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Training on the diagnosis, treatment, and referral of substance abusers and their families in AAMFT-accredited master's level marriage and family therapy programs

Because of the prevalence of substance abuse in America and the association between this issue and common problems brought to the family therapist, it is important that family therapists be trained to diagnose and either treat or refer substance abusing clients and their families. This study gathered information from the Directors of Master's level family therapy programs accredited by AAMFT about the content and format of training that students in their programs receive preparing them to work with substance abusing families. Twenty of the 22 programs were represented by completed questionnaires. Five programs were reported as having a required substance abuse course; four, a popular elective. Three respondents reported plans to increase their coverage of the topic in their curricula.

The average of the responses for prevalence of substance abuse as a central issue in practicum cases was 30%. Although about 75% of the respondents believed that their graduates were ready to diagnose and refer these cases, only 25% believed that these same students were ready to treat substance abuse cases. Data showed that 40% of the respondents believed it advisable for AAMFT to require a separate course on substance abuse. Comments from those opposed to such a requirement noted the crowdedness of existing curricula, the importance of academic freedom, and the abundance of other topics to be covered. / Master of Science

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/44115
Date01 August 2012
CreatorsJones, Katherine Champe
ContributorsFamily and Child Development, Little, Linda F., Stith, Sandra M., Scheirer, C. James
PublisherVirginia Tech
Source SetsVirginia Tech Theses and Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis, Text
Formatviii, 116 leaves, BTD, application/pdf, application/pdf
RightsIn Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
RelationOCLC# 21095265, LD5655.V855_1989.J663.pdf

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