Addiction Counseling Competencies

Counselors who treat people with substance use disorders do life-changing work on a daily basis, amid difficult circumstances that include staff shortages, high turnover, low salaries, and scant program funding. Counselors come to this important work by various paths and with vastly different skills and experience. The diversity of backgrounds and types of preparation can be a strength, provided there is a common foundation from which counselors work. This publication addresses the following questions: What professional standards should guide substance abuse treatment counselors? What is an appropriate scope of practice for the field? Which competencies are associated with positive outcomes? What knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) should all substance abuse treatment professionals have in common?Workforce development is essential to the field of substance use disorder treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has included workforce development in its Matrix of Priority Programs. A major focus of this workforce development strategy is improving the competencies of professionals in the field. This updated edition of Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21: Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (The Competencies) is a key component of that strategyThis guide enhances the competencies of substance use disorder treatment counselors. It discusses patient assessment and screening, treatment planning, referral, service coordination, counseling, family and community education, and cultural competency.

"This book is a unique approach in that it follows a client through the counselling process (intake, assessment, individual, group, family counselling, and then discharge and relapse prevention planning). Along the way, readers are introduced to theories, techniques and hands-on examples of what is required in the counselling process"--

This skill-building primer provides a framework for understanding substance abuse and teaches the basic concepts and skills necessary for effective counseling of clients with substance use disorders. In Part I, Dr. Yalisove discusses counselor roles and the fundamental principles of substance abuse counseling. He then provides a synopsis of several key substance abuse theories as well as his own Building Session Goals and Strategies method and the Eight Stage Process of Counseling approach, all of which are practical, compatible means for learning and mastering clinical counseling skills. Part II illustrates applications of the tenets of these approaches in clinical situations-from beginning counseling sessions through termination-using experiential exercises, role-plays, and clinical scenario examples. Chapters on group work, counseling clients with dual disorders, family counseling, and working with diverse client populations follow. A helpful chapter on creating client treatment plans and writing clinical reports rounds out the book. Dr. Yalisove's clear and concise writing style and his practical approach to developing critical thinking and counseling skills makes this an ideal supplemental text for addictions courses.--Amazon.com.