Dual Diagnosis

Biography

Biography: ROLAND WILLIAMS

Abstract

This engaging and challenging presentation allows participants to examine the implications both positive and negative of cultural considerations in the recovery and treatment of addiction with fomerly incarcerated clients. We will examine the impact of Cognitive Behavioral Threrapy on achieving positive treatment outcomes and discuss practical applications on CBT in the clinical setting. We will examine how the Recovery movement itself is a culture, complete with rituals, language, bias and prejudices. We will explore the specific challenges members of various cultures experience as they participate in treatment and self help support groups. We will also examine symptoms experienced by formerly incarcerated clients, particularly Post Incarceration Syndome and Institutiionalized Personality Synsdrom. Participants will have an opportunity to identify their own prejudices and bias, and determine how they affect treatment outcomes in the form of counter-transference. Participants will learn specific cross-cultural counseling techniques that will increase their effectiveness and client retention rates. By exploring methods of assisting clients and treatment providers to realign themselves and their practicies we will in turn, discuss how to move past the victimization of oppression and into the Healing of Recovery.