Alana Van Zanten speaking with Roland Williams, Executive Director of the Gorski-CENAPS Corporation, about Gorski relapse prevention theory, clinical supervision, consultation for addiction professionals, and the Staying Sober Workbook framework.

Consultation and Supervision in Gorski Relapse Prevention

Advanced consultation for clinicians working with relapse as a process—not an event.

Over the past four decades, research has consistently shown that relapse is not a sudden failure of will or motivation- it is a process that unfolds over time, often long before substance use resumes.

Alcohol and drug use do not mark the beginning of relapse; they represent its final stage.

Relapse begins much earlier, as individuals gradually return to patterns of thinking, emotional dysregulation, and behavioral coping that increase distress and make self-medication feel necessary.

As a faculty member with the Gorski–CENAPS model, I work closely with clinicians seeking to deepen their understanding and application of relapse prevention as a clinical framework- not just a set of techniques.

My consultation and supervision work is grounded in:

  • The original Gorski relapse prevention model

  • Clinical pattern recognition across emotional, mental, and behavioral relapse stages

  • Practical integration into real-world treatment settings

This work is especially relevant for clinicians who want to move beyond surface-level interventions and develop earlier, more precise clinical responses to relapse risk.

    • Clinicians who have completed or are completing Gorski–CENAPS Relapse Prevention School

    • Therapists seeking certification as Advanced Credentialed Relapse Prevention Specialists

    • Experienced practitioners wanting deeper clinical confidence in relapse prevention theory and application

    • Therapists encountering repeated relapse cycles in clients despite motivation and insight

    If you are newer to relapse prevention, consultation can help clarify the model and avoid common implementation pitfalls.

    If you are seasoned, supervision can sharpen pattern recognition and clinical decision-making.

    • Case conceptualization through a relapse prevention lens

    • Identifying early warning signs often missed in standard treatment

    • Translating relapse prevention theory into session-level interventions

    • Supporting ethical, effective use of the model in diverse clinical contexts

    I work in a collegial, supportive manner, with an emphasis on clinical thinking rather than prescriptive rules.

Many clinicians drawn to relapse prevention work are also navigating their own relationship to stress, responsibility, coping, and sustainability in this field.

While this page is focused on professional consultation, some clinicians ultimately seek individual therapy as part of their own growth or recalibration. When appropriate, I’m open to having that conversation.

Interested in consultation or supervision?

Complete this inquiry form, and I’ll follow up to discuss fit, availability, and next steps.