I’d Like to Work One-on-One with a CRAFT Counselor

AiR member Ava wrote in:

“This is a great resource, and helpful. One thing I would like to see are resources for family members who want individual support. Are there counselors out there who are familiar with this approach? I don't find it helpful when someone I am consulting tells me to just turn my back on my son. I would like to have a resource for myself, someone who can listen and advise, with an up to date understanding of addiction, CRAFT etc.”

CRAFT Counselors are Few and Far Between

Considering how much CRAFT has been studied, it is poorly disseminated across the country. One reason for this is that insurance doesn’t reimburse therapy for the family.  You need to be the identified patient in order for the work with a therapist to be reimbursed.

The person who developed the approach at the University of New Mexico does provide a short list of CRAFT-certified providers:

https://www.robertjmeyersphd.com/download/CertifiedTherapists.pdf

We built this site to promote CRAFT and to make it accessible to everyone.  I understand that the site isn’t a substitute for solid therapy but there are a few ways it can still be quite useful.
 

How to Get the Most out of This Site:
 

1) As you just did, ask your questions.  Reach out to others on the site who are using CRAFT in their life. The internal email allows you to maintain your privacy.

2) The blog posts provide answers to questions our members have brought up.  I’m certain there will be some posts you will relate to.

3) Find a therapist you like and provide him/her with this site. Ask them to work through the Video Modules and Key Observation exercises together with you. 

4) We’re also piloting a hybrid group for families in Eastern Massachusetts, where a trained therapist uses our learning modules to run a group. Contact Kate Donahue at the Lahey Clinic at 978-739-7664.
 

Agreed, families need trained help to navigate the difficulties of life with someone abusing alcohol or drugs. CRAFT is the only approach that goes beyond just an intervention to help families address all the situations that come up.

The science proves that turning your back on a Loved One isn’t the answer. People with addiction need to know they are loved, that support for getting help is available to them. They need to be treated with dignity. Meanwhile, you need to be supported, so you can react in ways that unblock the situation and allow your Loved One to move towards recovery.

We hope that this website, with the personalized guidance we provide, the solid CRAFT-based teachings, and the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations, will meet at least some of your needs and move you forward.