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Get an introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of counseling in the field of substance abuse. Explore the characteristics of an effective counselor, the counselor role, ways to recognize dysfunctional patterns of communication and ethical considerations in counseling. Practice and develop skills in listening actively, building trust, reflecting feelings and content, and using confrontation. You also become familiar with issues of diversity and managing differences among clients.
Course Outline
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Course Objectives
- Review basic counseling theory and basic theories of addiction treatment.
- Learn to apply the stage of change model to resistant clients.
- Discuss professional ethics, boundary issues and self-care.
- Get an introduction to the fundamental techniques and critical elements of effective counseling and rehearse these techniques.
- Practice therapist interactional styles and behaviors, especially reflective listening, that predict good outcomes.
- Learn how to help clients overcome common roadblocks to participation in 12-step programs.
- Understand functional analysis, the core concept of cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Know the primary issues related to ethnic, gender and sexuality differences in basic counseling.
- Rehearse reflective listening in a practice counseling session, including handling common difficulties in clinical practice.
What You Learn
- Overview of chemical-dependency counseling
- Models of treatment
- Causes of addiction
- Stages of change and motivational interviewing
- Stages of change model
- Readiness to change and nonjudgmental approaches to denial
- Effective counseling
- Creation of a safe environment
- The therapeutic relationship
- Mutual goal setting
- Characteristics of effective counselors
- The role of unconditional positive regard, empathy and practice of reflective listening techniques
- The 12 steps and Alcoholics Anonymous
- Emotional, psychological, cultural and gender-related roadblocks to engagement and participation in 12-step programs
- Counseling from a cognitive-behavioral perspective
- Learning theory and application of functional analysis to addictive behaviors
- Reflective listening
- Ethnic, sexuality and gender-related issues affecting counseling
- Empowerment approaches
How You Learn
- Lectures
- Reading assignments
- Participation/discussions
- Role-play of counseling situations
- Final paper