Family Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment

Catalog description

This course will provide an overview of the role of alcoholism/chemical dependency in the family system and the various intervention and treatment approaches used in assisting families troubled by substance use and misuse. The course covers a variety of family assessment and intervention models as well as an analysis of relevant and critical issues to consider when working with families during the treatment, intervention, and/or rehabilitation processes. The course will focus on developing specialized skills and techniques for working with families in an attempt to foster family cohesion to confront challenges and to provide students with a context and a philosophy for facilitating families as they move through time. Specific attention is given to the family life cycle and the effect of risk factors, such as disability, chronic illness or substance use disorders on the family. Prerequisite(s): PSY 281; pre- or co-requisite PSY 255. Three lecture hours per week.