To learn more about the New Canaan Urgent Assessment Program, visit its webpage.

Virtual Grand Rounds: Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Paradigm for Treating Addiction

Presented by:

Andrew Tatarsky, PhD

Founder and Director

Tatarsky Institute

New York

Dr. Andrew Tatarsky’s Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP) provides a framework for effective therapy with people along the entire spectrum of risky and addictive behavior, in all stages of change and working toward all positive change goals.

IHRP invites people into therapy wherever they are ready to begin their positive change journeys and emphasizes empowerment and collaboration to support people in discovering their truth and what goals and positive change pathway best suits them.

IHRP is based on a psychobiosocial model that views biology, personal and social meaning and function, habit and social context as contributing to the addictive process. Each factor must be considered for therapy to be maximally effective.

A central focus on therapeutic alliance and relationship creates a context in which to clarify the meanings and functions of problematic behavior, enhance self-regulation and develop alternative healthier, self-affirming solutions. IHRP addresses related personal and lifestyle issues concurrently with the problem behavior.

This introduction to IHRP will cover basic definitions of harm reduction, an overview of IHRP, its clinical rationale and theoretical foundation, and its Seven Therapeutic Tasks. We will end with a focus on creating safety and alliance and discuss IHRP engagement skills, the therapeutic expression of “starting where the person is.” 

Educational Objectives

As a result of participating in this activity, learners should be able to:

  1. Describe some realities of people who struggle with problematic drug use
  2. Discuss limitations of traditional abstinence-only treatment
  3. Recite five basic principles that define the harm reduction frame

Register

 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom webinar

Accreditation Statement: Silver Hill Hospital is accredited by the Massachusetts Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement: Silver Hill Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

NASW/Connecticut Statement: This program has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Credit Hours by the National Association of Social Workers, CT and meets the continuing education criteria for CT Social Work Licensure renewal. Approval also meets the continuing education criteria for CT LMFTs, LPCs, and licensed psychologists.

New York Social Worker Statement: Silver Hill Hospital is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0728. This program is approved for 1.5 contact hours.

New York Psychologist Statement: Silver Hill Hospital is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0227. This program is approved for 1.5 contact hours.

Disclosure: No one in control of content has indicated a relevant financial relationship with an ACCME defined commercial interest.