SEATTLE, Wash. (Aug. 13, 2015) – The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit addiction treatment provider, will sponsor a freeworkshop on “Trauma, Substance Use Disorders, and Sexuality” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3 at McCormick and Schmicks, 1200 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle.
The workshop features Buster Ross, a national expert on substance abuse disorders, sexuality and mental health and the national director of LGBTQ-Integrative Programming at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
“Human sexuality and trauma are complicated,” states Ross. “All of our experiences influence our sexuality. For many, substance use has become a way of managing sexual shame, confusion and unresolved abuse. Counselors excel at establishing a safe and trusting environment for patients to disclose nonconsensual and exploitive experiences,” Ross says. “But what is healthy? The workshop will help providers increase their skills in helping clients in recovery answer that question.”
Designed to help counselors and other helping professionals feel more confident when working with patients with substance use disorders and histories of sexual abuse, the two-hour workshop carries two free continuing education credits from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
RSVP online at www.HazeldenBettyFord.org/Samantha or call Kirsten Cannavino, 503-554-4324.
About Buster Ross
Buster Ross, M.A., CADCII, L.P.C., C.S.C, is the National Director of LGBTQ-Integrative Treatment Programming at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and is based in Springbrook, Ore. He works at the intersections of substance use disorders, sexuality and mental health; teaches at the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies; and trains helping professionals throughout the U.S. Ross is an AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselor, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II and Licensed Professional Counselor.
About LGBTQ-Integrative Treatment Programming
LGBTQ-Integrative Treatment Programming is based on the philosophy that providing sexual health training to staff and sexual health education to clients in drug and alcohol treatment creates a supportive and healing environment for LGBTQ people and non-LGBTQ people.
About The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 16 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults. Learn more at www.hazeldenbettyford.org.
