5 New Year’s Resolutions for Being a Better Counselor
Being a substance abuse counselor comes with a great deal of responsibility. Responsibility to clients, the facility for which you work (or your employees if you are a manager or self-employed) and even to yourself. The stresses of the year can build up and reach fever pitch. Counselors that have been at it for years or decades with little regard for their own mental and emotional health can find themselves at a breaking point. What was once an exciting job helping others can quickly become a chore that not only stresses the counselor, but makes treatment less effective. To welcome 2019, we want to take a moment to review some tips to avoid burnout and start the new year refreshed.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia Approved Education Provider
The Academy for Addiction Professionals is very proud to announce that we have been approved as a continuing education provider for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia. Approval Number #: 20-01-21-1217
With this approval, those looking to enter the field of addictions as well as existing professionals who wish to complete continuing education or enhance their career with new certifications can take the courses offered by the Academy.
Individualized Treatment Plans vs Connecting with A Client
Log on to most treatment center’s websites and invariably you will find them touting “individualized treatment plans” as one of the key ingredients that sets their treatment center apart from the countless thousands of others nationwide. On the surface this may seem innovative and downright progressive, but is it really?
Before we dig deeper, bear in mind that individualized care is critical to the success of a client’s time in rehab and it must be considered when entrusting the well-being of your loved one to a particular facility. However, there are, arguably, equally or more important factors to be considered.
Welcoming Our Newest Instructor – Carlee!
The Academy for Addiction Professionals is very excited to welcome Carlee Pollard to our family of instructors. Carlee is currently a BHT at Destination Hope, a South Florida treatment center, where she assists the psychiatric ARNP and nursing staff in the medical department
Carlee was inspired to become a part of the treatment industry, in part, by her father, who has spent over 40 years of his career in the field. Her brother also works for a detox center in Southern California.
Carlee also takes a keen interest in health and fitness. She is an NASM certified personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and CrossFit coach.
Carlee is currently teaching her first CBHT class and we look forward to having you meet her at an upcoming Certified Behavioral Health Technician weekend session in our classroom.
Hiring Recovering Addicts in the Behavior Health Industry
One of the most unique parts of the behavioral health Industry is the fact that those recovering from substance abuse problems have excellent job prospects within the industry. In fact, the experience of having been addicted to, and then recovering from, a drug of choice is often an experiential quality that employers are looking for. Indeed, recovering addicts can offer a wealth of first-hand experience that can help other patients find hope in a seemingly bleak situation. Further, employment in the industry allows the recovering addict to have a second chance, while also helping those experiencing the darkest moments of their lives.
Addiction Professionals: Finding the Right Employer In The Field
Once a candidate has completed their education and received their addiction certification, the hunt for a job is on. Many of our students are surprised to see how strong the demand is for their qualifications, as demand for certified professionals in the addiction field is high. And while it may be exciting to be in demand, this is where the hard decisions have to be made. Not all addiction treatment facilities are created equally and not all will be appropriate for every employee.
Utilization Review: A Day in The Life
When prospective candidates consider the addiction treatment industry, they are often amazed at how many different job responsibilities exist in a treatment center. Of course, there is management, medical staff and behavioral tech, but other administrative positions, such as utilization review managers, make a huge difference in the continued operation treatment program.
Employee Training Options for Facilities
The Academy for Addiction Professionals has always been proud of our relationships with treatment centers across Florida and throughout the nation. We appreciate the trust they place in our programs to educate their employees. Oftentimes, whether at our classrooms or on-site, facilities have to set aside their employees’ time, usually all at once, to ensure they receive the appropriate continuing education.
A Day in the Life: Peer Support Specialist
Peer support in addiction treatment is neither a new nor controversial concept. Indeed, it represents a proven benefit to those in recovery. Peer support specialists are those who may or may not have been affected by drug use but have the willingness and ability to offer social support for those starting their recovery. Peer support specialists may be volunteers or professionals and are often people who have had great success in recovery themselves.
The peer support specialist is not a clinical role. However, the services they offer can make the therapeutic process more successful. The peer support specialist has four main roles:
A Day in the Life: Certified Behavioral Health Technician
The Certified Behavioral Health Technician or CBHT is one of the most important and frankly, underappreciated jobs in the addiction treatment industry. From a certification standpoint, it represents both an entry-level designation, but also an incredibly valuable way to gain firsthand experience into the workings of a treatment program.
CBHTs are at the front lines of treatment. They are typically the employees tasked with transporting and supervising clients when they are not actively participating in the treatment process (group therapy, individual therapy, etc.). They will ensure that all activities outside of the treatment program proceed as planned. BHTs will also assist counselors in their day-to-day clinical work with the clients. BHTs may have day or night shifts, as clients will require 24/7 monitoring.