Last Updated on January 31, 2017 by Morris Green

The latest continuation of our series exploring the 12 Core Functions of Substance Abuse Counselors brings us to Orientation. This seemingly simple process is, in fact, full of opportunities to make your clients feel at ease and safe. Clients who feel like they enter a judgement free safe zone during treatment are much more likely to succeed.

The best way to encourage your clients to be comfortable is to be relaxed yourself, but it’s tough to exude ease without knowing orientation forwards and backwards. Knowledge is your best ally. This short guide will help you learn and remember the steps of orientation while also helping you integrate them into a thoughtful, personalized process that will quickly feel natural and easy. After all, your clients have traveled a hard, bumpy road. You have the unique opportunity to show them how simple attaining help can be.

Basic Criteria

These are the parts of the orientation process that are required. Keep in mind that no one person is expected to deliver all of the information required for this process. Other team members may communicate some of the details to the client; you need only ensure that they receive them all.

• Your client should be given an overview of their program goals and the objectives of the program regarding their care.
• The rules of the program should be described, along with the obligations and rights of the client.
• Program operations should be thoroughly described. These include details of what the client can expect to incur in the way of charges and financial obligations, policies regarding insurance and hours of operation, and services.

Making It Your Own

A great way to make orientation feel more natural is to treat it like a tour of your home away from home. If you aren’t already working or interning in a program, imagine one. Integrating the physical cues of a tour gives purpose as you move through the information that is important to your client and puts them at ease. It’s also helpful to incorporate other team members (or classmates) into this exercise. Dispensing medication, therapy, and many other services may be provided by different members of the team depending on the service provider you eventually work with or for. It can be helpful to have your colleagues explain those services.

Why Orientation Matters

Orientation is a stressful time for clients, so make it as welcoming as possible. You can accomplish this by following a simple checklist:

• Make sure each part of the orientation is clearly understood.
• Involve your client in their own care.
• Encourage a rapport throughout the process.
• Invite them to ask questions.
• Strive to make them feel in control and heard.

Orientation is often the first impression you make on a client, and it can set the tone for the rest of their treatment experience. Make this step as warm, welcoming, and inviting as possible while still making sure to impart all of the information your client needs to make the most of counseling.