Competencies of Addiction Counselors

Competencies of Addiction Counselors

Paula Davis

Walden University

Competencies of Addiction Counselors

The first initial contact with a client I believe is an important step for an addiction counselor, because this can sets a positive precedent for the remainder of a clients experience through their recovery. By establishing and building a helping relationship with a client should be based on respect, empathy, and to be professionally and ethically responsible (Ruiz, Millman, & Langrod, 2004). Additionally, an addiction counselor must possess the following three competencies, throughout the process clinical evaluation, treatment planning, and service coordination.

Clinical evaluation is screening and to assess the type of addiction the clients is suffering from, current situation, or any other underlying information that could be provided by the client or family and friends to begin an action plan for services (SAMHSA, 2012). An addiction counselor must also be competent at this time to address any crisis situations that client may be encountering in need of help (SAMHSA, 2012). Another competency during the evaluation process an addiction counselor should possess is the ability and knowledge to use screening instruments, evaluate, interpret, and also recognize withdrawal symptoms or signs of a client that may produce psychological, social, and physiological signs due to their addiction and mental status (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2015).  All of these are important in directing and helping a client to find resources and services that are tailored to the client’s individualized needs (SAMHSA, 2012).

         During the evaluation stage, an addiction counselor must have the skills and be competent in making the decision if a client should be admitted for treatment or outpatient but at the same time be prepared to describe what diagnostic criteria they used and explain how the client’s substance abuse has affected their lives (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2015).  By gathering all the above essential information is the beginning stages of treatment planning and to see if the client is ready for treatment as well.

The second important competency part is explaining the assessment results, recommending a course of treatment, and then creates a treatment plan between the counselor and a client (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2015).  An addiction counselor needs to establish and identify the most problematic issues that need to be addressed immediately, followed by creating strategies and long term goals of the client, all of this will be beneficial for their recovery (SAMHSA, 2012). An addiction counselor must possess be competent, skilled and knowledgeable to relay the type of services the client will need, who will help them, and where and when the services will be provided (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2015).  This will give a client a road map to recovery.

The third competency I believe is important is service coordination. As I explained the who, what, when, and where of treatment plan services will give a client a road map, but an addiction counselor also has to be competent to know that some issues that are beyond his or her capabilities or skills (Hawaii State Department of Health, 2015). This is the part when services are coordinated outside of the counselor agencies to outside referral option (SAMHSA, 2012). This also comes with establishing and building collaborative relationships with other valuable community service organizations and knowing what services will be appropriate and assure the client will receive effective and quality treatment services to help them through their recovery process (SAMHSA, 2012).  

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