Dear Readers,

As we say goodbye to the year 2006, I would like to let you, the readers of Counselor Magazine, know that it has been a pleasure serving you. I also would like to thank all of the authors with whom I have worked this year. I hope you have been as pleased as I have with the high quality articles they have shared with us this year. I look forward to next year as another opportunity to work with experts in the field to bring you the very latest news and treatment strategies in addiction treatment. 

With that, I give you the final issue of Counselor Magazine for 2006. In her feature article, "Women, Trauma and Substance Abuse," Kolleen Simons, MSW, LCSW, points to the importance of understanding the link between trauma and substance abuse, particularly in the treatment of women. She explains how counselors can work with these clients in helping them to develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Many of you are familiar with our next author, whose great sense of humor often shines through even in his discussion of the most difficult topics. In this issue, Howard Rosenthal, EdD, CCMHC, MAC, provides crucial information on how to help prevent suicide in, "Six Steps to Stop Suicide: A Crash Course in Emotional Life Saving." This is a must-read article for all counselors, most of whom at some point in their careers, will deal with clients who express a desire to end their lives.

Turning to a more artistic expression of recovery themes, this month's history lesson takes us on a musical tour as we explore how the experiences of addiction and recovery have been portrayed within African American Music. In their article, "When I Get Low, I Get High" The Portrayal of Addiction Recovery in African American Music," authors Tanya Sanders, MSW, Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC and William L. White, MA, examine the influence of the different types of music - from the booze-infused 1920s blues to the cocaine and crack-inspired rap music of the 1980s.

In the fourth installment of an ongoing series of articles by William A. Howatt, PhD, EdD, ICADC, RSW, RPC, "The Rubik's Cube of Addiction Counseling: Six Risk Management Considerations," the author introduces the logic and importance for five important risk management considerations that addiction counselors need to anticipate in order to execute well designed treatment plans for clients who leave their offices.

As counselors, you are well aware that no two clients are alike, and therefore, are not expected to move through the recovery process at the same rate. Authors Georgi DiStefano, LCSW, BCD and Melinda Hohman, PhD, discuss the importance of recognizing the stages of recovery the client is at, and tailoring treatment to recognize and respond to those stages. In the article, "The Paradigm Model of Treatment," the authors use a case study to illustrate the movement of a client through these stages or paradigms.

Concluding this month's lineup is a feature that focuses on an alternative therapy that has shown promising results in the treatment of persons in recovery from alcoholism. In her article, "The Role of Healing Touch in the Treatment of Persons in Recovery from Alcoholism," author Sr. Rita Jean DuBrey, CSJ, RN, MSN, CASAC, CHTI, shares the findings of an important study in which the non-invasive technique, Healing Touch, reduced stress in the early stages of recovery in patients admitted for alcoholism treatment.

In addition to our varied lineup of featured articles, it is my pleasure to introduce our newest columnist, Jim Mays, who will be writing our Management Corner: Technology Trends column. This month, he gives us some helpful tips on countering distraction.

As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns regarding the content of Counselor. You can reach me by phone at (800) 851-9100, ext. 258, email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by mail.

On behalf of all of us at Counselor, I wish you, your families and your clients a blissful and peaceful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year.

Sincerely,

Stephanie L. Muller
Editor

Counselor,
The Magazine for Addiction Professionals
A Health Communications, Inc. Publication

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