This Social Responsibility Therapy workbook was designed to help individuals who are struggling with harmful behaviors such as problem eating, drinking, drugs and physical or sexual aggression. The focus is on understanding, "Why do I keep doing this?" and learning what it takes to stop. No one plans to repeat a problem. No one tells themselves, "I need to repeat my unhealthy, harmful behavior today because I am way too healthy and happy". In reality, a Stress-Relapse Cycle made problems easy to repeat.
This workbook is structured to help each client discover the individual characteristics that maintained their unhealthy, harmful behavior. The Stress-Relapse Cycle begins with Negative Coping which involves avoiding taking responsibility and admitting problems (an honesty problem- denial to self). Not admitting problems typically requires Cover-Up tactics to avoid problem detection (a trust problem- deception of others). Stress Buildup results from continued Cover-Up efforts (a loyalty problem- not being loyal to own sense of right and wrong). Stress Buildup eventually results in a Slip (lapse, mistake) in awareness, judgment or self-control often by entering a high-risk situation for relapse (a concern problem, letting awareness slip). A Slip (lapse) sets the occasion for a Fall (relapse) often by not leaving a high-risk situation (a responsibility problem- giving up on self-control). Healthy Behavior Success Skills involving relapse prevention, emotional regulation, decisional balance and social problem solving are taught to help clients break their Stress-Relapse Cycle.
Since the focus of this workbook is on the Stress-Relapse Cycle that maintains multiple forms of unhealthy, harmful behavior, it is especially important for those who have multiple failed attempts at managing their problem behavior. The increased workbook structure includes step-by-step self-discovery directions that addresses the self-awareness problems exhibited by many individuals with unhealthy, harmful behavior. It is also helpful for those with strong autonomy needs who value their independence, like to work on their own, take charge of their lives and help themselves deal with their own situations. It is ideal in limited resource public service or institutional settings that require group treatment by clients who must actively contribute and document progress towards their treatment plans and support of each other's goals. Although developed for use with therapist input to help those in treatment become more active participants, it can also provide self-awareness and motivation for those considering therapy.
Social Responsibility Therapy utilizes Structured Discovery in a Client-Focused Case Conceptualization of unhealthy, harmful behavior. Three workbooks on understanding harmful behavior are structured to help clients work with their therapists to discover how they acquired their unhealthy, harmful behavior (workbook 1), what maintained it (this workbook) and how it generalized to other problem areas (workbook 3). When therapists process these workbooks with their clients, it elicits the client's understanding of their condition, negotiates a common client and therapist conceptualization of the problem behavior and helps develop a therapeutic alliance.
Practical case examples, theory, research support and treatment exercises with adolescents and adults referred for unhealthy, harmful eating, substance use and sexual behavior are provided in "The Clinician's Guide to Social Responsibility Therapy: Practical Applications, Theory and Research Support for Unhealthy, Harmful Behavior Treatment" and "Social Responsibility Therapy for Adolescents & Young Adults: A Multicultural Treatment Manual for Harmful Behavior" available on Amazon.com. Further information is provided at www.srtonline.org.
James M. Yokley, Ph.D., is the Clinical Director of MetroHealth Recovery Services at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. He is on the medical staff in the Department of Psychiatry and is an Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Yokley has expertise in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of multiple forms of unhealthy, harmful behavior, has authored over 50 research publications, book chapters, and professional presentations and has been a regular conference speaker on Social Responsibility Therapy for harmful, behavior.
