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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

Does drug court apply to the groupthink of government? Do the same rules that apply to individuals and treatment apply to organizations?

Everyone has limiting beliefs about something in their lives. We all have something we would like to change. Could this apply to treatment and government agencies? “But we’ve always done it this way.”

Fear and anxiety can dictate behavior. What’s the relationship between beliefs, fear, and anxiety? People are uncomfortable with change.

Imagine walking a mile in the shoes of the FBI and DOJ as they explain away their procrastination for doing what they are paid to do: Investigate the possibility of crime, protect and preserve, consider due process, and then proceed.

What’s the point? Good question.

It’s about beliefs and groupthink. Beliefs affect us at all levels. In my field, criminal justice and addiction, we consider the big picture. That includes criminal thinking and conduct, substance use disorder, and mental health issues. Look at the CBT map image below to see the relationship.

Many of our clients are dealing with each of these issues. Imagine the number of their limiting beliefs. How are government agencies affected by similar issues and beliefs?

Last week I mentioned a few limiting beliefs that affect counselors and therapists. Could these be true of organizations and leaders too?
1. Imposter Syndrome
2. Fear of making mistakes
3. Personal bias and judgements
4. Overidentifying with clients
5. Self-doubt in therapeutic approach

Could these apply to the defense bar, treatment agencies, the FBI, and DOJ regarding their tardiness? Fear of making a mistake stands out for me.

This is why Belief Eye Movement Therapy, BEMT, is so important. It drills down on the issues; the limiting beliefs, and the solution, the empowering beliefs needed to replace the problem, irrational thinking and beliefs.

It is a brief, client centered, solution focused approach that could work for groups too.

BEMT can be utilized as a self-care tool for people of all levels and careers, not only counselors and therapists, and clients. Whole groups too.

Why not try it?

The CBT map image below is from Drug Court Treatment: The Verdict. Amazon.com. “Belief Eye Movement Therapy”, is an e-book and can be found on Amazon.com too.

Everyone has limiting beliefs about something in their lives. We all have something we would like to change.

Walking a mile in the shoes of our clients is key to understanding how to help them. Nobody cares how much we know until they know how much we care about them.

We can empathize with clients as we consider the issues that bother us. As a construct, imagine that you do not have alcohol and other drug problems, AOD, or criminal thinking and conduct issues, CTC. That you don’t have mental health problems, MH.

Many of our clients are dealing with each of these issues. Imagine the number of their limiting beliefs. I have a collection of limiting beliefs given to me by clients. It’s lengthy and interesting.

What are some of the limiting beliefs issues that can stop addicton professionals, mental health counselors, and therapists from doing their jobs the best way possible?

How does this limiting beliefs list look to you:
1. Imposter Syndrome
2. Fear of making mistakes
3. Personal bias and judgements
4. Overidentifying with clients
5. Self-doubt in therapeutic approach

This is why Belief Eye Movement Therapy, BEMT, is so important. It drills down on the issues; the limiting beliefs, and the solution, the empowering beliefs needed to replace the problem, irrational thinking and beliefs.

It is a brief, client centered, solution focused approach.

BEMT can be utilized as a self-care tool for counselors and therapists as well as a way to help clients.

The CBT map image below is from Drug Court Treatment: The Verdict. Amazon.com. “Belief Eye Movement Therapy”, is an e-book and can be found on Amazon.com too.