Practical Principles for Running Effective Substance Use Treatment Groups
$32.00
This training provides practical principles for running effective substance use treatment groups. It emphasizes the unique therapeutic value of group settings, where shared experiences, mutual support, and skill development foster recovery. Participants will gain actionable strategies for creating a safe, inclusive, and productive environment tailored to group therapy dynamics.
Upon completion of this training, learners will be able to:
- Define the core objectives of substance use treatment groups and their therapeutic importance.
- Explain the top benefits of group therapy, including fostering connection, building skills, and reducing isolation.
- Implement effective strategies to manage challenging participant behaviors and maintain group cohesion.
- Master the essential roles and responsibilities of a group leader to create a safe and impactful group environment.
Social workers completing this course receive 2 General/Substance-Specific asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 hours of Evidence-Based Practices, Substance-Specific and General Skill Building continuing education training.
Course Instructor: Dr. Paul Hardy, D. Min, CSAC, NMAC
Recording Date: 07/30/2023
Recorded Live Webinar with downloadable presentation slides and/or handouts, evaluation, and a required quiz. The learner is required to pass with a 70% or higher to achieve the CE certificate of completion. The learner is able to reset the test until a satisfactory score is achieved. CE Training Workshops, LLC, provider #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/2/2022 – 8/2/2025. CE Training Workshops, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device. For more information about our policies and board approval statements, please visit our FAQS page.
Paul Hardy, D. Min., CSAC, NMAC is a National Master Addictions Counselor (NMAC) with a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. Dr. Paul has thirty years of experience in pastoral counseling, substance use work, trauma recovery, and anger management work.
Practical Principles for Running Effective Substance Use Treatment Groups (2 HR) Syllabus
I. The Value and Purpose of Group Therapy
- Understand group therapy as a powerful tool in substance use and mental health treatment
- Review therapeutic forces including hope, universality, altruism, and social learning
- Recognize the corrective emotional and social experiences groups provide
- Address the role of group cohesion, catharsis, and mutual support
II. Goals of Group Therapy
- Provide a safe, stigma-free environment for emotional expression
- Develop behavioral templates and model healthy coping
- Create mutual support systems and normalize recovery struggles
- Teach communication and social skills
- Build confidence and self-efficacy through shared progress
- Promote emotion regulation and practical coping strategies
III. Benefits of Group Therapy
- Offer a realistic social microcosm to relearn interpersonal functioning
- Reduce isolation and encourage connection
- Improve communication and listening skills
- Provide a wide range of feedback and foster self-awareness
- Offer practice for new skills in a safe environment
- Allow therapists to observe client interaction styles firsthand
- Encourage vulnerability and accountability
- Build lasting peer support and community connection
IV. Types of Groups
- Task Groups: structured with concrete goals
- Psychoeducational Groups: focus on prevention and learning
- Counseling Groups: support interpersonal problem-solving
- Psychotherapy Groups: address deeper psychological issues
- Support and Self-help Groups: offer mutual aid and connection
V. Addressing Common Group Challenges
- Troubleshoot behaviors like silence, denial, anger, dominance, and crosstalk
- Understand roles including Silent Sherry, Angry Al, Debbie Downer, and Enabling Elaine
- Apply structured facilitator interventions to redirect and re-engage members
- Reinforce group rules and establish accountability through boundaries and expectations
VI. Facilitator Roles and Responsibilities
- Build trust and provide a safe therapeutic container
- Supervise group conduct and maintain norms
- Guide discussions while remaining non-directive and observant
- Balance empathy with leadership and structure
- Model healthy boundaries and reflective dialogue
VII. Practical Group Activities and Discussion Prompts
- Use buzz groups to collaboratively solve challenges like relapse, triggers, and resentments
- Explore themes such as gratitude, healing the inner child, and mindfulness
- Introduce exercises that encourage self-reflection, emotional regulation, and group cohesion
