I have never been one to care about the letters that come after my name, but with the encouragement of an awesome employer, I went ahead and applied to be a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Below is the personal philosophy I wrote for my applications. Feel free to start a dialogue about drug/alcohol counseling in the comments. I’ll get you started….Do you think counselors that are in recovery are any more competent in their counseling abilities of substance abuse issues than clinicians that have never had a substance abuse issue?
A personal philosophy of counseling is essential for every counselor to be cognizant of in order to practice competently. Various methods and approaches can be effective with mental health and substance abuse treatments. The preferred methods I utilize are primarily Person-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, more specifically, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. An important aspect to consider when counseling includes finding the approach that most accurately matches the needs of the consumer receiving services.
Treatment of substance abuse disorders is not typically the only problem that individuals need to process in counseling. Everyone has stressors in their lives to some extent and a person that abuses or is dependent on drugs and/or alcohol is no exception. Carl Rogers emphasized three characteristics that has resonated in my therapeutic relationships: genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and empathy. These characteristics can be integrated when identifying, processing, and becoming mindful of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Our own life experiences often shape our values and treatment preferences. The efficacy of the above mentioned modalities were utilized in my personal life for nicotine cessation. After 12 years of nicotine dependence, I was able to successfully discontinue use of nicotine products. Whether a drug of choice is alcohol, nicotine, methamphetamine, opiates, or other substances, a person is capable of discontinuing use and learning relapse prevention strategies. A support system and person’s readiness to change are key components in their success rate. By becoming a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor I intend to continue working with individuals that present with both mental health and substance abuse disorders.