Brief Therapy Plan

Grand Canyon University: PCN 531

Brief Therapy Plan

In this paper, I will describe how I will treat Nate and his family for substance abuse. I will discuss the therapy models I will use to treat Nate and his family and the reasons why I will be using these therapy models. During treatment, I will discuss goals that will be established collectively by Nate, family members, and myself. I will discuss the frequency and duration of counseling. Finally, I will provide exercises, homework, or activities that will be uses during the first session, one during the subsequent session, and during the final session.

The behavioral therapy techniques based on classical conditioning model is the model I would implement. This is the model I would choose because “this model is based on behavior that occurs repeatedly across time but is not reinforced that the strength of the cue of the behavior and the behavior itself will diminish and ultimately extinguish itself. The foundation of this treatment is known and identified as cue exposures.”(O’Brien 1975) “During this treatment process the client is presented with physical cues purposely such as bars or paraphernalia and through visualization scenarios.” (CSAT Tip #34 Chpt 4)“During this process drinking and drugging are prohibited. Over this period of time the extinction process occurs thus leading to decreased activity to the cues.” (CSAT Tip #34 Chpt 4) Nate to realize his triggers that causes him to use that is an important step for recovery.“The study done by O’ Brian and colleagues concluded that cocaine dependent clients exhibited arousals that were prototypical of their cravings when presented with the drug-related cues that reminded them of their use.” (O’Brien 1975)

The first technique I would implement would be the contingency management technique. “In this technique, I would engage in active attempt to change the environmental contingencies that could influence substance-abuse behavior.” (Higgins et al.1998) One goal I would establish is decreasing and eventually stopping the useof substancebydecreasing and limiting his time spent in environments that will influence drug use. At this time, negative behaviors would lead to negative penalties or sentencing. Another goal I would implement for Nate is recognizing his triggers and learning how to cope with them resulting in decrease of drug use. Written contracts would be another technique I would implement to get positive results. “It was noted by Higgins and colleagues that written contracts may be used to implement contingency management. The use of these contracts will specify in the client’s own words the behavior that is to be targeted.” (Higgins et al.1998) Nate would need to understand the impact of the contract seem to be minor but is has the potential to be major because it shows comment on his behave to work hard for successful treatment. It should be known that commitment is an important factor for achieving success and having positive results with treatment.

The frequency of therapy that would be planned by me is two hours a day two days a week. This timeframe is needed because of how dysfunctional the family life is. Nate is so young to be addicted to cocaine and it does not help that his mother an addict also. The first activity I would us is role-playing and reverse role-play. I believe role-playing would be great for the Nate and his family because it gives them the chance to imitate real life situations. This would allow Nate and his family the chance to improve their decision-making skills to handle real life situations. I believe this role play activity would be great for the first session because of the relationship Nate has with his mother and brother. Thesubsequent session would involve a field trip to problem areas high trigger environment. This would allow Nate and his family to be in real life situations and prove that they can make better decisions. In the last session, I will give a written test or exam with different scenarios to determine how Nate and his family will react in the different hypothetical situations.

I believe that Nate and his family will benefit from family therapy because more than one person is using drugs. Nate drug use is a generation effect that needs to stop with Nate. Nate has been mentally destroyed from observing activities of his mother.

Reference

CSAT Tip # 34 Chapter 4

Higgins, E. T. (1998). Promotion and prevention: Regulatory focus as a motivational principle. In

M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 30, pp. 1-46). New York:

Academic Press.

O’Brien, C.P. (1975). Experimental analysis of conditioning factors in human narcotic addlction.