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Journal of Psychology and Cognition | Volume 4
May 13-14, 2019 | Prague, Czech Republic
Addiction Research and Therapy
2
nd
International Conference on
J Psychol Cognition, Volume 4
The power of connection and outcome-oriented treatment with Military Adolescents
Cristal Cook
Sterling Medical Corporation, Italy
A
dolescence is a critical age for prevention work, which
can be accomplished through classroom education and
psychotherapy including individual, family, and group work.
Gaining skills to overcome risk factors has the power to alter
the course of lives. Some of these risk factors include social
isolation, difficult home life situations, low self-worth, mental
health issues, and peer pressure of social media. One of the
most valuable protective factors is human connection. The
United States military families experience unique challenges
including living in foreign countries, frequent moves,
absent parents due to deployments or divorce, separation
from extended family, and continuous friend separation.
Deployments last between six months to a year and often
result in families experiencing more separation than
togetherness. The average length of time military families
spendateachdutystationisthreeyears.Thisleadstocontinual
relocation adjustment and loss of meaningful relationships. I
have worked with teens well into addiction, some flirting with
going down that path, and others simply trying their best to
manage complicated life issues without turning to unhealthy
coping mechanisms. Alcohol and substance abuse are not the
only threat to our youth; it is also behavioral addictions such
as self-harm, social media, gaming, pornography and eating
disorders. Although I incorporate a variety of modalities, it is
theuseofoutcomeinformedfeedbackthatisthemostintegral
part of my practice. Measuring the client’s distress levels and
whether they are improving is invaluable information. Client
feedback promotes treatment satisfaction and therapeutic
alliance. Research supports that the client/therapist
relationship is the number one predictive factor for treatment
success, regardless of the treatment modality used. It is my
belief that human connection is the most valuable tool for
prevention, healing, and recovery. These connections consist
of family, friends, community and helping professionals.
Speaker Biography
Cristal Cook is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified addiction
specialist with over 17 years of professional counseling experience with
adolescents, adults, children, and families in various settings. She has
worked inschools,communitymedicalcenters,privatepracticeandwith
the American Military throughout the United States and abroad. She
comes from a system’s perspective and encourages the involvement of
family, school personnel, and supportive community partners to provide
quality prevention and direct services to adolescents and their families.
e:
cristalcook361@hotmail.com