ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the part played by 'talking treatments' in providing a range of services to people who misuse drugs and/or alcohol. The field of talking treatments involves confusing terminology and several different names for what can seem like similar approaches. Interchangeable generic terms include 'psychological therapy', 'psychological treatments', 'talking therapies' and 'talking treatments'. The chapter considers four main approaches: motivational enhancement therapy, solution focused therapy, twelve step facilitation and community reinforcement approach. Motivational enhancement therapy is based on the work of William Miller and Bien. It combines the three elements: stages of change, motivational interviewing and features of successful brief interventions. The chapter discusses psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, cognitive analytic therapy and systemic or family therapy. The terminological confusion is exacerbated by the common practice of denoting all psychological therapy delivered in primary care as 'counselling'. Structured counselling can be either psychotherapy or counselling as applied in substance misuse.
