Removing the Roadblocks: Group Psychotherapy with Substance Abusers and Family Members

Based on the author's 18 years of experience supervising group therapists, this quintessentially practical book is designed to help practitioners think through and formulate appropriate strategies in their clinical work. Utilizing many clinical examples, and providing explanations throughout for her interventions, Vannicelli pays special attention to the therapeutic stance - where the clinician positions him or herself in relation to the patient, and why; and how various strategies and techniques maximize the patient's opportunity for therapeutic growth.

A hallmark of Dr. Vannicelli's approach, richly illustrated in this work, is her sensitivity to countertransference and the ways it can be used productively in clinical practice. Designed for all mental health professionals who work with substance abusers, the book's focus on practical clinical issues also makes it ideal for paraprofessionals. It is an excellent text for courses on substance abuse in social work, psychology, nursing, and other disciplines, as well as for courses in group psychotherapy.