THE BASICS Questions and Answers
Q. What is it?
A. An extremely comprehensive curriculum that includes detailed lesson content and handouts for groups, topics and information for individual sessions, and cross training for mental health and chemical dependency professionals.
Q. Who can use it?
A. Mental health and chemical dependency professionals; Service Providers who work with the dually diagnosed population; Professionals interested in cross training in the area of co-occurring psychiatric and substance disorders.
Q. Why do I need it?
A. Approximately 50% (lower in outpatient and higher in inpatient) of those receiving services at psychiatric or substance disorders treatment facilities are struggling with co-occurring disorders. Evidence based best practices state that services and entire systems can no longer afford to assess and treat one disorder at one time, especially for a population who are always presenting with two disorders at the same time. Dual diagnosis is here to stay and that means integrated services are too.
Q. How important is it?
A. Providing consistent psychoeducational information in an integrated treatment approach - while promoting empathy and hope - has become a national priority. The importance of a consistent agency-wide curriculum can't be overstated when working with people whose very symptoms rob them of consistency either in their moods, thoughts, or behaviors. Whether psychoeductional material is presented primarily in groups, is discussed predominantly in 1:1 sessions, is referenced mostly to guide treatment planning and case management, or is principally used to cross train professionals, it must be consistent among service providers - especially within the same treatment setting.
Q. Who will benefit from it?
A. Individuals in treatment will receive consistent psychoeducation in groups, in 1:1's, and throughout a system of care from a cohesive treatment team; group participants will practice skills with the use of Worksheet Handouts applicable to each curriculum subject; professionals will have access to a vast body of knowledge referenced from literally hundreds of sources; group facilitators will enhance their expertise with the use of a "conversational style" detailed curriculum; administrators can eliminate or reduce staff hours devoted to curriculum development; direct service providers will find a continuity of group material for follow-up and exploration in 1:1's.
Q. What do I get in The Basics, Second Edition?
A. The curriculum contains 1,200 pages released in a two volume set. Volume I and II contain 8 Subjects and 6 Appendices, each with specific purposes. The two volume set is 1/2 Subject Material and Handouts for groups or 1:1's, and 1/2 Appendices and Tips to Professionals.
Q. How is it organized?
A. Each subject is initially divided into three segments designed as a presentation style of Prepare, Present, and Practice (Rhonda McKillip © 2004). The subjects begin with a Subject Presentation Guide complete with subject goals, objectives, methods, and overview. The subjects are then divided into four sections, marked by Suggested Time Frames, with dual purposes of easy presentation in either a 1 1/4 or 3 1/2 hour single group session or effortless division into multiple group sessions. Two kinds of handouts accompany each subject - Worksheet Handouts to encourage individualizing, internalizing, and implementing subject material, and Inspirational Handouts designed to promote inspiration, humor, and wisdom. All handouts are designed in a way to involve the group in productive conversations and are an integral part of every group. "Tips to Professionals" throughout the curriculum contain helpful tips, cautions, and suggestions. Extensive bibliographies are located at the end of every subject.
Q. How is it designed?
A. The curriculum is designed to incorporate the best standard practices now widely accepted as the mainstays in providing treatment for the dually diagnosed population. For example, the curriculum follows the Stages of Change Model (Prochaska, Norcross & DiClemente, 1994). Specific principles and counselor qualities are carefully and purposefully interwoven into the text and the handouts. These include the most significant predictors for treatment success of empathy and hope (Minkoff, 1998); the most important counselor qualities of maintaining a consistent, nonjudgmental, and positive attitude (Montrose & Daley, 1995); and the "spirit" and principles of Motivational Interviewing (Miller & Rollnick, 2002). The overall design of The Basics, Second Edition, is an interactive format where consumers and clients are supported and encouraged to be an active participant in their own recovery. The Master Tips to Professionals located at the back of Volume I has 67 pages of suggestions, cautions, and information for providing treatment to individuals with co-occurring disorders.
Q. How do I get it?
A. The Basics, Second Edition, 2004, can be purchased by accessing the ordering page at mckillipbasics.com; contacting the author via email at rmckillip@ix.netcom.com; or calling McKillip & Associates at (509) 258-7314 to arrange for payment options other than through the website.
"I am delighted to be able to recommend this work for clinicians in both the mental health and addiction treatment fields."
Dr. Kenneth Minkoff, 2004