The Therapeutic Community: Theory, Model, and Method

This volume provides a comprehensive review of the essentials of the Therapeutic Community (TC) theory and its practical whole person approach to the treatment of substance abuse disorders and related problems. Part I outlines the perspective of the traditional views of the substance abuse disorder, the substance abuser, and the basic components of this approach. Part II explains the organizational structure of the TC, its work components, and the role of residents and staff.

The chapters in Part III describe the essential activities of TC life that relate most directly to the recovery process and the goals of rehabilitation. The final part outlines how individuals change in the TC behaviorally, cognitively, and emotionally. This is an invaluable resource for all addictions professionals and students.

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The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

This volume provides a comprehensive review of the essentials of the Therapeutic Community (TC) theory and its practical "whole person" approach to the treatment of substance abuse disorders and related problems. Part I outlines the perspective of the traditional views of the substance abuse disorder, the substance abuser, and the basic components of this approach. Part II explains the organizational structure of the TC, its work components, and the role of residents and staff.

The chapters in Part III describe the essential activities of TC life that relate most directly to the recovery process and the goals of rehabilitation. The final part outlines how individuals change in the TC behaviorally, cognitively, and emotionally. This is an invaluable resource for all addictions professionals and students.

George De Leon, PhD, is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of substance abuse and is acknowledged as the leading authority on research in therapeutic communities. He is the director of the Center for Therapeutic Community Research (CTCR) at National Development and Research Institutes, Inc. (NDRI), funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA), and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at New York University. In addition to numerous research publications, Dr. De Leon has made notable contributions in the areas of clinical practice and professional education. He provides training in therapeutic community practice to psychiatric fellows, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals in treatment programs. He is also project coordinator for Therapeutic Communities of America in developing national standards for accreditation of therapeutic community programs in correctional settings. He is on the advisory board of the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders and a member of the Expert Advisory Committee on Chemical Dependency of the American Psychological Association College of Professional Psychology. He is a founding member of the New York State Psychological Association's Division on Addictions, as well as a founding member and past president of the American Psychological Association's Division 50 on Addictions.

Dr. De Leon is a recipient of several awards. The most notable are the Therapeutic Communities of America award for Distinguished Service (1978); the Eugenia Maria De Hostos and Jose Marti award for dedication and contribution to the field of psychology presented by the New York Society of Clinical Psychologists (1984); the award for Distinguished Service to Psychology (1990) presented by the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors (SPAB), and the 1993 NIDA Pacesetter Award for Outstanding Leadership in Pioneering Research on the Therapeutic Community Approach to Drug Abuse Treatment. He has maintained a private clinical practice in New York City for over 30 years. De Leon's work is also featured in the 3-DVD series, The Therapeutic Community, published by Psychotherapy.net.