Including Harm Reduction Conversation in Substance Use Counselling with Youth
Including Harm Reduction Conversation in Substance Use Counselling with Youth
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Issue Date
2025-10-01
Authors
Tobias, Jaime
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Abstract
This capstone explores how incorporating a harm reduction approach when counselling youth who use substances strengthens the therapeutic alliance and prioritizes youth's safety. Youth who are using substances often experience shame, stigma, and barriers when looking for support and connection regarding their substance use. A harm-reduction approach offers a person-centered lens to exploring substance use that places emphasis on choice, autonomy, and dignity when it comes to making decisions about their substance use. Using a person-centered and harm reduction lens, this capstone explores how a harm reduction approach to substance use meets youth where they are at and strengthens the therapeutic alliance. This capstone aims to explore harm reduction as an approach to supporting youth who use substances within a counselling setting.
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Keywords
harm-reduction , person-centered , youth , biopsychosocial model , trauma-informed