What does an addictions counselor assistant do?

A community health counselor typically provides health and welfare support to the disadvantaged members of a community. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach out to community members, coordinating with schools and other institutions, and building positive relationships with the communities that they serve. They may also provide counseling sessions to individuals of all ages, conduct observations and assessments, perform interventions, and identify any signs of abuse or neglect, reporting to the authorities right away. Furthermore, they may refer families or individuals to other social services unit if necessary.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an addictions counselor assistant are more likely to require skills like "substance abuse," "chemical dependency," "powerpoint," and "client intake." On the other hand, a job as a community health counselor requires skills like "behavioral health," "rehabilitation," "discharge planning," and "mental illness." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, addictions counselor assistant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "substance abuse," "powerpoint," "client intake," and "financial aid." Meanwhile, a substance abuse counselor has duties that require skills in areas such as "substance abuse treatment," "rehabilitation," "excellent interpersonal," and "criminal justice." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Typically working at schools, communities, or medical facilities, a peer counselor specializes in providing counseling to an individual or group of people, aiming to help them deal with and overcome crises. Their duties often include conducting initial assessments through interviews and appointments, listening to clients and offering advice, recommending opportunities, referring them to other support agencies, and coordinating treatment services as needed. Above all, a peer counselor must provide emotional support and guidance to clients, giving them comfort and a shoulder to lean on.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an addictions counselor assistant is likely to be skilled in "patients," "social work," "chemical dependency," and "client intake," while a typical peer counselor is skilled in "peer support," "wic program," "mental illness," and "role model."

Often, counselors are known to be the go-to person in times we are in need of emotional and psychological support. They help people to manage and overcome the issues which affect their mental health and well-being. Counselors face different kind of situations which may involve trauma, addiction, disabilities, abuse, suicide, anger management, career, and even personal relationships. They provide care, counseling, rehabilitation, and support services. Every counseling requires collaborative effort both from the counselor and client to become effective.