Amy Effman, LMFT, CAP

Substance abuse always emerges from context.  Family of origin experiences, trauma history, legal and educational issues, learning disabilities, developmental delays all contribute to the mental status of those who present for substance use disorder treatment.  Distortion of reality through the use of substances or processes gains relief from pain and obtains pleasure through “experiential enhancement”.  Substance Use Disorder clients are often misunderstood and treated from narrowly focused modalities that address some client challenges, while neglecting others. Substance Abuse is currently at epidemic levels. Mental health professionals must understand the complexity of multiple presenting issues that include substance abuse and apply creative approaches for best outcomes in treatment.

Our Presenter

Amy Effman, LMFT, CAP

Amy Effman is a Licensed Family therapist in private practice in east Boca, Florida. She practices from a Solution focused lens, while applying Narrative techniques in her conversations with clients. Her strength-based approach allows the opportunity for individuals to collaborate with her in building a fresh perspective; free of dis-empowering beliefs and poor coping skills. Her clinical work is rooted in joining with her client to develop a trusting, safe and compassionate environment. She believes the family system from which someone is molded is critical in understanding how someone has developed their purpose, which ultimately dictates their behaviors, emotions and how they choose to show up in life.

Amy has been advising and counseling others since 2005 in San Diego, where she attained her first Masters degree in Cross-Cultural Education and Diversity. She has a love for diverse populations and supporting people in their healing process. In 2008 she completed her Addictions Studies at UCSD which would pave her career for decades to come. She loved what she learned and returned to school to earn her Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy with the goal of opening her private practice. She has since incorporated all of her training into her own style of treating individuals and their families over the past 14 years. She has been fortunate in partnering with various treatment centers in California, New York and Florida. Amy is grateful to consult with Wellness Resource Center in Boca Raton, Florida, and other facilities in South Florida. When Amy is not working, she enjoys her quality time with family and friends, attending Xtend Barre classes, traveling and spending time on the water.

Learning Objectives

• Apply systemic approaches within addiction treatment environments to increase outcome effectiveness
• Describe numerous “core areas” of functioning adversely affected by addiction and mental health disorders
• Employ a “solutions-oriented approach” to mental health/substance abuse issues
• Deploy 3 distinct interventions for mental health/substance abuse issues drawn from a solutions focused perspective
• Articulate pros and cons of diagnostic labeling

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