Last Updated on February 9, 2017 by Morris Green

It’s the bread and butter of a substance abuse counselor’s job. It’s the major component of their clients’ treatment plans that leaves a lasting impact. It’s the sixth core function, and it’s called Counseling. According to Dictionary.com, counseling is a noun and a verb meaning to give “professional guidance” with the goal of “resolving personal conflicts and emotional problems.” But for counselors working with clients recovering from addiction, it’s so much more.

Counseling Settings

A counselor works one-on-one and in group settings. Sometimes they counsel couples. In these settings, they apply a special set of skills designed to help individuals, families, and entire groups of people to achieve objectives by exploring a problem. Exploration is three dimensional. Instead of being limited to a two dimensional, right versus wrong outlook, counselors dive into the depths of ramifications, examining attitudes and feelings, posing and considering alternative solutions, and exploring decision-making.

How to Best Guide Clients

The global criteria of counseling focuses on best practices. Your ability to best match a program or service to the needed counseling techniques will be vital. According to the Twelve Core Functions of the Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor, as you embark, you can expect to…

• Select the best counseling theory (or theories) that apply to your client.
• Apply the needed technique(s) to best assist an individual, a group, or a family in exploring specific problems by zeroing in on cause and effect.
• Apply a technique (or series of techniques) designed to assist an individual, a group, or a family in examining behaviors, attitudes, and feelings.
• Tailor individualized counseling to meet cultural, gender, and lifestyle differences.
• Interact with your client(s) in the best and appropriate therapeutic manner.
• Prompt solutions and decisions from your client(s).
• Implement an appropriate treatment plan.

It’s important to understand that counseling is used to develop a therapeutic relationship. One of the greatest challenges you will face as a counselor is identifying and maintaining professional boundaries. Your goal will be to help your clients resolve their problem(s). Resolutions will be as unique as each person you counsel, and it will fall to you to help them find and utilize the available and appropriate resources to achieve their goals. You can expect to use a wide range of methods, including:

• Client-Centered Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Reality Therapy
• Strategic Family Therapy

Understanding Substance Abuse Counseling Accountability

The tools and resources at your disposal will be numerous, but they will not be haphazardly or blindly chosen. You will be tasked with explaining the rationale behind a chosen counseling approach, and if and when the approach changes during counseling, you must then be ready to explain why. You will be held accountable for how you counsel.

Counseling is one of the most potent evidence-based treatment methods for overcoming substance abuse problems. Substance abuse counselors have an unparalleled ability to initiate change. With great power comes great responsibility, and it will be your duty to remain responsible, reasonable, rational, and above all, professional.