Removing the Roadblocks: Group Psychotherapy with Substance Abusers and Family Members - Hardcover

Vannicelli, Marsha

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0898621747 ISBN 13: 9780898621747

Publisher: The Guilford Press, 1992

Synopsis

Based on the author's 18 years of experience supervising group therapists, this quintessentially practical book is designed to help practitioners think through and formulate appropriate strategies in their clinical work. Utilizing many clinical examples, and providing explanations throughout for her interventions, Vannicelli pays special attention to the therapeutic stance -- where the clinician positions him or herself in relation to the patient, and why; and how various strategies and techniques maximize the patient's opportunity for therapeutic growth. A hallmark of Dr. Vannicelli's approach, richly illustrated in this work, is her sensitivity to countertransference and the ways it can be used productively in clinical practice.
Alone among books in the substance abuse field, REMOVING THE ROADBLOCKS analyzes the group therapy issues that arise in the three populations most commonly seen in substance abuse clinics -- substance abusers themselves, adult children of alcoholics, and other family members. The author describes characteristics unique to each population and addresses overlap among them in terms of basic procedures, formats, and hurdles that group leaders face.
The book also differs from most psychotherapy texts by giving the reader an opportunity to "hear the voice" of an experienced therapist as she provides examples of various kinds of interventions and demonstrates how they might actually be communicated and implemented. Rather than reading about psychotherapy or about various kinds of problems, one has the sense of experiencing a thorough consultation with a truly seasoned supervisor.
A particularly useful feature is the appendix at the end of the volume, which provides examples of assessment and intake questionnaires, history questionnaires, ground rules for treatment, contracts, and other practical materials.
Designed for all mental health professionals who work with substance abusers, the book's focus on practical clinical issues also makes it ideal for paraprofessionals. It is an excellent text for courses on substance abuse in social work, psychology, nursing, and other disciplines, as well as for courses in group psychotherapy.

About this title

About the Author

Marsha Vannicelli, PhD, Clinical Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, also teaches in the Doctoral Program at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. She has a private practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her writing, teaching, and clinical supervision focus primarily on group psychotherapy and the treatment of substance abusers, adult children of alcoholics, and other family members.

Review

"This book provides a wealth of practical material for therapists conducting long-term psychodynamic group therapy with substance abusers, adult children of alcoholics, and other family members....Regardless of theoretical orientation, readers will benefit from the author's considerable clinical experience in conducting group therapy with this client population." --G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., Director of The Addictive Behaviors Research Center, University of Washington

"In this book Dr. Vannicelli has brought together all of the important information needed by a beginning or experienced therapist interested in treating substance abusers and their families. In addition to nuts and bolts information about patient selection, assessment, group organization and functioning, the author provides a rich array of clinical examples and guidance in handling the difficulties that regularly arise in ongoing groups. With a minimum of theory and a maximum of practical guidance, REMOVING THE ROADBLOCKS is a valuable resource to any clinician."
--Sheila B. Blume, M.D.

"An important contribution to the field. Thoughtfully discusses the practice of group psychotherapy with substance abuse patients and describes a comprehensive and eminently practical approach to clinical work. I know of no practitioner in the field who would not benefit from this book." --Irvin Yalom, M.D.


"Offers the reader a 'road map' for negotiating the challenging terrain of group work with substance-abusing individuals....A valuable addition to the clinical literature in this field. " (American Journal on Addictions 1992-02-16)

"This is an excellent book....She brings together solid psychodynamic theory with group treatment and organizes it all in a very systematic way so that it can be readily applied to a specific population of patients who usually provide many treatment difficulties for most practitioners." (International Journal of Group Psychotherapy 1992-02-16)

"... a splendid book about a very complicated subject. Throughout the pages, the author demonstrates her competence, talent, breadth of knowledge and rich experience, sharing with the reader in a compelling and personal style that makes reading enjoyable as well as thought-provoking....Every professional, who cares about groups and worked with people in groups, whether in this particular kind of group among the many in the treatment of substance abuse or in any field of human service, can enjoy greatly the reading of this book and can learn much from it." (Social Work with Groups 1992-02-16)

"The book is invaluable for substance abuse therapists. Experienced and novice alike will find useful tools to add to their own clinical repertoire. Ms. Vannicelli presents dynamically oriented group psychotherapy with substance abusers and their families at its finest." (Journal of Family Psychotherapy 1992-02-16)

About this edition

• Publisher: The Guilford Press
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0898621747
• ISBN 13: 9780898621747
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 325