Length

1 hour 24 minutes

Class Description

Using harm reduction techniques in herbal practice fosters a non-judgmental and education-forward environment for our clients. By meeting individuals where they are, acknowledging their experiences, and valuing their perspective, practitioners create a sense of trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship. This helps empower change in our clients and helps with client retention.

Many of our clients face significant challenges when attempting to change deeply ingrained behaviors. Harm reduction acknowledges the complexity of behavior change and focuses on incremental progress.

By setting achievable goals, recognizing small steps, and celebrating successes, practitioners support clients in their journey toward healthier choices. This gradual approach can help build motivation, self-efficacy, and resilience. In this class, we will go over the tenets of harm reduction and apply these skills to real case examples from Mel's clinical practice. You will learn how to co-create health plans with clients and use herbs to help mitigate some of the risks of common harm-causing behaviors such as tobacco use, addiction and disordered eating

About the Teacher

Mel Kasting, RH (AHG) is a practicing clinical herbalist, educator and emergent facilitator. As Clinical Program Director and Free Clinic Manager of the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine, she helps clients to get the support they need while guiding students through the rigorous process of preparing for and participating in active clinicals.

Her passion lies in both serving clients and empowering students to develop the essential relational health and clinical skills required to excel as herbal practitioners. Through Mel's clinic work, art and class facilitation, she explores the intersections of herbalism, botany, society, and somatic experiences to support plant-centered botanical medicine and celebrate the teeming diversity life has to offer