Developing an evidence-based, multimedia group counseling curriculum toolkit.
Training community-based addiction counselors in empirically supported treatments (ESTs) far exceeds the ever-decreasing resources of publicly funded treatment agencies. This feasibility study describes the development and pilot testing of a group counseling toolkit (an approach adapted from the education field) focused on relapse prevention (RP). When counselors (N = 17) used the RP toolkit after 3 hours of training, their content adherence scores on "coping with craving" and "drug refusal skills" showed significant improvement, as indicated by very large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 1.49 and 1.34, respectively). Counselor skillfulness, in the "adequate-to-average" range at baseline, did not change. Although this feasibility study indicates some benefit to counselor EST acquisition, it is important to note that the impact of the curriculum on client outcomes is unknown. Because a majority of addiction treatment is delivered in group format, a multimedia curriculum approach may assist counselors in applying ESTs in the context of actual service delivery.
Treatment Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA. abrooks@tresearch.org
Adam C
AC
Brooks
Graham
G
Diguiseppi
Alexandre
A
Laudet
Beth
B
Rosenwasser
Dan
D
Knoblach
Carolyn M
CM
Carpenedo
Deni
D
Carise
Kimberly C
KC
Kirby
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000193:education; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000193:education*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D019212:Multimedia; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*