Why learning about Substance Use is important for Therapists with Betsy Byler, MA LPC [Episode 68]

<p>A curious thing about many regular counseling and social work programs--there isn't much time spent about how to treat substance use disorder.<a href='https://www.addictioncenter.com/news/2021/01/2020-deadliest-year-drug-history/'> Even though in the USA, 2020 was the deadliest year on record for drug use related deaths!</a> Now there are entire programs in graduate schools where substance use disorder and treatments are the focus, but for your average therapist practicing psychotherapy--they may not have the knowledge about how the drugs interact w/ mental health, empirically-proven treatments, and the drugs themselves to feel confident in helping someone struggling with any type of substance use disorder. </p> <p>In this episode, Paul Krauss MA LPC and Betsy Byler, MA LPC discuss her work in helping to educate therapists about the treatments available, the substances themselves, and best practices so that they can better serve the communities they practice in.</p> <p><a href='http://www.betsybyler.com/'>Betsy Byler, MA, LPC-SAS, ICS, LPCC</a> is a mental health therapist, substance abuse counselor and clinical supervisor. After serving as the director of an agency she moved into private practice in 2019 and continued seeing clients for treatment of trauma and substance abuse. In the fall of 2020 she launched a podcast called <a href='https://betsybyler.com/podcast/'>All Things Substance</a> aimed at helping therapists gain the information they need to add substance use to their scope of practice. </p> <p><a href='https://www.betsybyler.com'>https://www.betsybyler.com</a> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/Betsybylercom-105965757940589'>https://www.facebook.com/Betsybylercom-105965757940589</a></p> <p><a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-byler-66128b203/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-byler-66128b203/</a> <a href='https://twitter.com/BetsyByler'>https://twitter.com/BetsyByler</a></p> <p>Betsy Byler, MA, LPC-SAS, ICS, LPCC Mental Health Therapist, Substance Abuse Counselor, Clinical Super