Psycho-social interventions
a training module
This module assumes you have completed the Talking to People module. You will find an elaboration of the skills you learned there in each of the topics. The orientation is one of dealing with the here and now and the future, and getting on with the task of helping people change. As always you will be introduced to the available evidence to support your learning.
For most addiction problems, including mild and moderate mental health issues, the research evidence points to treatment having a focus on making lifestyle changes and getting support from family and friends. This is why we adopt a behavioural therapy approach.
The module has been designed for use in conjunction with result4addiction. It will take you to the relevant content on the website. You can work through the module topics at your own pace, however, to keep up a momentum we suggest you set a timetable. Each topic has a variety of tasks: watching videos, reading scientific articles, taking in checklists, for example. The four topics are summarised below. Each topic has three tasks to complete. The first task will guide you to the website pages where you can find important background information - explore these pages as much as you like. The second task raises a controversial issue in the form of a debating point - the idea is to stimulate your thinking about good practice.
For the third task, ideally you will have convened, or joined, a Study Group (this could be a peer group, just one colleague, or a trusted supervisor) for your topic discussions. Arrange your meeting times right away and use these as the deadline for completion of each topic. The aim of the Study Group is to sharpen up your thoughts on each topic and reflect on your current practice.
Be sure to add your reflections after each task and save them for your portfolio of professional development. Click where you see the lightbulb icon.
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Topic One - motivational interviewing
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First task: explore the resources for this topic
Knowing your service user’s motivation is the key to deciding where to start your intervention. Throughout this topic think about: i) why is motivation important? ii) how to assess motivation in relation to substance use? iii) what are the implications of those assessments? iv) how do you apply the results of your assessments to your treatment planning and review?
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Second task: the debate
This task takes the form of a debate to raise a controversial subject about which you are expected to form an opinion. The motion is: 'motivating people to change can only happen on a one-to-one basis'.
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Third task: your study group discussion
In discussion with your study group, however you have construed it, this task is about clarifying your thoughts on how to develop your motivational interviewing skills and how you might change your own practice. Take the opportunity to practise with your study group.
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Topic Two - social behaviour and network therapy
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First task: explore the resources for this topic
This topic is about helping people modify their motivation and behaviour with the help of a supportive social network. Social Behaviour and Network Therapy, SBNT, is a flexible, structured intervention that can be applied to most addiction problems including common mental health issues. It is the first choice for addiction practitioners.
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Second task: the debate
The motion here is: 'structured therapies are too rigid to be useful in the real world'.
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Third task: your study group discussion
The task for your study group is about making sure you understand the Social Behaviour and Network Therapy (SBNT) approach and how you might change your own practice. SBNT is a flexible and effective treatment for addictions.
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Topic Three - mutual aid and fellowships
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First task: explore the resources for this topic
This topic explores the role of non-professional, lived experience organisations in helping people recover from addiction and how you might help your service users access them. Mutual aid is widely available and effective as a stand alone intervention or in conjunction with professional help.
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Second task: the debate
The motion for this topic is: 'mutual aid and fellowship support replace the need for treatment services'.
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Third task: your study group discussion
In your study group discussion, plan to go to some open meetings. You will probably find people describing moving experiences. Arranging with a colleague makes it more likely that you will do it. Think about any changes you might make to your practice.
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Topic Four - the place of brief interventions
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First task: explore the resources for this topic
This topic is about the question of how much intervention is best. By “how much?” we mean how long should the intervention go on for, how frequently should sessions occur and how long should they last? Is there an ideal answer to all these questions? Given that, so often service users vote with their feet, it is worth taking some time to think about this and plan services accordingly.
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Second task: the debate
The motion to debate is: 'the briefer the intervention, the more experienced and skilful practitioners need to be'.
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Third task: your study group discussion
You are invited to discuss with your study group the place for brief interventions and how you might use them in your practice. Be sure you understand the skill level needed to deliver effective brief interventions and when they are best used.
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Meet your tutors…
Dr Gillian Tober
Consultant Addiction Psychologist and previously Head of Training at Leeds Addiction Unit
Dr Duncan Raistrick
Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist and previously Clinical Director at Leeds Addiction Unit
Your learning outcomes…
You will be able to…
demonstrate an understanding of motivational techniques
demonstrate a knowledge of psychosocial interventions including how to apply SBNT and brief treatment
understand how mutual aid works and why it is an important part of resonding to addiction problems