Working with Clients Who Utilize Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD): A Clinical Resource for Mental Health Providers

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About Course

This clinical resource is designed for mental health practitioners to enhance their competency in supporting clients engaged in medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). As the opioid crisis continues to impact communities, clinicians must understand how to integrate medical and therapeutic models of recovery effectively.

The course moves beyond medical facts to focus on the therapeutic support of clients in MAT, providing a whole patient approach that combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies. Participants will explore the history of opioid treatment, the pharmacological differences between agonists and antagonists, and the core philosophy of harm reduction.

Through a structured nine question assessment framework and the clinical case study of Anna, providers will learn to navigate the complexities of treatment, including addressing self-stigma, managing social and systemic barriers, and responding to a return to use.

Key Training Structure

Part 1: Foundations of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Covers the history and purpose of MAT, core medications (methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone), and the principles of harm reduction. Includes how MAT affects the brain and supports biological stability, with introduction to team-based care.

Part 2: Navigating Clinical Complexities in MAT
Focuses on MAT-informed assessment and real-world application, including client stability, withdrawal, and support systems. Addresses stigma, mandated treatment, and engagement barriers, with practical strategies to improve retention and outcomes.

Instructor: Heidi Brescher, PhD, LCSW-QS
CE Credit Hours: 2 Contact Hours
Delivery Format: Online Self-Study
Course Level: Introductory
Target Audience: Mental health professionals and behavioral health providers

Completion Requirements
Participants must complete all required course materials and pass all required assessments in order to receive a certificate of completion.

Disclosure Statement
The instructor reports no known conflicts of interest or commercial support related to this program.

Learning Objectives
• Identify core principles of medication-assisted treatment
• Differentiate between common MAT medications
• Recognize barriers and stigma associated with treatment engagement
• Apply behavioral health strategies relevant to MAT populations

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Course Content

Part 1: Foundations of MAT: An Overview for Clinicians
This module establishes the clinical and philosophical baseline for working with clients in medication-assisted treatment. Key Terminology: Defining Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and the core philosophy of Harm Reduction. The Clinical Context: Reviewing the history of opioid treatment, the current impact of the opioid crisis, and the regulatory evolution of care. Frameworks for Recovery: Comparing the medical model of MAT against abstinence-based recovery models like Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Pharmacology Basics: Understanding how medications work in the brain, specifically the differences between full and partial opioid agonists.

  • Lesson 1: Foundations of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Definitions, History, and Pharmacology
  • Lesson 2: The Biological Mechanism of Recovery: How MAT Affects the Brain
  • Quiz 1: Applying Core MAT Principles to Clinical Practice
  • Lesson 3 :Biological Stability and the MDT
    01:11
  • Lesson 4: The MAT-Informed Assessment Part 1: Journey and Stability
  • Match Activity: Match each MAT assessment domain with its correct focus.
  • Lesson 5: The MAT-Informed Assessment Continued: Clinical Stability, Withdrawal, and Social Support

Part 2: Navigating Clinical Complexities
This module explores the practical challenges of managing Medication-Assisted Treatment beyond the initial assessment. We examine the systemic and self-directed barriers to recovery, with a primary focus on the impact of stigma. Participants will learn to navigate high-risk clinical situations, address common treatment obstacles, and apply ethical decision-making within a harm-reduction framework. This section provides the tools necessary to support long-term patient stability in a complex clinical environment.

Certificate of Completion

Receive a downloadable certificate documenting successful completion and continuing education participation.

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