integrative harm reduction psychotherapy

Virtual Essentials Training

November 15-17, 2024

10 AM- 4:30 PM (EDT)

Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP) brings a therapeutic orientation to harm reduction settings, a harm reduction frame to treatment settings, and informs all phases of psychedelic-assisted therapy.This training offers a re-humanized view of people who use drugs and problematic substance use and a comprehensive overview of IHRP and its seven therapeutic tasks. You will learn the clinical rationale and supporting theory for IHRP, as well as practical skills and strategies you can apply in clinical settings with various populations. This course consists of a combination of lectures, role-plays, case examples, and discussions. IHRP can be adapted to the work of mental health and substance use professionals and harm reduction counselors, case managers, outreach workers, and peer support specialists. We invite diversity in all its beautiful forms into our training as it facilitates exploration, creativity, and learning. Join the global harm reduction movement and be part of the solution!

testimonials

IHRP Training Essentials is co-sponsored by partners Silver Hill Hospital and The Silver Hill Academy for Research and Education. (SHARE)

Established in 1931, Silver Hill Hospital is a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of psychiatric and addiction disorders. The Hospital has 21 full-time board-certified psychiatrists and admits more than 3,000 adolescents and adults annually for disorders that include addiction, depression, trauma, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders and schizophrenia, among others. Located on 44 scenic acres in New Canaan, Connecticut, the Hospital is especially known for its expertise in treating complex conditions and co-occurring disorders in adults and adolescents.

The mission of the Silver Hill Academy for Research and Education (SHARE) is to provide education for mental health providers regarding the best available treatment in the care of complex mental disorders and addiction, and to stimulate curiosity for ongoing, lifelong learning. We accomplish this through our vision of establishing lasting relationships with mental health providers interested in learning and advancing together the frontier of our field through continued scholarship.

Founded in 1976, Freedom Institute is an independent non-profit. We provide exceptional, highly individualized, comprehensive treatment for people struggling with substance use disorders and underlying mental health issues. We pride ourselves on our innovative, evidenced-based programs. Peer programming adds to our unique combination of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Relational Family Therapy, all proven to dramatically increase success rates for long-term sobriety, and an approach only offered at Freedom Institute.

Course Objectives

  • Discuss of the limitations of the disease model and abstinence-only framework

  • Discover the origins of harm reduction and its core principle

  • Outline the psychobiosocial, multiple meanings framework and how it informs our understanding of addictive behaviors

  • Demonstrate specific skills associated with the 7 Therapeutic Tasks of Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP).

  • Explain the fundamentals for conceptualizing, assessing, and treating substance misuse and other risky behaviors utilizing the IHRP model

  • Identify effective strategies to develop the therapeutic alliance and track interpersonal process issues (e.g., transference, countertransference)

  • Evaluate the impact of trauma on the development of addictive behaviors and how to integrate trauma-informed practices into treatment

  • Discuss mindfulness-based approaches to help manage emotions and foster self-regulation.

  • Practice urge surfing and unwrapping the urge techniques for working with cravings

  • Develop personalized treatment plans for positive change

  • Summarize harm reduction practices for specific substances

We recommend you read Andrew Tatarsky's book, Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems.

Daily agenda

10 AM - 4:30 PM

11:15 am-11:30 AM | Break

1 PM- 2 PM | lunch break

3:15 PM- 3:30 PM | break

Friday, November 15

Today's objectives

  • Introductions

  • Training Overview

  • Clinical Challenges in Conceptualizing + Treating Addictive Behaviors

  • Scientific Revolution/Paradigm Change + Compassionate Pragmatism

  • Discussion of Harm Reduction Principles + Practices

  • Introduction to Harm Reduction Psychotherapy and IHRP

  • Overview of 7 Therapeutic Tasks of IHRP

Saturday, November 16

Today's objectives

  • Multiple Meanings Model

  • Impact of Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

  • Psychobiosocial Understanding of Addictive Behaviors

  • Therapeutic relationships and how they contribute to the healing process

  • Therapeutic Alliance + Engagement Skills

  • Enhancing Self-Management Skills: Building Skills for Awareness and Change

Sunday, November 17

Today's objectives

  • Mindfulness + Self-Compassion Practices

  • Assessment as Treatment: Microanalysis, Unwrapping the Urge

  • Embracing Ambivalence + Decisional Balance

  • Goal Setting + Creating Optimal Use Plan

  • Substance Use Management

  • Special Topics: Groups, Families, Young Adults

  • Takeaway

Please click the link to complete the pre-registration form. Once completed, you will be directed to the payment page.

early bird - $900 | ends October 1
Regular price- $1100

We are now offering four installments via Paypal—details at checkout.
You will receive login credentials and the student portal a few weeks before the training begins.

Trainer

Andrew Tatarsky, phd

Dr.Tatarsky has worked with people who struggle with drugs and their families for over 40 years. Andrew developed Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP) for treating the spectrum of risky and addictive behavior. IHRP brings relational psychoanalysis, CBT and mindfulness together in a harm reduction frame. IHRP meets people where ever they are on their positive change journeys and works collaboratively to support people in discovering their truth and what goals and approach to positive change best suit them. The therapy has been described in his book, Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems, and a series of papers. The book has been translated into Polish, Spanish and Russian. He holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the City University of New York and is a graduate of New York University’s Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He is a member of the Medical and Clinical Advisory Panels of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support. Andrew has trained individuals and organizations in 20 countries. His writing, teaching, clinical work and leadership aim to promote a re-humanized view of problematic substance use and a harm reduction continuum of care that will extend help to everyone who needs and wants it wherever they are ready to begin their positive change journeys.

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