data into consideration, this workshop will address the following;
- Understanding the reasons why working with and supporting family members and affected others is important, using both data and the clinical observations of the facilitator;
- Understanding the processes and experiences of family members and affected others, using clinical models such as The Continuum of Addiction and Process of Dependency models, The Family Accomodation Process, The Family Dynamics model, The Stages of Change model, The Family Stages of Change model, and The Mental Health Carer’s Journey model;
- Learning pragmatic, evidence-based practice ideas and skills that support working with individuals and families/affected others, using trauma-informed, compassion-based and person-centred practice frameworks;
- Learning strategies to engage the individual, family-system and affected others in ethical and confidential ways;
- Learning specific ways to support children and adolescents affected by a family members addiction or complex mental health;
- Learning specific ways to support parents of adolescents and young people who experience addiction or complex mental health;
- Collaborating with other health professionals who are supporting the family system for better outcomes;
- Practice case formulation and planning using case studies and small-group learning.
Copies of models and case formulation tools will be provided, as well as a resource list and academic references so that participants can further their learning with self-directed research.