Continuing Education Event – Integrating DBT and the 12-Steps in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder – live webinar – 3/9/2023

Recovery Centers of America has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7002. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Recovery Centers of America is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This course qualifies for 1.5 credit hours.

The 12-Step model of treatment and support for substance use disorders has been widely adopted by treatment programs and individuals alike. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been expanded beyond its initial focus on treating Borderline Personality Disorder and been found to be effective in addressing a wide range of behavioral conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use. Although some patients and clinicians see approaches like DBT as alternatives to the 12-Steps, the two share many underlying concepts and can function in a complimentary manner. This training will present a holistic approach to integrating the 12-Steps and DBT to address the challenged of early recovery. The focus of the first three steps includes acceptance and surrender, learning how the disease and pathology of substance use disorder contribute to emotional, social, and behavioral impairment. DBT supports emotional regulation for empowering stress reduction and relapse prevention coping skills necessary for practicing a committed holistic daily program of recovery.

Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will learn about the underlying models of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and the 12-Steps with regard to substance use disorders.
2. Participants will be able to describe the introductory steps (steps 1-3) and how they relate to the principles of DBT.
3. Participants will apply the core principles of DBT to support patients working the introductory steps of a 12-Step model.

James Corley, Jr. MS, LCADC, CAADC, CS
In February of 2006, after seemingly fighting a losing battle with addiction, James reports finally being able to walk in the grace, truth, and freedom found in recovery. James verbalizes that the holistic interventions and his hard-earned educational competencies have molded him into who he is today- a recovery-focused professional, strategically and vehemently engaging patients and staff in using the Twelve Steps to inspire and motivate life-saving change.

James has advanced professionally through the therapeutic ranks, beginning as a Recovery Support Specialist, and moving over time into the role of Clinical Director. James joined the RCA team in June of 2021 as the Corporate Twelve Step Trainer. James holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Purdue Global, a CAADC in Pennsylvania, and is licensed in the state of New Jersey. James is currently enrolled at Regent University, where he is working toward his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.

Since joining the RCA Team, James has developed Twelve Step Integration Curriculums for multiple disciplines so that we may better support and engage our patients in using holistic and evidence-based treatment in conjunction with the Twelve Steps. James trains our teams using his Twelve Step expertise, clinical competencies, and holistic spirituality to support them with understanding the pathology of addiction and evidence-based solutions for recovery. James approaches each training to inspire and motivate patients to embrace recovery!

Dr. Peter Vernig
Vice President of Mental Health Services

Dr. Peter Vernig serves as Vice President of Mental Health Services at Recovery Centers of America. In this role, he oversees mental health care across the organization, including outpatient, inpatient and digital health, as well as the expansion of mental health services into new market and service lines. He has experiences in a wide range of settings and clinical populations and expertise with many different facets of modern behavioral healthcare.

Dr. Vernig holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Suffolk University and an MBA in Healthcare Management from West Texas A&M University. He is licensed as a psychologist in Pennsylvania and holds faculty appointments at Drexel University College of Medicine and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is an associate editor of the Journal of Substance Use and the president of the Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association.

Prior to RCA, Dr. Vernig served as Chief Clinical Officer at Friends Hospital, the oldest private psychiatric hospital in the United States.