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Paul Gaiser, PsyD
Understanding and Treating Addictive Disorders, Part I&II San Francisco ~ Fri-Sat October 17-18,2008 ~ 9:00am-5:30pm Paul Gaiser, PsyD has been working in the mental health and substance abuse field since 1982. He is a clinical supervisor at 14th Street Clinic and has a private practice in Oakland, California. He has taught extensively on the topic of chemical dependency at California State University, Hayward. He has also treated psychiatric emergencies at the Contra Costa Medical Center in Martinez, California. Understanding and Treating Addictive Disorders, Part I presents historical and contemporary perspectives on alcohol and drug abuse, offering participants an understanding of the social context in which decisions about addiction treatment take place. Also presented are basic principles of diagnosis and assessment, with emphasis on detecting manifestations of alcohol and drug problems in patients who appear for help in a variety of systems. Participants will come to understand the numerous possible relationships between addictive behavior and psychopathology, the basic principles of selecting appropriate treatment, how to recognize the serious health and life threatening medical complications of alcohol and drug use (e.g., hazards of withdrawal) and also how to address them appropriately. In addition to providing continuing education credit for licensed psychologists, MFTs and LCSWs, this course, taken with Understanding and Treating Addictive Disorders: Part II, is designed to fulfill and expand on the state board licensing prerequisite for education in alcohol and drug abuse assessment and treatment. Understanding and Treating Addictive Disorders, Part II enhances and expands on participants’ understanding of addictive disorders, emphasizing principles of effective treatment, recovery-oriented approaches, and strategies and dilemmas of working with alcohol and drug using patients to integrate these into their current treatment. The discussion integrates the most recently accepted and potentially useful pharmacological treatment information and the most recent research findings with respect to the effects of popularly abused psychoactive substances. Prerequisite: Participants must have covered the material in Understanding and Treating Addictive Disorders: Part I, via formal coursework or experience in professional practice. |
