Substance Abuse Counseling
Helping people recover from their addictions. Substance abuse counselors work in this specialty and may counsel men and women of all ages. Substance abuse counselors aim to provide the advice, treatment and ongoing support necessary for addicts to recover. Counselors work with teams of healthcare professionals to address the physical, mental and emotional needs of each patient. Addiction counselors may assist patients during only one phase of the recovery process or through the entire process, from detox to rehabilitation. Counseling duties can vary based on the specific addiction, the setting and the counselor's role. For example, a counselor in a residential treatment facility may perform room inspections, whereas an outpatient counselor would not.
Substance abuse counselors may work with their patients on similar issues, such as eating disorders, prescription drug abuse or tobacco addictions. In general, substance abuse counselors evaluate, detoxify, treat and support patients in a one-on-one or group environment. They employ interview techniques and diagnostic tests to determine whether a person is ready for treatment and which therapeutic methods should be used. They help patients set goals, and then they monitor progress on those treatment plans. After offending substances have left the bodies of their patients, counselors help the patients process the experience, by helping them recognize how this moment was reached, how to avoid or cope with situations that once led to substance abuse, and how to focus on more positive and productive aspects of life. Since support is a key aspect of preventing relapse, counselors also refer patients to supplemental services, such as legal advice or employment agencies. They often talk with family members about ways to assist in the recovery process, which can include supporting clients in joining support programs such as Alcoholic Anonymous.
Substance abuse counselors can work with nothing more than a high school diploma, but those with more credentials can offer more types of treatment. As with any therapy position, practitioners need certifications to counsel patients, and these requirements can vary by state and discipline. Substance abuse counselors also need to have personal skills, as well as discretion, in dealing with their patients.
Marriage & Family Counseling
Marriage counseling, also called couples therapy, is a type of psychotherapy. Marriage counseling helps couples of all types recognize and resolve conflicts and improve their relationships. Through marriage counseling, you can make thoughtful decisions about rebuilding your relationship or going your separate ways.
Marriage counseling is often provided by licensed therapists known as marriage and family therapists. These therapists have graduate or postgraduate degrees — and many choose to become credentialed by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Marriage counseling is often short term. Marriage counseling typically includes both partners, but sometimes one partner chooses to work with a therapist alone. The specific treatment plan depends on the situation.
Rehabilitation Counseling
Rehabilitation counseling is a systematic process which assists persons with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities to achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals in the most integrated setting possible through the application of the counseling process.
Mental Health Counseling
Some mental health counselors help people who have normal cognitive processes cope with difficult life events, for example, physical illness, death of loved ones, and relationship problems or divorce. Others help people manage serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder. Counselors need to know when to refer clients or patients for additional resources and how to identify when abuse may be happening or when there is a risk of suicide or other violence.
Cognitive therapy is among the most common techniques, but some employ other therapies. Some clinical counselors specialize and work with a particular population, for example, the elderly. Mental health counselors may work for a variety of agencies: individual and family services, hospitals, and inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities. Some are in private practice.