Paradigm Developmental Model of Treatment GROUP TOPICS

In the last year, with the PDMT group topic implementation, I have seen a dramatic improvement in overall client engagement and program satisfaction with our mandated client population. While addressing the very real problem of drinking and driving, group topics, such as self-examination and self-regulation, encourage clients to take responsibility regarding AOD use, while also offering a broad application to many other areas that impact their lives, including relationships, employment, finances, and ethics. --Abby Oberg, IMFT, MCA, CSC - Counselor, SDSU DUI Program

The PDMT provides an array of group topics that are easy to use and thought provoking. The topics can be used as is, or adapted to the current program curriculum. What I found particularly helpful are the goals, objectives, and implementation strategies to assist the counselor with group facilitation. Not only are the topics effective in addressing addiction and recovery, but address ethical and moral issues that may contribute to relapse. I truly believe the PDMT has the potential to be utilized in many therapeutic programs. --Ken Wiggins, AS, CATC - Counselor, SDSU DUI Program

I was involved in implementing and training our staff in utilizing the PDMT individual interventions beginning four years ago. As a staff, we strongly encouraged Georgi to develop group s topics in the PDMT spirit. I have been fortunate because my groups participated in the initial research as the pilot groups. My clients, when critiquing the new topics, felt that everyone was able to benefit from the group experience, more because the focus is seemingly not on AOD use, but on real life experiences. I have found the group brings their AOD use into the topic. There also seems to be more connection and trust among group members, including first conviction participants. Thank you, Georgi. --Gail Donner, CAS - Counselor, SDSU DUI Program

L. Georgi DiStefano, LCSW, received her BA with highest honors from Richmond College, City University of New York, and her Masters in Social Work from State University of New York at Stony Brook. Since 2001, she has been the Executive Director /Clinical Director for the San Diego State University s Center for Alcohol & Drug Studies, Driving Under the Influence Program, supervising 80 staff, a $3.5 million budget, and over 3,000 active clients.Ms. DiStefano has a long history of innovative work in the addictions field. She has served as a clinician, program director, trainer, and consultant in this practice area throughout her career. Her work has been recognized in numerous ways. In 1991 Ms. DiStefano was recognized with the Clinical Social Worker of the Year Award by the Society of Clinical Social Work, San Diego Chapter. At the 2005 70th Annual Alcoholics Anonymous International Convention in Toronto, Canada, Ms. DiStefano was honored for her professional contribution to the field of Addiction Medicine and was one of only 20 other honorees from around the world. In 2011 Ms. DiStefano received the Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Award from NASW Region E co-hosted by The California Society for Clinical Social Work.She has been a vice-president on the board of the California Women s Commission on Alcohol and is currently a member of the California State DUI Advisory Board. She has worked as a trainer for NASW on alcohol/substance dependency training hundreds of social workers across California and has been invited to speak on her work at international conferences in Greece, Japan, Paraguay and New York.Ms. DiStefano has developed and implemented a treatment model with accompanying curriculum for both individual and group work in addiction treatment. She has published research studies and books including The Paradigm Developmental Model of Treatment. She has extended this work into a state of the art software program to assist DUI programs in their clinical work with clients.