A Psychotherapist’s Guide to Implementing Alcohol Moderation and Harm Reduction Strategies in Office-Based Practice

For many people seeking help with alcohol problems, learning to drink more moderately and safely can be a realistic, sustainable goal. For others, managed drinking serves as a valuable first step toward abstinence—temporary or long-term. Whatever a client’s goals, clinicians must be prepared to help them assess drinking patterns and support positive, incremental change. Although abstinence-only models have long dominated treatment, research and clinical practice increasingly support harm reduction strategies, including moderate drinking, as effective options for individuals with less severe or earlier-stage alcohol issues and as extremely helpful engagement strategies for those with more severe problems. This approach promotes flexibility, inclusivity, and greater engagement among clients who might otherwise avoid treatment. Because office-based psychologists and other mental health therapists are often the first professionals consulted about alcohol concerns, all mental health practitioners—regardless of specialty—need the knowledge and skills to address these issues competently. This three-hour webinar offers a practical, evidence-informed toolkit featuring integrated behavioral and pharmacological interventions, case examples, and ethical considerations. Participants will gain additional confidence and skills to help clients achieve meaningful, sustainable improvements—whether their goals involve moderation or abstinence.