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DEPTH OF STEP ONE:  Powerless With a Punch
(Can be tailored for 3-6 credit hours)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
This program discusses several therapeutic interventions that can be used to assist a patient in working Step One of Alcoholics Anonymous. The first section of the program describes the general or overall working of Step One. The second describes the specific working of Step One in individual counseling. Included is a therapeutic intervention utilized to review a patient's entire substance abuse history in a brief period of time. This review assists the patient in experiencing the extent of unmanageability and the depth of powerlessness. The third describes the "Powerless-with-a-Punch" technique, a unique therapeutic intervention. This intervention is a combination of Step One and the psychological idea of free association. The entire therapeutic intervention is built around the use of the phrase, "I am powerless." The technique is very helpful in allowing a patient to get beyond the defenses of intellectualizing and rationalizing to his or her emotional center.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• describe two different therapeutic interventions for use during Step One counseling

• identify the three general or overall stages a patient will pass through while working Step One during a period of three to ten months

• describe a five level process that can be used for Step One work in an individual counseling session

• apply the "I am powerless" free association technique in individual counseling with a patient who is working on Step One

• discuss the six reactions that arise from using the "I am powerless" free association technique and describe the therapeutic methods to assist the patient in working through these reactions.

FACULTY: Wayne P. Sisson, MA, is currently the Associate Director of the Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc./VA Employee Education System, Prescott Center, Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System in Prescott, Arizona. Prior to joining that program, he was an addiction therapist at the VA Medical Center's inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program from 1980 to 1994. He was also the program director and addiction therapist at La Casita, Inc., a residential alcohol treatment center in Tucson, Arizona from 1978 to 1980. Mr. Sisson has presented numerous continuing education programs on various aspects of substance abuse.

Wayne P. Sisson, MA 
Ph (w): (928) 776-6124
Associate Director 
Fax: (928) 776-6137 
Email sec@northlink.com
Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc.
Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (OP SEC)
500 N. Highway 89
Prescott, AZ 86313

SOUTHWEST HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION CENTER, INC
 500 N. HIGHWAY 89 (OP SEC)    PRESCOTT, AZ 86313-5000
 
 PHONE (928) 776-6124         FAX (928) 776-6137
 sec@northlink.com
 
 Office Hours 8am - 4:30pm MST
 
 
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