Practicing Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: An Alternative Approach to Addictions

by Patt Denning, Jeannie Little

This acclaimed clinical guide, now substantially revised and updated, has helped thousands of clinicians put the proven principles of harm reduction into practice with therapy clients who have substance use problems. Written by pioneers in the field, the book shows how to do effective therapeutic work with people still using alcohol or other drugs. It provides clear guidelines for conducting comprehensive assessments, making collaborative treatment decisions, and implementing interventions that combine motivational, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic strategies. The focus is reducing drug-related harm while also addressing co-occurring psychological and emotional difficulties. Detailed clinical illustrations are featured throughout.

New to This Edition
*Reflects over a decade of research advances and the tremendous growth of harm reduction clinical practice and training.
*Section on applications, with chapters on community-based settings, harm reduction groups, and working with families and friends.
*Chapters on biological and psychodynamic aspects of treatment.
*Expanded discussions of trauma, cultural sensitivity, and ethics.
*Supplemental resources and training information at the authors' www.harmreductiontherapy.org.

See also the authors' related self-help guide, Over the Influence, Second Edition , an ideal client recommendation.

Genres: Psychology, Addiction, Nonfiction, Social Work, Drugs

366 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[KP H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose because this book is 20 years old, the content is pretty mainstream in the addictions field now. I didn't find much useful in it that I hadn't already learned elsewhere in my education/practice.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the authors writing style. Very easy to read and follow along. Well organized. It is a bit outdated, but still has useful information.

[Omer Aslam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book gives a good account of the authors' praiseworthy efforts to bring Harm Reduction (a humane pragmatic approach) to San Francisco both as a public health measure and for individual and group psychotherapy. The discussion of psychotherapy interventions is somewhat hodgepodge, though they would prefer to call it an eclectic or integrated mix of various traditions. There is a fair bit of talk about their own psycho-dynamic orientation with references to transference and counter-transference. To their credit, they make various references also to Motivational Interviewing and William Miller; however, their account of actual MI is pretty basic and lacks depth.

Towards the end, they mention a few "common complaints" leveled against Harm Reduction by outsiders, which in my opinion too is where this approach is lacking. Two of these complaints are (in their own words): "that harm reductionists, in their efforts to reduce global harms like HIV transmission, are ignoring the individual's problems with addiction; that harm reduction is about diminished expectations of people we have given up on;".

[Jon De · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book very much; however some the authors ideas towards harm reduction went a little to far. But there is nothing as refreshing then being taken out of your comfort zone and being challenged. I recommend this book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical, human approach to learning how to treat addictions.

[Alejandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if I agree with some of their methods but it is a very different perspective on treatment of substance abuse