Preparing for Strong Therapeutic Relationships: Creativity in Addictions Counselor Education

ABSTRACT In observation of empirical support and theoretical support for relational and attachment-based interventions in addictions counseling education and research, the authors explore the relational depth model as a potential training model in addictions counseling education. This piece offers training activities for addictions counseling educators targeted at enhancing student capacity and understanding of presence and connection with clients. The authors detail the use of experiential activities to enhance these capacities that include questions for reflection and discussion of application to practice. The authors develop the rationale for this training with a brief review of the relational depth literature and the recent addictions literature regarding research and training in relational factors in addictions counseling. Finally, the authors offer future implications for the addictions counseling education literature including the need for the development and empirical validation of relational training programs in addictions counseling education and practice.