Rethinking the Role of Shame

July 17, 2017
Hosted by Mary Woods

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Episode Description

Clinical diagnoses and negative social expectations can hinder a client’s treatment progress by leading them to fall short of their true potential for recovery. Yet nearly every manifestation of a disorder is unique with its own symptoms, strengths and weaknesses. Clinicians do their best at identifying conditions, causes and remedies, but the reality is that addiction treatment as a profession is an ongoing state of refinement, and labels are approximations at best. Our discussion will incorporate and expand on different cognitive biases such as Expectancy Effect and Stereotype Threat that exacerbate the feelings of shame in the recovery setting. We will discuss how to differentiate and identify the shameful labels used within the field and how they stop individuals from seeking help. In addition, we will talk about helping clients rise above the shame of negative labels.

One Hour AT A Time

Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel

Recovery, whether it is from substance abuse or a mental illness, or both requires a treatment plan, which in many cases is as effective as treatments for other chronic illnesses. “One Hour AT A Time” will increase awareness about recovery and decrease the discrimination against individuals in the recovery process. Host Mary Woods, will help people understand the recovery of adults and families living with co-occurring substance use disorders and psychotic and/or affective illness over the course of a lifetime. Helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge they need to take personal responsibility for their health and supporting individuals in their efforts to get on with life beyond illness has been Mary’s mission and she now brings that mission to the airwaves.

Mary Woods

Mary is the CEO of WestBridge Community Services. She is also a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with more than 25 years experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Mary has conducted extensive workshops and trainings with a primary focus in Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change Theory and Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders. She is also a contributor to the development of the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment Practitioners and Clinical Supervisors Workbook and Practice Demonstration Video. Mary was the Chairperson of the NH State Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professionals. She has been a member of the NH Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor’s Association since 1984, and has served as the Northeast Regional Vice President for the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, President of NAADAC and is currently past president of NAADAC.

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