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!