Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems

Harm reduction is a framework for helping drug and alcohol users who cannot or will not stop completely_the majority of users_reduce the harmful consequences of use. Harm reduction accepts that abstinence may be the best outcome for many but relaxes the emphasis on abstinence as the only acceptable goal and criterion of success. Instead, smaller incremental changes in the direction of reduced harmfulness of drug use are accepted. This book shows how these simple changes in emphasis and expectation have dramatic implications for improving the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

Author: Andrew Tatarsky
Publisher: Jason Aronson
Published: 06/10/2007
Pages: 392
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 8.92h x 6.34w x 1.12d
ISBN13: 9780765703736
ISBN10: 0765703734
BISAC Categories:
- Psychology | Psychotherapy | General
- Psychology | Psychopathology | Addiction
- Psychology | Applied Psychology

About the Author
Andrew Tatarsky, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from City University of New York. He has a private practice in New York City specializing in harm reduction psychotherapy with drug and alcohol users and is co-director, with Dr. Mark Sehl, of the Harm Reduction Psychotherapy and Training Associates, a treatment and training organization. His perspective on substance use problems has evolved over twenty years of experience working in the area as psychotherapist, supervisor, program director, teacher, writer, and public speaker. He is a founding member and Past President of the Addiction Division of the New York State Psychological Association and Chairperson of Mental Health Professionals in Harm Reduction.