Post on 21-Aug-2015
transcript
Proven Techniques in Beginning Addiction Counseling
The primary step to becoming an
effective addictions counselor is that you must be very, very quiet
and listen. If you are really considering becoming an addictions
counselor there are certain things that you have understand. Above
all you are not be a rescuer, an enabler, or a therapist.
In essence you are a mirror of your
client; an emotional mirror for the person coming to you for help so
they ca
n allow their own feelings and thoughtshttp://vulgargimmick7561.webs.com/apps/blog/show/43421495-clash-of-clans-how-to to emerge andthey can
hear themselves talk about their problems.
This is a primary way for them to
develop possible solutions. The client must make their own
decisions---that is not your role. You are to be an active listener;
a facilitator. Below are four steps to listening to your client.
1. You must honestly want to hear what
the client has to say and you must take time from your schedule to
spend with this person. If you cannot take time to listen, tell the
client that you cannot and refer them back to your
supervisor or to another counselor.
2. You must genuinely accept the
client's feelings regardless of how different their feelings may be
from your own or how you feel this person "should" think or
feel or act. The client owns his/her thoughts and feelings; they
have a right to those. It is up to you to show respect for those
thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental manner.
3. You must trust the client's ability
to solve his/her own problem and consistently reinforce this belief
to the client. Otherwise, he/she will reinforce a negative feeling
they already have that they are incapable of solving their problems.
4. You must appreciate the idea that
feelings are constantly changing and what appears to be a problem of
tremendous magnitude at this hour or on this day may change very
quickly.
Your effectiveness with your client
will depend largely upon the relationship you have with that client.
To recap the above in becoming an
effective addictions counselor, you must be a very quiet listener and
not a rescuer, enabler, or therapist. You must want to hear what the
client has to say and make time to hear is. If
you cannot, contact
your supervisor. You must always accept the client's feelings; they
own them, not you. You must show respect for those feelings. You
must believe in the client's ability to develop a resolution to their
problems; you are a facilitator. And you must understand that
feelings constantly change and what appears to be a magnanimous
problem today may change very quickly. And most of all: Be
patient... Very patient!