About Us
Enhancing Sessions
Therapists help others every day — it is our mission to support them in that effort.
About the Method
Taking the Esclator Methodology is Explained in Detail in the Following Publications:
Taking Another Look at Addiction, Recovery and Sobriety
Why Take a Different View?
Understanding Some Key Concepts in a New Light
Motivation and Insight
What Exactly is Insight?
Enhancing Insight Part 1
Enhancing Insight Part 2
Internal Motivation
External Motivation
Addiction as an "Incurable" Disease
Managing Setbacks Using the Escalator
The 10 Principles of the Escalator Change Process
13 Expectations and AspirationsMASTER THE METHOD: Starting Here:
The Tools of Engagement Intro - The Puzzle: Then and Now
Understanding the Escalator Method from a Theoretical Perspective
Taking the Escalator: Evidence-Based Theoretical Basis
The Escalator Method is a Combination of the following Evidence-Based Treatment Practices & Perspectives:
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The Stages of Change (aka the Transtheoretical Model)
Harm Reduction (HR)
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders
Co-Occurring Disorders (Version 2)
Intro to Coexisting Issues (COI)
Engagement Skills for Clinicians: Background:
What is Engagement?
The Ideal Vs. The Real in Substance use Treatment
Examining Your Comfort Level
Engagement at the Intake/Assessment: Mission Impossible
Understanding the Key Roles of Insight & Motivation for Engagement in Counseling
Practical Strategies for Engaging Clients in Substance Use Treatment
The Tools of Engagement:
Take Time to Engage
Just Be Nice
Let Go of Your Ego
Be Positive
Judging What it Really Means to be Nonjudgmental
Sometimes the Counselor Must be an Entertainer
Empathy is Your Lifeline: Never Let it Go
Candor and Honesty are Your Shield
Values
Values and CBT
Taking an Interest
Engagement: Illustrations and Analogies
Additional Key Thoughts to Always Keep in MindWorking with Adolescents and Young People
Culture. Meaning, Purpose and Belief: Broadening the View - Understanding over Assumption
Integrating Coexisting Issues by Treating Substance Use and Mental Health Together
The Challenges of Working with Clients who are Primarily Externally Motivated
Setbacks and Engagement: For Counselors
Engagement, Safety and Risk: An Assessment Framework
Challenges Helping Families with Substance Use Issues
Obstacles to Engagement
Escalator Methodology Overview and Engagement Skills ListHalf Measures for Good Measure
Heroin is a Game Changer
The Marijuana Legalization Issue
Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in a Mental Health Setting - (A compilation of info for training MH providers)
What's Wrong with Mandating 12 Step Meetings?
How to Handle the "Are you in Recovery?" Question if you are not in Recovery
13 Guiding Principles of Escalator Support Groups
Opinion: Venting about VapingThe Builder
Jails, Institutions or Death...So What!
For Families - Can Tough Love be Too Tough?
The Right Dose (The Power of Encouragement)
Unfollowing the Nonsense
A Book Written by a Social Worker?
Three Paths - An Effective Way to Answer the "Is Marijuana a Gateway?" Question
A Life-Changing Assignment
Founder
Kenneth Pecoraro
LCSW, LCADC, CCS
A Word from our Founder
Kenneth Pecoraro LCSW, LCADC, CCS, has been the Director of Addiction and Co-Occurring Services at CPC Behavioral Healthcare since 2001. Kenneth got his Masters at Rutger's University and he has been in the substance use and mental health treatment feild for 30 years specializing in co-occurring disorders.