The program director and founder is a long-time resident of West Hartford.

Submitted 

Open to all Connecticut residents, UConn Health is offering 10 weeks of free, virtual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for alcohol and/or other substance use (including marijuana), from occasional to chronic use, for ages 14-21 with compensation up to $250 for participants.

This confidential, evidence-based substance use counseling treatment is offered in person (Farmington, CT campus) and virtually. It does not require health insurance.

Treatment may begin as soon as 1–2 weeks after a quick 15-minute phone screening.

Program Eligibility

• Connecticut residents ages 14–21
• Ability to speak and read English (parents/guardians don’t need to be fluent)
• Use of alcohol and/or other substances (including marijuana), from occasional to chronic use

Free Treatment Includes Virtual & In-person Options:

• 2 individual MET (Motivational Enhancement Therapy) therapy sessions prior to
• 8 weekly group sessions using CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
• Facilitated by LCSWs with ~20 years experience with this population, using a structured manual from our pilot study

Additional Details

• Participants complete baseline and follow-up research assessments at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for a total compensation of up to $250 in gift cards
• Treatment may begin within 1-2 weeks after the first call/phone screen to determine eligibility (about 15 minutes)
• No study medications, bloodwork, or invasive procedures 

Founded/Led by:

Dr. Yifrah Kaminer, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with over 30 years of clinical and research experience, recently featured in UConn Today, Fentanyl is in Our Backyard – Connecticut and Parents Take Action. He has collaborated with Root Center for Advanced Recovery, Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR), Wheeler Clinic, The Bridge, DCF, The Village for Families & Children, Catholic Charities, several universities/colleges, many high-schools and Juvenile Justice System/agencies throughout Connecticut.

He is happy to come to your organization in Connecticut or virtually to provide trainings, presentations, podcasts, Q & A sessions, etc., all at no cost.

The four main topics* he focuses on are:

• Marijuana Harmfulness and Youth Wellness: Who cares about the facts
• Youth Substance Use and Co-occurring depression and suicide
• Youth drug Overdose: A Review and the role of suicidal intent
• Youth Inclination for High-Risk Behaviors in a Developmental Perspective – impulsive driving, sensation seeking drug use & gambling, problematic internet and social media use (markers for other problems) and risky sexual behaviors

*Please note that he can customize a topic as well, as needed.

For more information, call 959-529-4538, email [email protected], or visit the Youth Recovery Program Website.

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