Alabama Department of Mental Health-Office of Deaf Services
and ADARA PRESENTS
Optimizing Outcomes:
Substance Use Disorder and the Deaf Population
Understanding Cross Language and Cultural Challenges
Friday, February 19, 2016
9:00 am to 3:00 pm (5.0 clock hours)
Registration fee: $25 paid prior to January 31, 2016
$35 if paid after January 31, 2016 or at the door
$15 registration for full time ITP Students (Non-certified, non-working)
Registration fee waived for CMHCs and SA Center contract providers of ADMH
*Lunch on your own
Presenters
Deb Guthmann, Ed.D. and Cindi Sternfeld, Ed.S.
Alabama Public Library
6030 Monticello Drive, Montgomery, AL
This session is targeted at service providers who specialize in some aspect of deafness (substance abuse
providers, counselors, therapists, rehabilitation specialists, direct care staff, teachers, and interpreters, etc.). Drs.
Guthmann and Sternfeld will discuss significant influences deaf/hard of hearing substance users. This course will
include a discussion of barriers that deaf/hard of hearing individuals face when getting treatment. Various recovery
steps from clinical approaches, relapse prevention, aftercare, self-help information that is part of the recovery
process for deaf and hard of hearing individuals will be identified and analyzed. Resources will be explored further
for professionals working with the deaf/hard of hearing users.
During this training, participants will have a thorough understanding of the cultural aspect of deafness on substance use disorder,
hear various approaches and create an understanding of therapeutic approaches, milieu, and resources.
 Discuss the obstacles that are present for the deaf population
 Develop an in-depth knowledge base for assessing deaf substance users
o Identifying key issues involving thought processes
o Analyzing impact of outside world to their deaf world
o Understanding trauma causing significant substance use
 Discussing dilemmas one encounters in this field of work;
After the training, participants will be able to:
 Demonstrate an understanding on various environmental factors’ impact on deaf substance users
 Identify approaches necessary to make their recovery process a success;
 Develop resources and network for effective treatment options
5.0 Clinical Hours (0.50 CEs) pending. 0.50 RID CEUS provided for Interpreters.
AUDIENCE: FOR DEAFAND/OR SIGNING PROVIDERS
Currently eligible Certified Mental Health Professionals, Nurses, Social Workers, Counselors, Drug/Alcohol Counselors,
Case Managers, Psychologists, Domestic Violence Providers, MH and SA Providers, Nursing Home Providers,
Interpreters in Mental Health, Community Interpreters, Educational Interpreters, etc.
Friday, February 19, 2016 (Non-signing participants)
Deb Guthmann, Ed.D. worked for the California School for the Deaf for 17 years as the Director of Pupil Personnel
Services where she was responsible for all clinical services. She is the founding Director of the Minnesota Chemical
Dependency Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals which is one of the first inpatient treatment
programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals in the country. Dr. Guthmann has made over 200 national and
international presentations, written numerous articles and several book chapters focusing on ethical issues,
substance abuse and treatment models to use with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She is also a nationally certified
interpreter through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
Cindi Sternfeld, Ed.S. maintains a private counseling practice in Lambertville, NJ. She has a Master’s degree in
Mental Health Counseling with a post Master’s certification in Addictions Counseling. Her Ed.S. is in Marriage and
Family Therapy. She has extensive Sex Therapy training, is a Level II EMDR Therapist, possesses National Counselor
Certification and is a Master Addictions
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
Eligible participants must be in attendance for the full program to receive credit for completing the course.
The Alabama Department of Mental Health

is an approved RID CMP Sponsor. This activity has been awarded 0.50 CEUS in the area of Professional Studies by The
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf at the “some” Content Knowledge Level for CMP and ACET participants. Activity #
0263.0216.05.
Clinical CEs are pending for Substance Abuse Counselors, Counselors, Nursing, Social Workers, and Psychologists.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS OR TO SUBMIT YOUR REGISTRATION:
Checks should be written to ADARA and mailed to:
Office of Deaf Services
Alabama Department of Mental Health
PO Box 301410, Montgomery, AL 36130
FAX: 334-242-3025
PHONE/VP: 334-353-7415 or 334-239-3780
shannon.reese@mh.alabama.gov
In the event the workshop is cancelled, you will be notified by email.
No refunds will be provided for participant cancellation.
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