Counseling Perinatal Clients with Substance Use Disorder: A Relational Approach

ABSTRACT

Treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) is frequently accompanied by concurrent trauma counseling. However, the needs of perinatal clients with SUD remain unaddressed, despite their clinical and multicultural needs concerning trauma, gender, and perinatal status. Relational cultural theory (RCT), which aims to enhance clients’ capacities for relational resilience and growth-fostering relationship, may help augment client access to adaptive support networks. We present an overview of the clinical needs of perinatal clients with dual diagnoses and propose a creative and relational approach to this vital work.

KEYWORDS:

• Perinatal
• substance use disorder
• trauma
• gender-responsive treatment
• relational cultural theory
• creativity in counseling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).