Psychotherapy Strategies for Clients With Addictive Disorders

Psychotherapy for Clients With Addictive Disorders

Addictive disorders can be particularly challenging for clients. It’s important to remember that behind every diagnosis is a person struggling to reclaim their sense of control and dignity. Not only do these disorders typically interfere with a client’s ability to function in daily life, but they also often manifest as negative and sometimes criminal behaviors. Many clients face judgment or shame, making the therapeutic relationship even more crucial for healing. Sometime clients with addictive disorders also suffer from other mental health issues, creating even greater struggles for them to overcome. Empathy, patience, and a nonjudgmental stance can make all the difference in how they progress through treatment. In your role, you have the opportunity to help clients address their addictions and improve outcomes for both the clients and their families. Through therapeutic connection and evidence-based strategies, you can help restore hope and balance to their lives.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Reflecting on these materials can help you approach your assignment with greater confidence and understanding.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
Engaging thoughtfully with these readings will not only support your academic performance but also enrich your real-world clinical perspective.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To prepare:
Review this week’s Learning Resources and consider the insights they provide about diagnosing and treating addictive disorders. Imagine how these concepts might apply to real clients you could encounter in practice.
As you watch the 187 Models of Treatment for Addiction video, consider what treatment model you may use the most with clients presenting with addiction. Take note of approaches that feel both practical and personally meaningful to your professional style.
Search the Walden Library databases and choose a research article that discusses a therapeutic approach for treating clients, families, or groups with addictive disorders. Select one that resonates with your interests or that you feel could impact your future clinical work.

Follow the Rubric Assignment

In a 5- to 10-slide PowerPoint presentation, address the following. Your title and references slides do not count toward the 5- to 10-slide limit. Remember, clarity and thoughtful design can make your presentation far more engaging and persuasive.

Provide an overview of the article you selected. A strong overview should clearly set the stage for understanding the therapeutic focus and research context.
What population (individual, group, or family) is under consideration? Think about why the researchers chose this particular focus and what makes it significant.
What was the specific intervention that was used? Is this a new intervention or one that was already studied? Discuss its relevance and how it adds to current best practices.
What were the author’s claims? Interpret these in light of current evidence and theory.
Explain the findings/outcomes of the study in the article. Include whether this will translate into practice with your own clients. If so, how? If not, why?
Be honest and reflective in your response—it shows critical thinking and awareness of your clinical strengths and limitations.
Explain whether the limitations of the study might impact your ability to use the findings/outcomes presented in the article.
Understanding these limitations helps you become a more discerning practitioner who integrates evidence with professional judgment.

Use the Notes function of PowerPoint to craft presenter notes to expand upon the content of your slides. Detailed notes can help you present confidently and ensure you cover all your key points.

Support your response with at least three other peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. Explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Provide references to your sources on your last slide. Be sure to include the article you used as the basis for this Assignment. Integrating credible sources demonstrates your ability to synthesize research and apply it effectively in your academic and clinical practice.

Conduct a critical review of therapeutic approaches for clients managing co-occurring mental health and addiction.

References

1. Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2022). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(14), 1283–1296. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra2113230

2. Kelly, J. F., & Bergman, B. G. (2020). Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step facilitation treatments for alcohol use disorder: A review and updated meta-analysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020(3), CD012880. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012880.pub2

3. Garland, E. L., Hanley, A. W., & Nakamura, Y. (2021). Mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement for addiction, stress, and pain: Evidence for mechanisms of therapeutic change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 89(10), 829–844. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000672

4. Witkiewitz, K., Litten, R. Z., & Leggio, L. (2019). Advances in the science and treatment of alcohol use disorder. Science Advances, 5(9), eaax4043. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax4043

5. Flanagan, J. C., & Korte, K. J. (2023). Integrative approaches to the treatment of co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders: A review of current models. Clinical Psychology Review, 102, 102180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102180