Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors in Mental Health

Key Responsibilities

• Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.
• Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
• Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
• Train or supervise student interns or new staff members.
• Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.
• Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities.
• Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.
• Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
• Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
• Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
• Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
• Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
• Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
• Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
• Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
• Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff.
• Supervise or direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
• Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.
• Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
• Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.
• Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions.
• Confer with family members or others close to clients to keep them informed of treatment planning and progress.