Knowledge Areas

 

A.                Human Behavior

1.                   Understanding the dynamics of:

a.                   Psychological functioning

b.                   Social adaptation

c.                   Physical health

d.                   Vocational development

2.                   Attitudes, values and lifestyles of various cultures and special populations.

3.                   How alcohol and drug use relates to human behaviors, attitudes, values and lifestyles.

4.                   The relationships between human behavior, cultural influences, societal norms (including laws) and alcohol and/or drug abuse.

5.                   Human sexuality, sexual dysfunction and sexual orientation and the importance of these factors.

 

B.                Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Including Pharmacological Factors

1.                   The categories of mood altering drugs including alcohol and their related psychological and physiological effects.

2.                   The effects of alcohol and other drug use, misuse and abuse in relationship to the following;

a.                   Individual body chemistry

b.                   Pregnancy

c.                   Set

d.                   Setting

e.                   Dose

f.                    Drug combinations

g.                   Routes of administration

h.                   Tolerance

i.                     Withdrawal symptoms

3.                   The complications resulting from the use of more than one mood altering drug including cross tolerance, potentiation, multiple psychological and physiological dependence.

4.                   The alcohol and other drug related psychological, physical and medical problems which may exist (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, drug induced psychosis, etc,) and the signs and symptoms indicating a need for other medical, psychological and social assessment.

5.                   The components of the withdrawal syndrome and the mechanisms of psychological and physiological dependence.

6.                   The criteria for evaluation of dependence including the different developmental stages, signs and symptoms, as well as behavior patterns of the alcohol and other drug dependent person during the progression through treatment and rehabilitation.

7.                   Recognized pharmacological reference materials (for example, Physician's Desk Reference.)

 

C.                Counseling Approaches, Philosophies, Methods and Objectives

1.                   Different approaches to counseling, including the philosophies, methods and objectives of each approach.

2.                   The practical application of these approaches to counseling:

a.                   Individuals

b.                   Significant Others (spouse, family, employer, etc)

c.                   Groups

3.                   The implications of counseling approaches to clients from various ethnic, cultural, economic backgrounds an special populations.

4.                   The philosophy, policies and practical appropriate voluntary self-help groups.

5.                   Techniques of evaluating therapy process and outcome of treatment.

 

D.                Continuum of Care

1.                   The mechanisms involved in coordinating a client's total treatment.

2.                   The services (prevention, intervention, treatment, aftercare, self-help groups, etc.) available to client and the community, including the limitations of each service.          

3.                   The social services (financial, marriage sexual counseling, etc) which are not designed specifically for the alcohol and other drugs of abusers, including client eligibility, referral procedures, follow-up mechanisms and limitations of each service.

 

E.                 Federal, State and Local Statutes, Administrative Rules and Regulations

1.                   The limitations and application of the statutes, administrative rules and regulations, which directly relate to the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, including commitment and protective placement procedures.

2.                   The statutes, regulations and current judicial decisions in regard to the counselor's relationship to the client and his/her family, with respect to the confidentiality and the client's human rights.

 

F.                 State Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Service System

1.                   The state resource agencies, organizations, facilities and centers which are directly concerned with alcohol and other drug use and abuse.

2.                   How to utilize these resources for obtaining information, materials, training and consultation.

Skills

           

A.                Counseling

1.                   Communicative skills

a.                   Active listening

b.                   Leading

c.                   Summarizing

d.                   Reflection

e.                   Interpretation

f.                    Confrontation

g.                   Self disclosure

2.                   Establishing an effective counseling relationship with the client by demonstrating:

a.                   Warmth

b.                   Respect

c.                   Genuineness

d.                   Concreteness

e.                   Empathy

3.                   Working with individual clients and/or families and groups:

a.                   Clarifying dysfunctional behavior and its ramification for the individual client.

b.                   Motivating the client to participate actively in the counseling sessions and develop functional behaviors.

c.                   Developing and implementing individual counseling programs according to client needs.

d.                   Problem-solving techniques, goal setting and decision making in conjunction with clients.

e.                   Termination of counseling.

4.                   Coordinating the designated continuum of services needed by the client.

5.                   Case follow-up.

 

B.                Client Assessment and Referral

1.                   Client intake process

2.                   Initial and on-going client evaluation process.

3.                   Interpretation and assessment of case records.

4.                   Assessment of the treatment plan or strategy for the purpose of evaluation and/or modification.

5.                   Identifying the additional resources and services best suited for the individual client.

6.                   Directing the client to additional resources and services.

7.                   Maintaining follow-up with the client and with service providers to assure that the client's needs are met.

 

C.                Case Management and Recordkeeping

1.                   The efficient, productive handling and coordination of and involvement with, clients throughout the counseling process, from the initial intervention or intake through disposition termination and follow-up.

2.                   The maintenance of up-to-date, accurate and understandable case files and records, including history, intervention, intake, progress reports, staffing, referral dispositions and termination.

3.                   Treating client files and records in accordance with federal, state, local and agency confidentiality regulations and the client's best interests.  This includes careful and professional disclosure in the discussion of material and/or specific client concerns in consultation, referral or client advocacy in an inter or intra agency setting.

4.                   Verbal and written communications with co-workers and supervisors.