- Listen to Ron's Interview with Asher Ravinowitz -  

A Substance Abuse Counselor’s Unique Approach to Recovery: Storytelling

Episode description:  

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to host Asher Rabinowitz, a clinical social worker and credentialed counselor as a guest on 45 Forward. Asher, who has worked in the field of alcohol and substance abuse treatment for the past 28 years, has helped thousands of individuals with what he calls a “simple, but not easy” approach, which he calls, aptly, the “ABCs of Recovery”—the letters representing Awareness, Boundaries and Consequences.  What makes Asher’s treatment system so distinctive is his approach to engaging people, motivating them to action, through stories that offers life lessons. In today’s episode, we’ll follow up with a closer look at storytelling as an unusually effective therapeutic tool. These stories are told in Asher’s newly released book, which includes a far-flung assortment over time and cultures, ranging from a 2^nd Century B.C. collection called the Panchatantra, to 17^th Zen Master Bankei Yotaku, to contemporary American storyteller Heather Forest. They are powerful tools, not only for those facing recovery, but for the rest of us seeking ways to manage life’s many challenges as we age.

Guest description:

For the past 28 years Asher Rabinowitz, a New York State licensed clinical social worker and credentialed alcohol/substance abuse counselor, has worked in the field of substance abuse treatment. His experience includes working as therapist and educator for adolescents, adults and families. He has served as supervisor for Buprenorphine services, training supervisor for in-service agency workers, and supervisor of out-patient services for a major methadone clinic in New York City. He currently practices in Valley Stream New York. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts Diploma from Yeshiva University New York, and a Master of Arts in Social Work from the State University at Stony Brook New York. Additionally, he has completed post-master’s studies in social work supervision, and substance abuse treatment. Mr. Rabinowitz has presented locally at the National Association of Social Workers Addictions Institute, nationally at the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence Conference and published in the international peer reviewed Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions.

   Contact:     janeve@optonline.net

   Website: https://abcsofrecovery.net/