What Makes a Good Substance Abuse Counselor?

I was contacted by someone who is pursuing this career.  Please answer these questions if you have an opinion on this topic:

1. What makes a good substance abuse counselor? 
2. What qualities should they have? 
3. What experiences with counselors have you had? 
4. What types of counselors work? Which don't? 

My answers:

1.  First and foremost someone who accurately understands what addiction is all about.  I think this is why most of the counselors we've come across are former addicts.  I don't think you absolutely have to be in recovery to make a good counselor, but at a minimum be someone who's been affected by it first hand.

2.  Confidence in what they are doing, able to speak honestly and firmly, intuitive (not being fooled by the cunning addict!), compassion, understanding, trustworthiness, and someone addicts can relate to (as opposed to someone who seems uptight and/or inexperienced about addiction and all that is involved in the recovery process).

3.  As the parent of an addict I have met several counselors that were assigned to my son at various rehabs.  The one that comes to mind was a woman named Catherine.  She was about 30, a former addict, she was intelligent, fun, and knew her stuff.  She had the ability to "read" the addicts she worked with.  What I liked most was that she brought up the tough topics that often people prefer to avoid.  She was firm and persistent but also compassionate.  Everyone loved her, they would joke and tease with her but also had a high level of respect for her and knew you could not fool her or get away with anything if she was your counselor.

4.  I think my answers above explain which types work.  The type that don't work are the know-it all type that come off as arrogant, those that are in it for any reason other than a passion for recovery and helping others in their journey, and those that are hard for an addict to relate to (this has nothing to do with age, gender, etc., its more about approachability and respect.  If a counselor is not aware of what life is like for an addict, or if they are clueless about current trends young people are into, they may not be taken as seriously.

Peace, Hope and Love, Barbara

Parent Project? Will It Help?

Just read about this on my cities local blog.  What do you think?  I have mixed feelings.

   Police Services is offering parents methods to deal with difficult or destructive behaviors in their children.  The Parent Project has been developed over 20 years to help kids develop into safe and responsible adults.

   Parents are invited to take part in 10-sessions designed to help children grow into safe and capable adults. The 10-week program helps parents learn and practice specific prevention strategies for defiant actions or destructive behaviors such as truancy, alcohol and drug use, gangs, running away, violence and suicide. Parents will learn to deal with poor grades and online gaming addictions.  They will also learn to understand teens and their use of technology.

   MV Deputies, including several of the School Resource Officers, receive 40 hours of training for the Projects, which assists parents with kids ages 11-19. 

   The $20 training includes the workbook and begins next Tuesday, February 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Murray Center. Parents can  register with Carla Kerr weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 949-470-8433.

Peace, Hope and Love, Barbara