Letting Go to Hang On: Using Metaphor and NLP in the Treatment of Addiction

This fast–paced ninety–minute session will examine some of the fundamentals that are essential to the successful approach to treating addiction and will explore ways a therapist can avoid some of the problems that are likely to arise in the early stages of treatment. It will begin with a discussion of the importance of meeting the patient at his model of the world and of agreeing upon the model or paradigm to be used. There will be several illustrations of how to explain some of the complex ideas about addiction in a simple, understandable way, as well as demonstrations of methods patients can use to cope with craving and with sabotage, both from self and from others. The recurring theme of the presentation will be the use of metaphor and various NLP techniques in helping patients establish an outlook that will lead to success.

V. Ray Spivey has over twenty–five years of experience in treating addictions in a variety of in–patient and out–patient settings. He has extensive experience in treating patients with dual diagnoses, as well as those from a wide range of educational, occupational, and social backgrounds. Mr. Spivey has devoted many years to the study of effective treatment techniques. He holds an M.A. from Virginia Tech and is a certified Master Practitioner of NLP. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama, where he does coaching, employee training, and seminars.