The power of beliefs is amazing. Last week, I included what I “believed” to be a link to my Udemy Course called Criminal Justice and Addictions Counseling. It is a thirty-four CEU NAADAC approved home study course, Provider #192679. I was wrong.

“My belief” was erroneous.

Regardless, I guarantee that you will find new ideas about how to do CBT with clients and patients if you check out the course. This course presents ideas about how to create change. How to change limiting beliefs and behaviors.

I apologize about my belief about the incorrect link. I’m going to try to post the Udemy link here today.
https://lnkd.in/gR7ntCQK

I may have learned something new to me. LinkedIn may not allow a Udemy link. I posted the link directly above. It will be interesting to see if it remains. If you don’t see it, you know why. And that’s – okay.

“Acceptance,” is the key.

How AI can help us.

It provides a vast research body of verifiable information. We must use due diligence.

If the information looks wonky, don’t use it. Correct it so it fits the context.

Provide attribution giving AI credit for being your source.

I’ve found it to be amazing time-saver.

Back to the link.

Was my belief irrational as the REBT of Albert Ellis say? Was it simply a limiting belief? Harmful to no one but me.

Why is having a belief change skill so important?

I have a criminal justice, drug court IOP background. The two major goals of drug courts are:
1. Reduce recidivism.
2. Reduce the cost of crime and treatment.

The CBT image map below, shows that beliefs are the first part of the CBT process. Ellis’ ABC-DE Theory explains how it works from the event to the behavior choice.

Why are beliefs important? Wanberg and Milkman: “There will be no long-term [CTC] behavior changes unless you change core beliefs first.”

To paraphrase Judith S. Beck (Cognitive Behavior Theory),”When it comes to addiction, you must address the permission-granting beliefs as soon as possible…”

If drug courts and treatment providers want to help reduce recidivism and the cost of crime, why not adopt a belief change protocol for each client?

My belief is any organization can improve care by including a specific belief change protocol for the program and specific to clients and their individual stages of change.

I’m available for individual or group training. These can be live or by Zoom.

Let’s face it. We all have limiting beliefs about something. Our identity, values, capabilities, behavior, Imposter Syndrome, etc. Add hopeless, helpless and worthless and you can see why depression and substance abuse are problems for so many.

Change the beliefs and you change the outcomes. That’s what Belief Eye Movement Therapy is all about.

Drug Court Treatment: The Verdict. Amazon.com

You might be looking for new skills to help yourself or others. You could find a few ideas in these books.

Amazon.com: Stan Dokmanus: books, biography, latest update

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Many people have fears and doubts about AI. Fear is an emotion. Doubts are beliefs. Caveat credens.

Let the believer beware.

Criminal justice and addiction counseling addresses both beliefs and fears. Some addicts (alcoholics) doubt that they can live without AOD, alcohol and other drugs.

Many people fear AI and doubt that it is helpful. Many say it is simply dangerous.

I’ve worked extensively with AI, ChatGPT. I like the results and experience.

I was involved with a manual driven treatment program for mandated participants. In group sessions, some would throw the book on the floor protesting that it was junk. In truth, it was an excellent document with not one false word.

When I asked how they came to that belief they said the previous instructors said that. How is that for creating limiting beliefs and self-fulfilling prophecies?

Enter AI. If the same document was delivered by AI ChatGPT exactly as the author wrote and intended, it could be more effective for more people.

Caveat credens. There will be no long-term behavior changes unless you change limiting criminal thinking and conduct, CTC, beliefs about alcohol and other drugs, AOD, first.

Feel free to message me to collaborate on a program.

For more information and 34 NAADAC approved CEU see https://lnkd.in/dDcPJqfV.

The CBT map image is from Drug Court Treatment: The Verdict. Amazon.com

“I’m here to support you during this incredibly difficult time. I can feel your pain that you must be feeling after the tragic loss of your town and the lives and property that were taken. I too have been affected by this loss. Please know that your emotions are valid, and I’m here to help you navigate through them.

It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed and disbelief in the face of such a devastating event. This is a lot to process. You might find yourself going through different stages of grief as you begin to heal. The first stage is denial and shock. It’s okay to have moments of disbelief. Can you tell me how you’ve been feeling?

Your feelings are understandable. It’s common to want to shield yourself from the full weight of this reality – at first. As you move through this stage, you might also experience anger. It’s okay to be angry about what’s happened. Have you noticed any anger coming up for you?

Your anger is valid. It’s a natural response to the injustice of this tragedy. Anger can sometimes help us process the pain. As you experience this journey, you might also encounter moments of bargaining. It’s when you find yourself thinking “what if” or “if only” statements. Have you found yourself having those thoughts?

It’s completely understandable to search for ways to make sense of what happened, even if it means playing out different scenarios in your mind. The “if only” thoughts can be a way of trying to regain a sense of control. As you move forward, you might also experience deep sadness and depression. It’s important to allow yourself to grieve and feel these emotions fully. Have you been feeling a deep sadness as well?

I’m here to support you through those moments of sadness. Grief is a complex process, and it’s not linear. You might find yourself moving between these stages and experiencing different emotions at different times. Eventually, as you continue to heal, there will come a time when you start to accept the reality of what has happened. This doesn’t mean you’re forgetting or moving on, but rather integrating this loss into your life story.

It’s okay to take your time and honor your own healing process. And remember, you don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out to friends, family, and support groups. Professional help can also be valuable in navigating this journey. Your feelings are valid, and your healing matters.”

*I checked with OpenAI ChatGPT and it generated this report. I fully agree with the logic and content. In this spirit, I offer you my services and knowledge.

Top of Form

Are you using VAKOG skills to help clients ‘change’ beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and behavior?

How important is VAKOG when it comes to behavior change, and the REBT, CBT, change process?

VAKOG is visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory and gustatory. Consider the first letter, V, for visual. Judith S. Beck (Cognitive Behavior Theory) cites the importance of imagery in the CBT process.

The Ready to Test Study Guide for CSAC certification emphasizes the importance of VAK in the communication process. It says that VAK are the three preferred learning and communication styles for most people.

Meet the client where she/he is. Use their preferred communication style. Use visual words for visuals, auditory words for auditory people, and kinesthetic words for feelings people.

The activities you choose could be geared to each VAK style.

Can using visual words (visualization) with clients help them to change core beliefs, feelings, and criminal behavior?

After taking my NAADAC approved CEU class, an Illinois CDAC with 30 years of experience told me, “Stan, I was always taught you can’t change a core belief. You not only showed me that you can, but you taught me that you must, as soon as possible.” Armand Welch, CDAC.

VAK can be used to break or minimize permission-granting, limiting criminal thinking and conduct (CTC) beliefs

These are simple ‘go to’ tools counselors can use to ‘help clients to change’ limiting, permission-granting core beliefs about criminal thinking and conduct, CTC, involving alcohol and other drugs, AOD.

These can be used to enhance Intrinsic motivation to change as well as discipline to stick with a recovery change plan. “If nothing changes, nothing changes.”

‘Change the picture’ (the V) and you ‘change the beliefs,’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Now comes the belief part. Probably a majority of people in recovery start out with limiting beliefs about their identity, values, and ‘capability to change.’

How can we help offenders and clients to break these limiting CTC beliefs? Belief Eye Movement Therapy, BEMT, along with VAK intervention skills can do this ‘in the blink of an eye.’

“In the blink of an eye, we shall all be ‘changed’.” To paraphrase Albert Ellis, “Go then; and according to how thou hast believed, be it done unto you.”

You can learn how and get 34 NAADAC approved CEU ($139.99) at Udemy:
https://lnkd.in/dM5v3dQ9

CBT map image is from Drug Court Treatment: The Verdict. Amazon.com

How important are beliefs when it comes to behavior change, and the REBT, CBT, change process?

Some people might wonder why I present this on a regular basis. Criminal Justice and Addictions is my specialty. “There will be no long-term criminal behavior changes unless we help offenders change core, permission-granting CTC beliefs first.

One day in staffing a counselor asked, “how do you change a belief?” The supervisor told him, “Well, that’s Stan’s area of expertise. Check with him.”

After taking my NAADAC approved CEU class, an Illinois CDAC with 30 years of experience told me, “Stan, I was always taught you can’t change a core belief. You not only showed me that you can, but you taught me that you must, as soon as possible.”

I hope that answers the why I post this series question.

Counselors and therapists should have a few ‘go to’ tools to help clients to change limiting, permission-granting core beliefs about criminal thinking and conduct, CTC, involving alcohol and other drugs, AOD.

Intrinsic motivation to change is important for criminals and addicts. Discipline is also important. These are powerful feelings and emotions that lead to behavior.

Motivation is the first step in the yougottawanna process. Motivation needs to be followed by discipline. Discipline can help clients to stay on course, one day at a time. Every day, all day.

Now comes the belief part. Probably a majority of people in recovery start out with limiting beliefs about their identity, values, and capability to change.

We can help offenders and clients to break these limiting beliefs. How? That’s what Belief Eye Movement Therapy, BEMT is all about.

You can learn how and get 34 NAADAC approved CEU at:
https://lnkd.in/dM5v3dQ9

CBT map image is from Drug Court Treatment: The Verdict. Amazon.com

You think you are meeting the client where he/she is at. But are you?

Visual, auditory and kinesthetic (feelings) are the three preferred learning and communication styles cited by Ready to Test. This is the preparation text for Certified Substance Abuse Counselors.

Why not be like the people you want to work with? How many people who are kinesthetic are you losing using your visual and auditory vocabulary?

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Dov’e il bagno will get you to the toilet before it’s too late. Once clients recidivate, overdose or go back to prison, it’s too late.

This is a serious business. People die when we fail.

So, to create rapport quicker, to take them where they need to go, be like the person you are speaking with.

There are several ways to determine their preferred style.
1. You could observe eye-movement patterns. See VARK, sensory acuity.
2. There are tests you can give where participants will answer a series of questions, total up response scores, and finally determine their preferred style.
3. You could ask them if they have a preference.

What’s the point? Meet the clients where they are at. Speak their language for starters.

Do whatever you can to detemine their preferred communication and learning style.

People use drugs because they want to feel different. Feel is a kinesthetic word. Euphoric recall screams kinesthetic.

Do you insist on using your visual and auditory vocabulary with kinesthetic clients?

I gave drug court clients a learning style test. They scored 77% kinesthetic. This happened in all the groups tested. Meet them where they are at.

Take the test for yourself. It is in my Criminal Justice and Addictions Counseling class on Udemy.

Why not do your best to use kinesthetic words and phrases with kinesthetic people? That part of the process is on you.

The CBT map image is from Drug Court Treatment: The Verdict. Amazon.com.

There is more on VAK styles in the book. You can learn more and get 34 CEU at https://lnkd.in/g6SGUB-k.

Happy 4th of July America!
“Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, is a significant holiday in the United States that commemorates the country’s declaration of independence from Great Britain. It is a federal holiday celebrated annually on July 4th.”*

“The history of Independence Day dates back to July 4, 1776, when
the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson.”*

“This declaration proclaimed the thirteen American colonies as a new nation, separate from the British Empire, and asserted the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”*

What does Independence Day mean to addicts?

Choosing to live sober is asserting the fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from and, without alcohol or other drugs, or perhaps, criminal thinking and conduct.

What gets in the way?

“In the context of addiction, permission-granting beliefs can refer to cognitive distortions or rationalizations that individuals use to justify or permit their substance use. For example, someone with addiction may use beliefs like “I deserve this drink” or “I can handle it this time” to rationalize their behavior.”*

Why not focus on eliciting and changing the permission-granting beliefs that lead to substance use disorders, and criminal thinking and conduct? Declare Independence!

Belief Eye Movement Therapy can help people achieve independence from AOD/CTC. Please message me to learn more.
Happy Fourth of July America!
*OpenAI, ChatGPT

CBT Map image is from Drug Court Treatment: The Verdict. Amazon.com