Becoming a counselor gives you many opportunities to work with different people on different issues. When choosing to work with individuals who have substance abuse addictions, it is important to understand all of the issues that could come up. One place you can get information is the Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21. Within this publication is 123 competencies that are essential to counseling those who have substance abuse issues. This paper will give you information on ten of the competencies using knowledge, skills, and attitudes. There are four transdisciplinary foundations in the TAP 21; the first one is an understanding addiction. In competency 2 the role of the counselor is to “Recognize the social, political, economic, and …show more content…
Competency 18 requires the counselor to have the role of understanding cultures, people with disabilities and incorporate them into practice. Knowledge needed is understanding how a person’s culture influences behavior, intervention for different cultures, understanding the Americans with Disability Act and knowing of resources. The counselor must accept their sensitivities of culture and accept others values. Competency 19; the role of the counselor is to make sure they have self-awareness. They should know their strengths and weaknesses and their bias. It is necessary to accept constructive criticism and want to change and grow. Competency 20 the role is to understand ethics and standards of conduct. The knowledge needed is to know the principles and methods, case management, characteristics of crisis and debriefing. It is important to be able to conduct yourself according to the standards, ethics, and expectations. Competency 21the role of the counselor is to understand the role of gaining knowledge and continuing supervision. They need to see the value in guidance, methods, knowledge and personal growth. Gaining a relationship with your supervision and committing to being a lifelong learner is the attitude that is needed. The role of the counselor for competency 22 to play a part in the treatment and prevention of clients. Knowledge required is to understand research models, know the difference between prevention and treatment and to know the benefits of working with others. The counselor has to be open to research strategies and appreciate the value of prevention. Counselors play many roles and need to make sure they are well educated and understand all aspects of
Official Site in Addiction Technology Transfer Center. Ethical Challenges for counselor competency. 23. May. 2000. Online Available
Christine’s current position requires a bachelor’s degree in a health related field, although she noted other counselors at her place of employment have master’s degrees. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in the State of New Jersey. Certification involved verifying education and experience, completing an exam, and paying a fee. Christine is also a member of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Membership in this organizat...
Chemical dependency counseling involves direct interactions with the clients and as such standards need to be set which will promote safe and accountable counseling. Chemical dependency counseling has a set code of ethics, guidelines and regulations that seek to safeguard the interests of everybody involved. Laws and ethics ensure that everyone acts in a way that does not cause harm to others. Laws and ethics also help to give the profession its credibility. The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (2014) gives provisions on the conduct of counselors as stipulated by the law. Chapter 135-7-01 provides the various responsibilities of counselors to their clients. Every counselor has a responsibility to their clients. It is their primary duty to promote the welfare of their clients and meet the client’s best interests.
The counseling session should be centered on the client and their understanding of their world and/or problems not heavily weighted on the counselor interpretation of the client’s situation. The role of the counselor is to examine a problem needs changing and discover options in overcoming their problem. Bringing about change can help change the client’s narrative on their problem in the future and/or on life in the process.
...ives from the implementation of an empathic, hopeful continuous treatment relationship, which provides integrated treatment and coordination of care through the course of multiple treatment episodes” (Watkins, 2015). Whether, confronted with a substance use disorder, gambling or sex addiction the way in which a counselor work with the client in an open helpful manner is the key to motivating the client to change their behaviors. “A man convinced against his will, Is of the same opinion still” (Carnegie, 1981). The most piece of the helping relationship is that the client is the lead in their care, as they are the ones that will be making the decisions for their care. A counselor is essentially a trained skillful teacher that guides an individual toward their best recovery options and it is up to the individual to make the needed changes in their life and behaviors.
Those characteristics include, a desire to help others, attention to detail, and emotional and mental strengths. A desire to help others is one of the most important characteristics. If a person does not have the desire or want to help others, they would not succeed in this field. Additionally, if the desire to help others is not present, not only with the counselor suffer, but so would the people seeking and needing assistance. It is imperative to possess this quality so that the people in need receive the quality care that they need and deserve. If the counselor does not have this characteristic, then they will be lacking in all other areas. Since counselors and all mental health professionals interact will all types of people, it is necessary that he or she be alert and pay close attention to detail that the client may not divulge. For example, it is hard for an abused child or an abused woman to share all of the details about their abuser. In many cases it is because of fear. Whatever the case may be, it is important that all counselors pay close attention to detail in any situation. It is also very important for the counselors to take care of themselves. Dedicated counselors can get so involved in their work that they can become burnt out. If the mental health professional becomes worn out, it could affect the way in which they interact
To be a substance abuse counselor, a person should be able to communicate well orally and through writing. They should have the education and experience to give the best possible suggestions to their
I have wanted to be a counselor since my freshmen year of high school and in the counseling field there are many specialties that I can focus on. I am fairly certain that I want to specialize in helping people with substance abuse and their families. I have always focused my studies, interests, and work on things that will help me in this field and I have a lot of qualities that help to enhance me in my eventual career. There are difficulties when I get to practice also like what people perceive as correct counseling style, challenges with my gender and race, and finally creating my own counseling style and plans.
A vulnerable population are people that have specific characteristics, or risk factors, that increase the probability of developing health problems (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012, p.103). A Vulnerable is important because anyone can become a part of this population. One is going to be describing the characteristics of substance abusers. Next, give the common health issue and needs. Then, give specific resources that Peoria have to offer. Finally, how substance abuse relates to Healthy People 2020. Overall, this will give one an overview of the vulnerable population such as substance abusers.
Principle #1: Competent practice in alcohol and drug counseling has evidence of effectiveness, is fundamentally research-based and encourages objectivity and critical thinking on the part of the counselor. This reflects a depth of scholarship in your education.
Addiction counselors work with individuals and groups to help them overcome their substance abuse problems. This is accomplished through assessing the needs of the client, helping the client set goals and providing important resources. For example, many addiction counselors host group meetings and connect their clients with community resources. Addiction counselors help their clients identify inappropriate and unhelpful behaviors and thought patterns that contribute to their lifestyle choices. They also teach their clients important coping skills and positive mental techniques.
McLeod, J. and McLeod, J. (2011) Counselling skills: A practical guide for counsellors and helping professionals, 2nd editions, New York: McGraw Hill
They should be sensitive towards the client’s emotions and not be judgemental. Approach should also be developmentally and culturally appropriate and interaction void of any prejudice and discrimination (see ACA E.5.b. Cultural Sensitivity (in Diagnosis of Mental Disorders) & E.6.c. Culturally Diverse Populations (in Instrument Selection)). For example, while counselling a child, counsellor must be able to understand the perception of the child which may involve elements of immaturity and fantasy and not seek to correct the child’s worldview to match that of an adult. Such behaviour will diminish the child’s self-esteem and stress the child, causing harm instead of
This paper will discuss the following 4 Core Functions of a Counselor: Case Management, Client Education, Crisis Intervention, Referral and their primary purposes.
It is best not to sugarcoat or exaggerate skills. Stating a limitation does not deviate from legal or ethical practices. The social worker has the ability to obtain the skills needed or enlist the assistance of someone who has the knowledge needed. An element of surprise in the counseling relationship is not suitable. The planned change process is agreed upon between the worker and the client.