Counseling for Marijuana Dependence, A Manual for Treating Adults (6 hours)

Course overview

This 6-hour course provides guidelines for counselors, social workers, and psychologists in both public and private settings who treat adults dependent on marijuana. It utilizes the Center for Substance Abuse manual for Brief Counseling for Marijuana Dependence (BCMD) that is based on the research protocol used by counselors in the Marijuana Treatment Project. The one-on-one sessions in the manual present how a counselor can help a client understand certain topics, keep a determination to change, learn new skills, and access needed community supports. The course is practical and applied. Goals and Objectives 1. To understand marijuana dependence counseling (BMDC) and the use of the manual. 2. To understand the theoretical basis for BMDC treatment, the tasks of the BMDC approach, the target population, and the sequencing of BMDC sessions. 3. To understand how to assess for marijuana dependence. 4. To understand how to enhance motivation to change. 5. To learn how to change marijuana use through skill building using core and elective skill topics. 6. To understand the nature, consequences, prevalence, and research results of treatment of marijuana dependence.