Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselor
Print Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselor.pdf
Background –
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors generally work with clients to assess the client’s mental and physical health and evaluate the need and readiness for treatment. With the help of the client, they identify behaviors that interfere with their recovery, create a plan for intervention and refer the client for outside services if necessary. In addition, educating the client and their family about addiction is usually an important aspect of the counselor’s duties.
What can I expect to make in this career? $41,070*
What classes at GVSU may help prepare me for work in this field? Discuss with your advisor which courses among those on this list, along with other courses not listed here, would best serve your career goals.
- PSY 452 – Counseling: Theories & Applications
- PSY 303 -- Adult Psychopathology
- PSY 381 – Group Dynamics
- PSY 357 – Psychology of Language
- PSY 331 – Adolescent Development
- PSY 310 – Behavior Modification
- PSY 302 – Psychology of Adjustment
- COM 202 – Critical Interpretation
- COM 301 – Interpersonal Communication
- COM 303 – Small Group Communication
What skills are applicable for work in this field? Excellent active listening and observation skills, empathy, interpersonal communication skills, as well as oral and written communication skills are very important. The ability to work independently or within groups, to organize multiple clients and manage time effectively, as well as handle stressful situations is applicable to this field.
Employer Possibilities –
- Western Michigan Treatment Center hiring “substance abuse counselor”
- Salvation Army hiring “Substance Abuse Therapist” part time
*Bls.gov (2016) for “Substance Abuse & Behavior Disorder Counselors”