Stages Of Change-A Group Therapy Manual

This is an excellent resource for anyone working in the addictions field to have at their disposal. It utilizes the effective techniques in Motivational Interviewing to move people through the stages of change with group exercises that the creative therapist can adapt to individual counseling as well. It contains consciousness-raising exercises (such as the Audit), Decisional Balance (Pros and Cons) that move people from precontemplation to contemplation into preparation. It utilizes cognitive therapy techniques that can be used to motivate substance users by eliciting and providing specific information to raise consciousness and allow for self-reevaluation. It also utilizes behavioral techniques, such as relaxation and mindfulness exercises that help substance users become aware of and develop coping strategies for lasting change. The exercises are arranged so that the client's seem to be able to grow into the change process from one session to the next. Reproducible worksheets are provided with every session with very clear step by step instructions to assist the counselor through the session from beginning to end. This manual is an excellent way for level I through level III counselors to understand the stages of change model that is really the foundation that produces the outcomes that best benefit substance abusing clients.