Founder and Director Tatarsky Institute New York, New York
Session Description: This workshop will introduce Andrew Tatarsky’s Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP) as a treatment that is relevant and effective for the vast majority of people with problematic and addictive substance use.
Harm reduction is increasingly being embraced as a framework what can enhance the effectiveness of addiction and mental health care across the continuum of care. Harm reduction meets people wherever they are ready to begin their positive change journeys, embraces the full range of positive change goals and emphasizes empowerment and collaboration between the provider and participant. IHRP techniques are uniquely tailored to each person. A central focus on therapeutic alliance and relationship creates a safe context in which to clarify the meanings and functions of problematic behavior, enhance self-regulation and develop alternative healthier, self-affirming solutions. IHRP addresses related personal and lifestyle issues concurrently with the problem behavior.
This workshop will introduce harm reduction and its core principles as a frame for helping relationships. We will discuss IHRP’s clinical rationale and supporting psychobiosocial theory. IHRP has mapped the therapy in seven therapeutic tasks will be described. The workshop will combine lecture, discussion, case vignettes and experiential practice of specific techniques that practitioners can bring to their practices immediately. Attendees will learn practical strategies for engaging active substance users, promoting enhanced affect regulation, working with ambivalence as a motivational strategy and clarifying positive change goals and working toward achieving their goals.
Learning Objectives:
After this activity participants should be able to
• List the four basic principles that define the harm reduction frame.
• Identify the primary limitation of traditional abstinence-only treatment.
