In this course, alcoholism and substance abuse counselors will learn a cognitive/behavioral skill to help clients deal more effectively with traumatic events of childhood or adulthood that have blocked the recovery process and predisposed them to chronic relapse. The course is designed with the more seasoned counselor in mind. It is recommended that it be taken by counselors who have at least one year of professional experience.

At the end of the course, counselors will:

(1) Gain insight into why children of alcoholics (COAs) often have issues of trauma.
(2) Learn why COAs who have trauma issues are at very high risk for developing patterns of alcohol dependency and substance abuse.
(3) Increase their awareness of the close connection between trauma and chemical dependency.
(4) Learn about the connection between trauma, chronic anger, and chemical dependency.
(5) Gain an understanding of how unresolved trauma often leads to an ongoing state of chronic anger which acts as a persistent trigger for relapse back into active chemical use.
(6) Learn about "flashbacks" and gain an understanding of how flashbacks often trigger relapse.
(7) Learn how recalling memories of traumatic events produce physical and emotional states that leave clients at high risk for relapsing back into active chemical use.
(8) Learn why traditional "talk therapy" is often not an effective approach to helping clients resolve issues of trauma.
(9) Learn about a cognitive/behavioral method for helping clients deal more effectively with trauma issues, as well as the memories of traumatic events, called the "Traumatic Event Restructuring Technique."
(10) Learn how to utilize the "Traumatic Event Restructuring Technique" to effectively help alcoholics and substance abusers work through, and in some cases resolve, the traumatic events that have blocked their recovery efforts and kept them from fully accessing treatment and obtaining long term abstinence.

Finish at your own pace!
(1) Read the workbook and complete the open-book exam.
(2) Execute 5 practice sessions using the technique learned in the course with a colleague, and discuss the results.
(3) Choose 4 clients* with whom to use the technique, and describe the technique to each client in a one hour individual session.
(4) Apply the technique with each client in one hour individual sessions, and document the results.
(5) Complete a one hour individual follow-up session with each client.
(6) Send completed materials to Transformations Enterprises.
(7) Transformations Enterprises reviews your materials immediately upon receipt, and sends your certificate by return mail, usually the next day.

* If you are not currently working with clients, you may document application of the skills with friends or colleagues.

• Manual
• Forms for documenting application of the skills
• Final exam