HLTH 4531: Assessment and Intervention Approaches in Concurrent Disorders
This course builds on HLTH 4521 with students focusing on the integration of more advanced knowledge, skills and tools required in increasingly complex situations. Students will begin with an examination of care from a systems level and explore how systems shape the delivery of frontline services. The central focus will be on servicing individuals (and their families) who are living with serious mental illness and addiction. Students will blend evidence-informed practices and core behavioural and technical competencies for addiction with professionals through an Interprofessional lens. Consideration will also be given to specific populations. Students will consider culture, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and race and the impact they have on client health and treatment case studies.
Learning outcomes
- Examine primary issues related to concurrent disorders from a systems perspective and the challenges facing addictions and mental health service delivery.
- Describe the evidence in support of current and emerging practices related to concurrent disorders treatment.
- Develop foundational skills used in the assessment and screening of concurrent disorders.
- Develop foundational knowledge and skills to create a contextually appropriate treatment plan (e.g. consider race, age, culture, gender and sexual orientation) for concurrent disordered clients and their families.
- Recognize the unique challenges of providing treatment and interventions to clients with developmental issues and/or brain injury.
- Demonstrate the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the provision of optimal care to those affected by concurrent disorders.
- Recognize the importance of adherence to the principles and processes of treatment modalities in the delivery of effective care.
- Demonstrate foundational skill in the application of selected Evidence Based Practices (EBPs), as defined in the core behavioral and technical competencies for Canada’s substance abuse workforce.
Course topics
- Lesson 1: History of Concurrent Disorder Treatment
- Lesson 2: Screening and Assessment
- Lesson 3: Treatment and Intervention: Developing Competency and Evaluating Fidelity
- Lesson 4: Specific Concurrent Issues in Service Delivery Planning
- Lesson 5: Developing a Framework for Practice
Required text and materials
The following material is required for the course:
- Skinner, W. J. W. (2005). Treating Concurrent Disorders: A Guide for Counsellors. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780888684998
The following textbook would have been purchased in HLTH 4521. Students who did not take HLTH 4521 and/or don't already own the required textbook, will need to purchase it. To do so, please contact Enrolment Services at student@tru.ca or 1.800.663.9711 (toll-free in Canada), 250.852.7000 (Kamloops, BC), and 1.250.852.7000 (International).
- Miller, P. (Ed.). (2009). Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment. Academic Press.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-0-12-374348-0
The following material will be provided within the course:
- Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2009). Substance Abuse in Canada: Concurrent Disorders. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
ISBN: 978-1-926705-28-6
Assessments
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Project.
| Assignment 1: Short Topic Paper | 5% |
| Assignment 2: Case Study: Demonstration of Skill Development | 20% |
| Assignment 3: Evidence-Based Review Paper | 30% |
| Assignment 4: Short Topic Paper | 5% |
| Assignment 5: Short Topic Paper | 5% |
| Mandatory Final Project | 35% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
