Episode #465: Treating Substance Abuse For Non Substance Abuse Therapists, feat. Betsy Byler

In today's podcast, guest Betsy Byler, MA.,LPC-SAS, LPCC, ICS joins Allison to explain that substance abuse is more within each therapist's scope than they think. She also shares some considerations for your own line of comfort within your scope of practice and where the line is to refer out to a specialist instead.

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About Betsy Byler, MA.,LPC-SAS, LPCC, ICS:

It is my passion and mission to share with therapists the ways they can address substance use using their existing skills. I love taking topics that are typically aimed at substance use counselors and sharing them in a way that is relevant and tailored to meet our needs.

I’ve spent much of my career training therapists to feel comfortable talking with their clients about substance use. I am able to take substance use information and principles and translate them into the world of mental health. We aren’t all going to be substance use specialists, and we don’t need to be!

Instead, by adding substance use to your scope, you can expand your ability to treat the whole person and better meet your client’s need, bringing more hope, healing and freedom to the people you serve.

I’ve been a therapist since 2003. I have a passion for treating trauma, working with substance use and training therapists in both of those areas. I’ve been able to work in a variety of different settings from inpatient, to in-home therapy to outpatient therapy.

From the beginning of my career I quickly learned that I didn’t have all the information I needed to do this work. I had clients who were using substances and I realized I had no idea what to do. I had found my way into my own recovery from substances, but I didn’t know how to translate that to my clients. I spent years gathering all the information I could so that I could feel competent in my work with substance use.

When I became the clinical supervisor I committed to myself and to those who worked on our team that we would be able to feel confident and competent in this area. I’m so excited to bring this information to you so that you can bring more healing and freedom to your clients!