January 2020
Frustrations, frustrations – what kind are they and what to do; visioning a new year and decade
December 2019
Thinking beyond medication; “Just give me medication”; consumerism and loving yourself
In SAVVY, ASAM’s revamped definition of addiction and finding the balance between medication and psychosocial treatments. Consider effective alternatives to medication. In SKILLS, what to do with requests for medication for chronic pain and addiction. In SOUL, Santa, shopping and self-love. Adam Roa on “How to Truly Love Yourself”.
November 2019
Lessons learned from my journey to India and Japan; travel tips; Laughter Meditation; Sharing Solutions
October 2019
Two STUMP THE SHRINK questions on passive compliance and substance use while in treatment; customer-focused and friendly
September 2019
What are social determinants of health? Aging providers and the next generation
Welcome to the September edition of Tips and Topics (TNT). My heartfelt thanks to the many readers who took the time to write and share their support and feelings about the
August all-SOUL edition.
This month in SAVVY, the focus is on social determinants of health.
In SKILLS, it is important to assess and include social determinants in treatment planning, not as an afterthought or “discharge planning” task.
In SOUL, a guest contributor asks “how do we capture our faith, skills and experiences in order to share and pass them along to the next generations of professionals?”
August 2019
All SOUL – grief, loss, and moving forward. Perspectives from my children and me.
July 2019
Behavior Contracts – the good, the bad and how to move away from them; Surpises about food and the environment
In SAVVY, we focus on the advantages and disadvantages of Behavior Contracts.
In SKILLS, I invite you to delete Behavior Contracts from your clinical toolkit.
In SOUL, I was shocked to learn that that a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from putting food on the table.
June 2019
What to do about addiction clients with prescribed, potentially addictive medications; Pickleball anyone?
In SAVVY and STUMP THE SHRINK, I respond to a question on what to do about psychiatric prescriptions for benzodiazepines and amphetamines in addiction treatment.
In SKILLS, assessment needs a skilled clinician who is savvy about addiction and mental illness who can evaluate specific diagnostic and treatment questions.
In SOUL, I was introduced to Pickleball and now exercise could actually be fun for me.
May 2019
Lying and dishonesty in Treatment Courts and what to do; using ACCEPT with dishonesty; update on my grief process.
Welcome to the May edition of Tips and Topics (TNT). A special welcome and thanks to those readers who have been with me from the beginning and wrote to express their appreciation through all the years.
In SAVVY and STUMP THE SHRINK, I respond to a question on what to do about lying and dishonesty in Drug Courts – what is the role of sanctions?
In SKILLS, what is the role of treatment and judges and court teams when participants lie? Using ACCEPT as a structure to guide what to do.
In SOUL, I update where I am in my grieving process. It helps me to reflect and I hope helps you understand grief too.