Program Description:  The Invitation to Change Approach (ITC) is a holistic helping framework based in science and kindness, designed for the families and loved ones of people struggling with substance use, as well as the professionals who support them. We will review research on various approaches that are available to families impacted by addiction, including interventions and Al-Alon.  We will explore ITC concepts for understanding substance use disorders (SUDs), including “Behaviors Make Sense,” “Once Size Doesn’t Fit All,” and the role of ambivalence in the change process.  Behavioral, communication, and self-awareness strategies are also central to this model and will be described, and clinical examples will be provided.  We aim to share a model that brings new understanding, new compassion, new patience, and new hope to helping those with addictive behaviors.  We will also discuss various applications of the ITC model, including psychotherapy, community peer support groups, and peer-to-peer coaching.

Speakers' Bios

Brooke Monaco, PhD is a clinical psychologist in private practice at Pelham Psychology in Westchester County and Manhattan.  Dr. Monaco specializes in treating addictive behaviors and co-occurring issues including ADHD, OCD, and trauma.  She has extensive experience providing outpatient addiction treatment at the Center for Motivation and Change, conducting individual, group, and family therapy.  She is a certified trainer in the ITC Model, which helps professionals and family members understand and support individuals with addictive behaviors and psychiatric issues using a compassionate and strengths-based approach.  Dr. Monaco integrates evidence-based approaches including CBT (e.g., Community Reinforcement Approach), Motivational Interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her psychotherapy practice, including collaborating with prescribers of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders.  She is passionate about working with individuals and families to find their unique paths to change.

Julie Jarvis, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been practicing in the field of addiction treatment for nearly 30 years. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship in Addiction Psychology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. Jarvis worked across all levels of care in addictions treatment - including residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. She served for 10 years as the Director of Intensive Services at the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC) in NYC, working with individuals and families, facilitating groups, and supervising a team of psychologists. During her tenure with CMC, Dr. Jarvis also served as a consulting psychologist with CMC’s Foundation for Change, co-leading workshops across the country in the Invitation to Change model for families and friends of loved ones struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Additionally, Dr. Jarvis has lived experience applying the skills of the ITC model within the context of her own family, and brings that personal experience to her work when it is relevant and useful to her clients.