Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction: A Guide to Coping with the Grief, Stress, and Anger that Trigger Addictive Behaviors

About the Course:

This course, based on the workbook by Rebecca Williams, Ph.D. and Julie Kraft, MFT, presents a comprehensive approach to working with clients in recovery from addictive behaviors. This course is unique in that it addresses the underlying loss that clients have experienced that may be fueling addictive behaviors. Counseling skills from the field of mindfulness therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy are outlined in a clear and easy-to-implement style. Healthy strategies for coping with depression, anxiety, anger, and grief are provided along with ways to improve interpersonal relationships.

Publication Date:

2012, Edition 1

Authors

Rebecca E. Williams, Ph.D.; Julie S. Kraft, M.A., LMFT

About the Authors:

Rebecca E. Williams, Ph.D. is a psychologist, clinical supervisor, author, teacher, and mentor. She specializes in recovery from mental illness and addictions. Dr. Williams received her master’s degree in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University and her Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is currently a clinic director at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System. Dr. Williams is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego and adjunct faculty at the University of San Diego. She is co-author of the book Couple Therapy for Alcoholism.

Julie S. Kraft, M.A., LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences. Julie has provided counseling to veterans and their family members at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and provided psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups in community settings. In her current position with San Diego’s Sharp HealthCare, she treats clients struggling with both addiction and mental health concerns.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially addiction professionals, psychologists, counselors, and social workers, who seek knowledge about treating addiction clients. It is appropriate for an intermediate level of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Recognize how emotions, thoughts, and behaviors impact addictions

2. Recognize how underlying loss experiences may trigger addictive behaviors

3. Identify mindfulness skills to use right away with clients in recovery

4. Demonstrate how relationship skills can aid in recovery

5. Determine which worksheets can be used for clients presenting problems

6. Identify five relapse prevention areas that can support the client’s long term recovery