HPC 5530 - Seminar in Addictions Counseling

Al Greene/Geri Miller

Course Description: This course will emphasize cutting-edge clinical issues and will have a practical as well as theoretical orientation with particular emphasis given to serving rural and minority clients. Classes will meet on-site at community programs and treatment centers in western North Carolina, with guest lectures from program staff. Students will have opportunities for face-to-face interaction with practitioners and clients. Classes will typically be for three hours on Thursday evenings and all day the following Friday; students may be required to make up to four overnight trips during the course. Some limited mileage and lodging reimbursement may be provided.

Goals/Objectives:

1. To expose students to current issues and approaches to therapy with recovering clients in a range of treatment settings, emphasizing challenges and opportunities presented by rural and minority populations.
2. To examine one's own attitudes and feelings regarding addicted clients.
3. To compare and contrast several different treatment programs/settings.
4. To provide students opportunities to meet and interact with addictions professionals from a variety of disciplines.
5. Method of teaching: Lectures, formal and informal interactions with clients and clinicians, videotapes.

Texts:

• Green, A. and Sausser, G. (1994). A Practical Approach to Therapy with the Chemically Dependent Client. Dubuque: Kendall-Hunt.
• Van den Bergh, N. (Ed.) (1991). Feminist Perspectives in Addiction. New York: Springer
• Pamphlets (all from Hazelden Press)

  Bell, P. (1990). Chemical Dependency and the African-American.

  Bell, P. (1992). Cultural Pain and African-Americans.

  Richardson and Williams (1990). African-Americans in Treatment.

  Williams et al. (1991). Recovery for the African-American Family.

• Other readings as assigned.

Course requirements:

1. 20% Attend all class sessions, actively participating in all activities on-site with staff and clients. Be punctual, alert and otherwise professional.
2. 20% Write reaction papers to all assigned readings and to each site visit, including specific feedback on each segment of site-visits.
3. 60% Write a term paper synthesizing your learning from the course in appropriate format with references cited properly. Length 10-12 typed, double-spaced pages.

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