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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Family and Child Development

Department dc:contributor.department

Family and Child Development

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1989

Author dc:creator

• Jones, Katherine Champe

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Little, Linda F.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Stith, Sandra M.
• Scheirer, C. James

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-08012012-040550

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/44115