Motivating intervention engagement
Jennifer I. Manuel, Ph.D., joined the VCU School of Social Work as an assistant professor in 2011. Prior to beginning her VCU journey, she completed 3 years of postdoctoral work at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University Department of Psychiatry.
Manuel is the Principal Investigator of the Intervention for persons with Co-Occurring Disorders leaving Residential Treatment, funded by the National Institutes of Health. This study is designed to adapt and pilot test a nationally recognized intervention, Critical Time Intervention, for individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health needs who are highly vulnerable to relapse following residential substance use treatment. Although residential treatment has been shown to improve substance use and other outcomes, prior research suggests that only 14% of individuals attend outpatient services following residential substance abuse treatment, and less than half participate in self-help programs.
CTI addresses this by offering re-assimilation therapy for those who are transitioning from residential substance abuse treatment. The program is a 9-month, time-limited intervention that aims to produce long-term emotional and practical support services. The intervention motivates engagement in treatment through personal coaching, building problem-solving skills, advocacy in community agencies, and providing assistance developing a sustainable and enduring social support system for persons re-entering community settings.
Manuel worked on one of the original CTI studies with her longstanding mentor, Daniel Herman, Ph.D. Professor and Associate Dean at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
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