Treating the Chemically Dependent Family -
A Systems Approach for Substance Abuse Professionals

Part 1 - Principles of the Family Systems Approach

Part 2 - Tools and Techniques of the Systems Approach to Therapy

Part 3 - Guidelines for Practicing the Family Systems Approach

This newly revised and expanded course focuses on how to do therapy with families in which at least one member is dependent on alcohol or other drugs.  It presents approaches and methods for therapists to use in organizing their therapy with chemically dependent families, makes suggestions for treatment strategies, and offers specific, systems-based techniques.  This is a clinical guidebook for working with CD families in the early stages of recover from the disease.

Goals/Objectives

By participating in Part One of this Distance Learning Series, the trainee will:

  1. learn about the systems orientation to therapy for chemically dependent families;
  2. differentiate between systems vs. individual orientation;
  3. develop understanding regarding chemically dependent families as systems;
  4. identify the advantages of working systematically with families;
  5. explore treatment goals for working with family systems.

By participating in Part Two of this Distance Learning Series, the trainee will:

  1. learn about the technique for mapping common patterns in chemically dependent families;
  2. review various case examples of mapping strategies;
  3. identify common patterns that exist in CD families;
  4. establish methods of creating enactments;
  5. examine a variety of other techniques for working with families.

By participating in Part Three of this Distance Learning Series, the trainee will:

  1. identify methods for getting families into therapy;
  2. explore the process used during the initial interview with families;
  3. examine methods for getting families to return for therapy;
  4. develop an understanding of the therapy sessions beyond the initial interview;
  5. look at relevant topics for remaining sessions.
Your Course Instructor:
John T. Edwards, PhD

Dr. Edwards earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia in 1977. He is an Approved Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and has conducted and supervised family therapy for the past twenty (20) years.

He has served as director of counseling in a family health center, clinical director of an inpatient family care program, private practitioner in marriage and family therapy and co-founder of a learning center for family therapy.  Dr. Edwards has conducted numerous training events in the United States and Canada.

He is author of the books Treating Chemically Dependent Families: A Practical Systems Approach for Professionals and Working With Families. He is currently a private trainer and consultant living in Durham, North Carolina.