Is your Military Base's Addiction Counseling Program missing an element? The key to effective recovery is a complete counseling program. Substance abuse and addiction are on the rise throughout society, but on military bases, these problems can be even more prevalent - and tougher to overcome. The "macho" culture and the attitude of invincibility so common to younger people support the behaviors leading to addiction and pose a unique set of challenges for treatment counselors. Research confirms that the 12-Step Program is still the most effective way to deal with addiction, and the key to success is your client's willingness to address his or her spiritual nature and acknowledge the power of a higher force in their lives. Yet many addiction counselors find themselves uncomfortable or ill-equipped in dealing with sprituality - the core of the program's success. In the two-day program "Spiritualty: The Golden Key to Recovery," you will learn how to: Communicate concepts of spirituality to anyone - including atheists and agnostics - in a clear, convincing, meaningful manner Introduce spirituality in a way that is ethical, non-threatening, and respectful of diverse backgrounds Find the most effective ways to communicate with religious fundamentalists Adapt spiritual values to the needs of your base and its personnel Become familiar with addiction-treatment best practices at other military facilities Many addiction counselors have not been trained to address the spiritual dimension. Yet they recognize the need to deal with the spiritual realm that makes good psychological sense to themselves and their clients. Without addressing the importance of spirituality in overcoming addiction, the counselor is treating the symptoms, but not the root of the problem. Some say that side-stepping, neglecting, or ignoring the spiritual dimension is akin to "rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic." Tom Legere, Ph.D, CAS, provides counselors with the tools they need to effectively integrate spirituality into their addiction treatment programs. Dr. Legere has led workshops on this topic - tailored to the unique needs of military addiction counselors - for the U.S. Army on three continents, and the U.S. Navy, especially at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL. A dynamic and personable speaker, Tom communicates difficult concepts in a clear, simple and enjoyable way. For over thirty years he has dedicated himself to building bridges between psychology and spirituality, bringing people to an understanding of the inseperable nature of their minds, bodies, and spirits. Dr. Tom Legere, the proud son of a decorated World War II Navy flyer, dedicated the first 23 years of his career to church ministry, dealing with people's religious and spiritual concerns. Seeking to reach a broader base of people, he moved from the ministry to attain his Ph.D in psychology and a national certification as an addiction counselor. In addition to his consulting and lecturing activities, Tom is the author of several books, and a frequent guest on television programs. He maintains a private counseling practice in Philadelphia, PA. and teaches at three colleges in the Philadelphia area. Print This Page