Professionals

Evidence Based Practices

Education & Resources

An evidenced based practice (EBP) is one supported by rigorous research, demonstrating its effectiveness, and replicated with positive outcomes. Please use these EBP Education Booklets created to educate health care and behavioral health providers on specific approaches to use when addressing behavioral health needs.

Professional Resources

An evidenced based practice (EBP) is one supported by rigorous research, demonstrating its effectiveness, and replicated with positive outcomes. Please use these EBP Education Booklets created to educate health care and behavioral health providers on specific approaches to use when addressing behavioral health needs.

Each EBP Booklet will walk you through:

  • What is the EBP
  • Why you would use it
  • How you would use it
  • Expected Outcomes
  • Further Reading and Resources
  • Motivational interviewing (MI)
  • Contingency management (CM)
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  • Opioids
  • Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational interviewing (MI)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

    Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based style of communication used in counseling that emphasizes behavioral change by using techniques and strategies like reflective listening, shared decision-making, and eliciting change talk.

    A successful motivational interviewer will incorporate both active listening and guidance.

    This guiding communication style allows the patient to strengthen their personal motivation for change and get to the root cause of what has been holding them back from the goals they want to achieve.

    MI has a strong impact on patients; even a short 15-minute session can prove to be very helpful.

    Download MI Best Practices

  • Contingency Management (CM)

    Contingency management (CM) is a type of behavioral therapy that is often referred to as “motivational incentives.” It is rooted in operant conditioning, a concept from behavioral psychology.

    CM uses the core processes of operant conditioning, where the participant is given
    reinforcement when they perform desirable behaviors and punished or ignored when those behaviors are abandoned.

    CM is a helpful tool as part of treatment for substance use disorders to encourage pro-recovery behaviors like abstinence from drug of choice, session attendance, and progress toward personal goals. It can also be applied to treatment of other behavioral issues.

    Download CM Best Practices

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

    Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) that uses a combination of medications, counseling, and behavioral therapies.

    This is an evidence-based approach to treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD)that is
    effective at helping patients sustain recovery.

    The goal of MAT is to discourage substance use and provide patients with the tools necessary for recovery. MAT is sometimes referred to as medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

    According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the abstinence rate from opioids exceeds 60% in long-term follow up of MAT.

    Download Medication Assisted Treatment Best Practices

  • Opioids

    Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain. There are both legal and illicit versions that include:

    • Prescription pain relievers
    • Synthetic opioids
    • Heroin

    Opioids produce high rewards but also large negative consequences. For many, the positive feelings they receive from opioids outweigh the consequences.

    They are highly addictive, and risk of opioid overdose and even death are great.

    Nearly half of Alabama’s drug overdose deaths result from opioid use.

    Download Opioid Use Disorder treatment Best Practices

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

    Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood (aged 0 to 17). The child could:

    • Experience violence, abuse, or neglect
    • Witness violence in the home/community
    • Have family attempt or die by suicide
    • Grow up in a household with substance use or mental health problems
    • Face instability due to parental separation or household members in jail or prison

    LASTING IMPACTS OF ACES

    These experiences can create many negative consequences. In adulthood, ACEs have been linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems.

    These experiences can negatively impact education, job opportunities, and earning potential, as well as increase risk of injury, sexually transmitted infections, maternal and child health problems, and sex trafficking involvement.

    Download Adverse Childhood Experiences Best Practices

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach to treating mental and behavioral health conditions.

    This form of psychotherapy focuses on the relationships among cognitions (thoughts), emotions (feelings), and behavior (actions).

    CBT has been demonstrated to be very effective and can lead to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life for several conditions and life situations:

    • Substance use disorders
    • Anxiety disorders
    • Depression
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder
    • Eating disorders
    • Relationship conflicts
    • Coping with medical illness
    • Severe mental illness

    Download Cognitive Behavior Therapy Best Practices

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