Tag Archives: adult recovery

APA 2015 Toronto: New Perspectives

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Barry Anton, APA President

Barry Anton, APA President

Barry Anton (left and below center), APA President  spoke of the ‘painful’ yet ‘necessary’ changes within APA in response to the recent outside consultant evaluation of the APA relationships with Washington DC. Fortunately, the blemish doesn’t overshadow the terrific work APA continues to do in setting up scholarship and training for doctoral students in accredited centers of health, education, and vocation. Barry introduced this year’s winner of the outstanding lifetime achievement award, Jonathan Kellerman, Psychologist/ Author. A terrific high school jazz band played for the enormous crowd of practitioners and professors who listened intently.

International work is what I do. APA provides me to mix with the international members, and this year new contacts with Peter Kinderman (on right), president elect for the British Psychological Society, and Dr Aceves and Dr. Cervantes from the Mexican Society of Psychology. APA sponsored an international get together with Mary Bullock as host. There is such a tremendous wealth in making relationships with psychologists from different countries. I am proud to be an APA member, as well as BPS member, and Toronto was perfect in bringing together psychologists from all over the world.

Barry Anton, APA President & colleague. TorontoPeter Kinderman, BPS President Elect.Mexico Psychological Society

Identify Trauma in Substance Abuse

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DrR copyDelivering Trauma informed Care. Let’s face it, many addiction centers don’t “do” trauma. However, as Carolyn Baird points out at this year’s CCSAD, 90% of public mental health clients in substance abuse programs have been exposed to trauma, most have experienced multiple trauma, and most homeless with SMI have experienced severe physical and sexual abuse.

How this relates. A licensed referral source who is specifically trained in the co-occurrence of trauma and substance recognizes the importance during intake to thoroughly check for trauma, as well as substance abuse. In knowing the correct way to phrase questions, and the patterns of the patient’s behavior, it becomes clear what impact that trauma has upon the individual’s life and the need for a intact treatment protocol to be in place. This is where the real work begins.

 

Be aware — In program placement, “one size does NOT fit all”, and an acute and sensitive “ear” or awareness is what it takes. Plus collaborative relationships with local private practitioners with expertise in “traumatology” or trauma-specific therapy is crucial for aftercare.

Think about it. Substance abuse is one thing. Trauma generally follows. If you need an informed and sensitive referral source who knows what to look for in your family member’s profile, start here. We will find the “right” program to treat your loved one’s substance and trauma.

Dr. Mark Burdick 877-571-2524 or www.drburdick.com