Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts Therapy​

ABOUT THE CURRICULUM

The “Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts Therapy” curriculum is a literacy-free group counseling manual that uses cognitive behavioral (CBT) and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) techniques. It guides participants through the 12 Step principles for overcoming addiction as well as related psychoeducational topics. It contains 10 lessons using art, dance, game, horticulture, drama, handicraft, and music activities. It is authored by Melissa Davis-Stuebing, MA, CAC-AD and edited by Dr. Lauren Littlefield.

 

Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts Therapy drum circle

It was specifically developed for hard-to-reach substance dependent populations who might slip through the cracks of standard therapeutic services – such as illiterate and learning disabled populations, as well as participants with social anxiety, difficulty of self expression, trauma and co-occurring disorders. This curriculum requires just 1 facilitator. It goes through each of the 12 steps, forming recovery support groups at the completion of the curriculum so change can be sustainable and community owned. The 12 steps are a set of guiding principles for the person seeking recovery from addiction emphasizing peer support, behavioral change, spiritual wholeness and the importance of community.

It is available now in English language/US culture and Zambian culture versions. Spanish language / Latin American culture version is being field-tested prior to availability. It is currently being translated into Nyanja (Zambia). The Kenya version is currently part of a clinical study and CDC Program Evaluation.

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ONLINE TRAINING

Training is free with purchase of curriculum materials. Online trainings are endorsed by MD Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists for 4 Activity A Continuing Education units. Register for upcoming trainings below.
Purchase leader pack here

CHECKS: Checks can be made out to CoLaborers International (EIN:64-0960198) with “Literacy-Free 12 Step Based Expressive Arts Curriculum” on the memo and mailed to PO Box 123, Chestertown, MD 21620.

REGISTRATION FOR ONLINE TRAINING: Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts
Training is free with purchase of curriculum materials. Online trainings are endorsed by MD Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists for 4 Activity A Continuing Education units. In-person trainings are endorsed for 6 Activity A Continuing Education units.
 

Please complete the form below to register for the upcoming trainings. Current training is full. Check back for future trainings or be notified by completing the form below.

Click here to purchase leader pack

What’s included?

Each leader pack consists of a Leader Curriculum Guide, Drum Circle Instructional DVD or digital download &  Card Game. Because it is literacy-free, there are no workbooks needed for participants. The cost is $100 USD per leader pack. Bulk discounts are available for orders of 10 or more packs. Training is FREE with purchase. All international orders must contact Melissa@CoLaborersInternational.com in advance of payment for shipping estimate.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

“Why Literacy-Free?”

Substance use counseling materials were not widely available in Zambia, let alone materials that are culturally appropriate, and did not require literacy. The literacy rate in Zambia is 64% among the youth population; which  is lower than the average youth literacy rate in other lower middle income countries (Education Policy and Data Center, 2014).

 

“Cultural Appropriateness”

Literacy becomes a non-necessity as expressive arts becomes the primary mode of therapeutic learning and expression. Safety is found within the metaphors provided therein enabling people to share their problems that may not otherwise do so because of the stigma of sharing in a save face society. The expressive arts therein also includes expressive arts that are culturally specific to Zambia, namely lessons utilizing gourd art, dance, as well drum circles with traditional Zambian songs in the “call and response” style of singing in Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, Nyanja and Shona. The U.S. version of the curriculum offers expressive arts activities and artwork culturally appropriate for the U.S. 

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CLINICAL RESEARCH

EDARP CDC Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts Therapy CoLaborers International Melissa Stuebing

A clinical study of the Kenya version of the curriculum is currently ongoing 2023-2025 as part of a CDC program evaluation at Eastern Deanery AIDS Relief Program in Nairobi for substance-using people living with HIV. This followed training 54 of their clinicians in the curriculum. Check back for more details!

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A clinical study of the Zambia version of the curriculum is published here – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100424

Citation: Lorenz, H. S.*, Stuebing, M. D.*, Nambeye, C., Lungu, G., & Littlefield, L. M. (2022). Substance use treatment using cultural arts and 12 steps: Curriculum training and community-led implementation in Zambia. In Addictive Behaviors Reports (Vol. 15, p. 100424). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100424

*joint first authors

This clinical study was presented at the 2020 Eastern Psychological Association’s Annual Conference. Download the official program here.

Citation: Stuebing, M.D., Lorenz, H. & Littlefield, L.M. (2020, March). Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts Decreases Stigma and Substance Use in Zambia. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association: Boston, MA.

This curriculum was originally developed for homeless youth in Zambia, Central Africa and was field-tested in 3 studies by Brittany Hynson and Hjördis Lorenz , including a longitudinal study by Allyson Olkowski Arnold in 2016 at Chisomo Centers.

The study was presented at the 2018 Eastern Psychological Association’s Annual Conference in Philadelphia. Download the official program here.

 

Citation:  Stuebing, M.D., Arnold, A. & Littlefield, L.M. (2018, March). Hope to Change: Expressive Arts in Zambia with Substance Using Homeless Youth. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association: Philadelphia, PA.

 

Missionary Mike Peck, CSC-AD continued running these groups as a practitioner in Zambia after field-testing ended.

Results were shared with the Ministry of Health in Zambia, and we received their endorsement for a large training of over 40 organizations across the country. After this, we followed trained organizations as they delivered it to their communities and published this study.

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A clinical study of the US version of the curriculum is published here –  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07347324.2019.1681331

Citation: Melissa Davis Stuebing, Hjördis Lorenz & Lauren M. Littlefield (2019) Literacy-Free 12 Step Expressive Arts Curriculum Enhances Engagement and Treatment Outcomes for Dually Diagnosed Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders, Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, DOI: 10.1080/07347324.2019.1681331

This study was  also presented at the 2017 Eastern Psychological Association’s Annual Conference in Boston. Download official program here.