Substance Use & Addiction:
Effects, Risks, & Harm Reduction Strategies for Clients
With Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT
Dear Mental Health Professional,
Jerry is alive because of his therapist.
When Jerry was referred to a therapist following a near-fatal fentanyl overdose, he expected the same old story: Get off fentanyl, and then I'll see you.
Many therapists refer out drug-using clients because they are uninformed about substance use disorders.
Many mental health trainings tend to teach that:
Our brains get addicted to certain substances
All drugs are basically the same (i.e. "bad" and addictive)
One has to stop their addiction before they can be treated for underlying conditions
But what if that information is wrong?
The truth is:
Mental health and substance use are intertwined
Putting mental health and substance use in different 'silos' is harmful to clients
People can (and should) get treated for underlying mental health issues even if they're still using drugs
Kimberly May is a substance use specialist who teaches other therapists about drugs, substance use disorders, and treatment options. Kim was Jerry's therapist.
Kim will show you how she worked from a place of compassion and knowledge with Jerry to transform misconceptions and judgments about substances (and the people who use them) into effective strategies that empower clients to be safer and lead healthy lives.
When Kim worked with Jerry, she was able to offer options that aligned with his goals. In this course, you'll learn to look at substance use on a continuum. From abstinence-based, medical, harm reduction, or ancient and emerging treatments, you'll have more options for your clients and a healthier community.
You don't have to refer clients out and, in fact, you might just save a life if you don't.
Warmly,
Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT &
Academy of Therapy Wisdom
Your job as a therapist - even if you're not an addiction specialist - is to understand addiction. You need to know:
How various substances affect humans
How and why people get addicted to them
Treatment options for each unique situation
How to help your clients be safe and healthy even while using
So sign up now for Kimberly May's concise, accessible and urgently-needed training!
Did You Know?
In the U.S., an estimated 43 million people meet six of the eleven DSM criteria for severe substance use disorder. Of those, only 6% received treatment.
As mental health professionals, we cannot assume that people are getting the substance use treatment they need. They may show up in your office with other complaints, symptoms, or conditions, in addition to addiction. When substance use becomes apparent, you need to be prepared to help them.
"Addiction is not a disease; it's an adaptation."
- Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT
After completing this course, you will:
Approach substance use discussions with confidence and compassion, backed by factual information.
Possess a blend of harm-reduction tools and abstinence methods to help your clients find the right course of action for their situation.
Be knowledgeable about various substances, their effects, risks, and associated harm-reduction techniques.
Understand strategies to help clients reduce substance-related risks.
Feel empowered to discuss substance use disorders without fear.
Utilize diverse treatment modalities beyond just abstinence.
Finally combine mental health treatment with addiction treatment so you can stop referring out and serve your clients more holistically.
In this training you will learn:
Each module builds your knowledge of substances, risks and benefits, and treatment options that empower you to discuss substance use disorders without fear.
Module 1:
Creating Connection Through Understanding
Drug overdose deaths have been increasing with alarming frequency; only 6% of people who meet criteria for a substance use disorder receive any kind of support. In this module, you will learn about the foundations of harm reduction, as well as some key concepts related to understanding psychoactive substances, so you can help your clients stay safer.
You will learn:
The need for safety and connection based on drug use trends
How to introduce the mission and goals of harm reduction
Key concepts and terminology related to substance use disorders
About 6 important neurotransmitters and take a closer look at dopamine and the role it plays in addiction
How harm reduction fosters safety and connection in the therapeutic relationship
Module 2:
Club Drugs
The so called "club drugs" or "mind expanding drugs" are often believed to be without the same risks as "street" or other drugs. Since "club" drugs are often lumped together, less is known about how the individual substances work and the need for more specific harm reduction interventions to increase safety.
You will learn about the following substances (what they are, how they work, why people like them, their risks, and harm reduction strategies for each):
MDMA
Hallucinogens (LSD & psilocybin)
Dissociative Anesthetics (ketamine & nitrous oxide)
Module 3:
Stimulants
Although stimulants differ from each other, they share many similarities, especially how they impact the central nervous system. Stimulants range drastically in their half-life, creating a range of intensity and user experience.
You will learn about:
Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Pharmaceutical Stimulants
How they impact the brain and body and why people like them
The risks and harm reduction strategies for these substances
Module 4:
Central Nervous System Depressants
CNS depressants vary in drug class, but all pose similar risks of overdose. This module covers benzodiazepines, alcohol, and opioids.
You will learn about:
Benzodiazepines - what they are and harm reduction strategies
Opioids, part 1 - what they are, why humans are wired to like them, the experience
Opioids, part 2 - withdrawal symptoms, the risks, harm reduction strategies, and the importance of Narcan
Alcohol, part 1 - how it works on the brain and the body, why people like it
Alcohol, part2 - the risks, and harm reduction strategies
Module 5:
Substance Use and Treatment
All too often, clients with substance use disorders are provided generic referrals for treatment that is unnecessary or does not reflect their needs and preferences. In this module, we explore various treatment options and learn how to support clients into making informed decisions. Also covered is how to incorporate harm reduction interventions into clinical practice.
You will learn about:
How to determine who needs treatment and the importance of person-centered approaches to choice
Traditional and abstinence-based approaches
Medical and harm reduction approaches
Ancient and emerging approaches
How to select a treatment that fosters safety and connection through the implementation of harm reduction plans
"The treatment that is most successful is the one the client wants to participate in."
- Kimberly May
Enroll now
Today Only:
$97
Substance Use and Addiction: Effects, Risks, and Harm Reduction Strategies for Clients
If you are a BIPOC helping professional,
please accept our discounted enrollment price for this course by clicking here.
We are glad to have you with us!
100% Risk-Free Money-Back Guarantee
We are confident you will learn new skills in this online training. However, if 7 days after purchase, you don't believe you will learn anything to apply with your clients, please contact our support team at support@therapywisdom.comand we will give you a full refund, no questions asked.
About Your Instructor
Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT
Kimberly May, LPC-S, LMFT, is a therapist and the founder of Substance Use Therapy in Austin, TX. Kimberly specializes in serving individuals, couples, and families whose lives have been impacted by substance use. She works from a harm reduction model to support people wherever they are on the continuum of use.
Kimberly has worked in harm reduction and community mental health programs since 2009. Her passion is empowering people to make changes on their terms and works to foster this through compassion, pragmatism, and collaboration.
In addition to her clinical work, Kimberly has provided training to clinicians, physicians, paraprofessionals, and law enforcement, all with the goal of enhancing our capacity to do our most important work-helping people be well.
Hear What Folks Who Have Learned From Kim Have To Say…
"...confront myths you may not even know you have been holding about substance use..."
"I love taking Kim May's classes. So many of us do not have enough knowledge about substances and substance use and it is almost guaranteed that at some point in our work we will run into this issue with our clients. If you want to confront myths you may not even know you have been holding about substance use and fill in the gaps in your knowledge, then you will not find a better teacher than Kim. She presents a wonderful mix of practical information and clear interventions all while centering connection, compassion, and kindness in the treatment of those struggling with substance use. Plus, she's funny and entertaining so even in her online classes I stay engaged and learn the material better and with more ease. She is my go-to consultant for substance use issues. I never miss an opportunity to train with her."
- Juliane (Jules) Taylor Shore, LMFT, LPC, SEP
"Kim is a true thought leader in her field."
Kim is a true thought leader in her field; most of the SUD field has not caught up to her. I encourage any client interested in thoughtfully exploring their relationship to substances to reach out to her, and I encourage any clinician seeking active and wise collaboration to consider working with Kim."
- David Walsh, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric nurse practitioner specializing in substance use disorder
"...breaking the complex topic of addiction down to a very relatable subject and process."
"Kim's presentation stood out for the unique ways she is able to connect to audiences by breaking the complex topic of addiction down to a very relatable subject and process. Kim's presentation allowed me to continue my growth and development in practice by shining a light on the connection and individuality each person using brings to each session. Kim has a way of capturing the attention of the audience whether it be a cleverly placed anecdote or a powerfully moving story from a client's perspective. I never had any moment to lose attention or focus."
Dan Escobar, M.A., LPC
"Her take on integrating compassion and connection into the clinical approach towards drugs is extraordinary. It's a game-changer."
"Don't miss the opportunity to learn from Kim. Her humor infuses the material with an engaging energy that keeps you hooked and makes the learning experience both enjoyable and enlightening. It's like learning from a friend who knows her stuff inside out. Her take on integrating compassion and connection into the clinical approach towards drugs is extraordinary. It's a game-changer, and she's certainly broadened my perspective on how to approach this vulnerable demographic.
- Sheila Maglaris, MA, LPC
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