This division was created in response to the dramatic rise in substance abuse problems in recent years and the corresponding need for psychologists to help combat this enormous problem. The Division on Addictions is dedicated to promoting the greater involvement and proficiency of psychologists in treatment, research, and social policy of alcoholism, drug abuse, and other addictions. It also addresses the problem of psychologists who are impaired by addiction.

http://www.fundacionparentesis.cl/fundacion-parentesis-expande-su-seminario-a-tres-ciudades-del-pais/

This graduate-level noncredit professional certificate program offers licensed and license-eligible mental health and substance abuse practitioners specialized training in the theory and application of harm reduction psychotherapy. Certificate participants will gain knowledge and practice skills to enhance their credentials and further their careers in this field.Classes for this program will be co-taught by Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, the developer of Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP), and Dr. Jenifer Talley, a close collaborator in its continuing evolution. They are founder/director and assistant director, respectively, at The Center for Optimal Living, an outpatient treatment and professional training center in New York City using methods based on IHRP. Guest lecturers, to be announced, with expertise in specific topics will teach several classes throughout the year.Career PossibilitiesDesigned for graduate students and professionals, this certificate program will provide a comprehensive framework for conceptualizing and treating substance misuse and co-occurring disorders from an integrative harm reduction perspective. Clinicians who have this specialized training will no longer need to refer clients to other providers for treatment of substance use disorders and can offer harm reduction psychotherapy services as part of their practice. Knowledge gained through this program can be adapted and applied to a variety of other clinical settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, outpatient and inpatient treatment programs, substance abuse treatment centers, public health and advocacy agencies, harm reduction centers, and private practice.

I am collaborating with the Philippine government to consult to and train program directors and key clinicians in their entire government supported drug treatment system to incorporate Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy into existing services. This is an historic commitment by a country to embrace harm reduction psychotherapy/treatment as an essential part of effective treatment of problematic drug use. We will also be conducting outcome research to evaluate the training's impact on treatment effectiveness.

I have trained and continue to supervise the clinical staff of the OASAS-Licensed Substance Use Treatment Program in Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. This is the first and only OASAS program in New York State to offer harm reduction based substance use treatment.

Delivered two intensive three day trainings in Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy to clinical staff and supervisors who provide home based and in office counseling and concrete services to clients from 10 surrounding rural counties. Along with Dr. Jenifer Talley, I conduct regular telephone supervision and Grand Rounds to support their work and the evolution of their clinical skills. Special foci are substance use issues, complex multiple trauma, trans-generational poverty, Appalachian culture and the broad spectrum of mental health issues.

The Center is a psychotherapy, public education and professional training organization based on Andrew Tatarsky's Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. The approach sees problematic substance use and other risky behaviors as reflecting the interplay of biological, psychological/emotional, social/relationship and spiritual factors that is unique to each person. It is informed by the wisdom of psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, mindfulness and biological traditions. The Center is first and foremost a platform for helping to change the dominant addition/recovery paradigm from the current failed abstinence-only disease model based one to a more complex psychobiosocial/multiple meanings model that explains the diversity within the problematic substance using population and is the theoretical basis for a personalized, compassionate, collaborative and effective Integrative Harm Reduction approach to treatment. The Center does this through its comprehensive psychotherapy center that offers services and showcases the approach, a variety of professional training activities and advocacy efforts.The Center offers private, personalized, comprehensive therapy services. Our approach is based on an appreciation of the unique complexity of each person and it incorporates collaboration, curiosity, empathy, empowerment and respect for the wide range of client's goals. The therapy begins were people are and tailors strategies to each person's unique needs, strengths, goals and preferences. The Center sees individuals, couples and families. The center has specialization in trauma-informed therapy, treating the full spectrum of substance use and other risky and addictive behavior and integrating relational psychodynamic with mindfulness and skills based active intervention.Professional training is offered in supervision as well as a variety of more intensive trainings and workshops. Visit www.centerforoptimalliving.com for more information.