I am creating a website which spells out the teaching methods and tips I have developed over 37 years teaching substance abuse counseling so new instructors don’t have to “reinvent the wheel.”

Each era had its own take on the wheel but the fundamental principle of the wheel is evident: it’s easier to move a load on a device with round objects (wheels in their many variations) than just pushing or pulling it on land. 

My hope is that new instructors of addiction counseling won’t have to labor to re-invent the fundamentals of teaching but can use some of my suggestions to enhance their teaching of addiction counseling.

I’ve started by posting the assignments, techniques, and resources which I feel have been very successful in my addiction studies courses at John Jay College. I focus on teaching counseling skills and ethics.  I’m hoping those of you with things to share will send  them to be considered for posting.  I also hope someone would like to take over the website in a few years.

The website is organized for easy navigation

The menu at the top of the page will take you to all the content of the site:

Home:  Where you are now.

About Professor Y.:  The story of my professional and teaching journey.

What it’s like to teach addiction counseling:  Some information about me, my philosophy and the specific challenges of teaching substance abuse counseling.

Teaching counseling skills:  Assignments which help students build counseling skills and how I facilitated good role plays of counseling situations.

Teaching ethics:  I discuss the several topics important to cover in ethics training for substance abuse counselors, teaching methods, and assignments.

Resources:  Here I list the useful books, websites, videos, and YouTube videos I have used in my classes.

Contact:  If you have suggestions, materials you would like to add, or other comments, please reach out.  

Appendix:  Lecture summaries and detailed assignments for teaching ethics and counseling skills.