I have worked in the field and found that transitions via group therapy sessions are the best way. For example, the single session counselor also leads group sessions which are changed from morning and afternoon to a single session while the other incumbent takes over the other. It's worked out great in my opinion. Please email with any other questions which may not be appropriate in this forum but would likely help you.

Thanks and keep me posted.

By the way, aggressive 12-step facilitation is also a great option. There are several articles by J.S. Tonigan.

Thank you very much Irena, I will keep you posted on my progress.  I am exploring ways of making empowerment become at it's best while dealing with drug abusers in a psychiatric environment. I have a new system in the works for my thesis, known as the DEET-tool, (Diagnostics,evaluation,evolution,treatment) to create more singularity in hospital environments when it comes to following a patient's progress etc. For my project I am trying to pursue this for drug abuse with the technique/treatment form of empowerment. I will make this tool public once it is completed for more debate on how to improve it and I will very much take a look at the articles you mentioned. Thanks for your time. 

Bert - this is very interesting - what are the endpoints for your study and how are you measuring short and long-term outcomes?

I think a person can be empowered in treatment by allowing them to help to create the treatment goals, including the wording of that goal and interventions.  Transfer to another counselor can be difficult for the client and the counselor, but speaking frankly about the process and the loss can help counselor and client alike to learn that change is different from abandonment.

Devin,  will give you more information once my tool gets into a more complete version.

Thanks for all the answers guys and gals x

A Focussed Cognitive Behavioral approach might be most effective: Having the patient identify disempowering thoughts and beliefs and the resulting behaviors, identifying specific empowering thoughts and messages as well as actions that would match these positive messages.  Maybe even looking back at early experiences that helped in the formation of the negative beliefs and discussing the dynamics of the experience.

Thanks,  John.