Harm reduction refers to practical policies, programs and practices that aim to minimize negative outcomes associated with substance misuse. It is rooted in both public health policy and the social justice movement, built on a belief in, and respect and advocacy for the rights of people who use drugs. Harm reduction initiatives can include medical care and disease prevention, education, and support for substance misuse treatment. Although it was formed around substance misuse, harm reduction ideals can be applied to all behaviors that are potentially harmful. 

Harm Reduction Therapy is a revolutionary client-therapist collaboration that combines substance misuse treatment with psychotherapy, so clients can address both their substance use and the issues that are behind it. The core components including meeting people where they are at, without judgement, coercion, discrimination, or requiring that they stop using drugs as a precondition of support.

Often, traditional approaches divide mental health concerns and substance use/misuse issues, encouraging people to go to different providers for these issues. This can fragment treatment, limit recovery, and perpetuate the social stigma about people who use substances.

Harm Reduction psychotherapy is a holistic approach, working with the whole person and combining substance use/misuse and additional concerns (such as stigma, depression, trauma, or anxiety) to be treated simultaneously in a non-judgemental way. Drug and alcohol problems are addressed alongside other social, emotional, health and occupational concerns. 

This allows the client’s individual needs to take precedence, instead of having abstinence as the assumed goal, and allows the clients to identify the harm being done to themselves and others, and to set goals based on their individual needs. Working together, the client is able to choose the most urgent issues on which to focus and reduce harm. This is done by establishing goals, and implementing gradual, realistic steps to achieve them.

My harm reduction work extends beyond addiction and is integrated into my work with any behavioral patterns that feel risky.  If you or someone you know is curious about Harm Reduction Therapy, I’d love to chat with you about that.