The document discusses the author's interest in becoming a substance abuse counselor based on a career assessment. The author interviewed Hannah at The Heart of Hope, a substance abuse counseling center in Llano, Texas. Hannah explained that the position would require a master's degree and LCDC certification. An outpatient counseling setting typically has office hours from 8am to 5pm, with the first appointment starting between 8:30-9am. The author found that the role aligns with their values and interests but would require further education. They plan to pursue social work instead due to a shorter timeline to completion.
Coun 533 ethical self reflection part 2MorganPalser
After watching the film, "Good Will Hunting", I describe the important components that a counselor and client will have in their relationship. I also described how the counselor can have an effective impact on a client, while also maintaining ethical boundaries.
Coun 533 ethical self reflection part 2MorganPalser
After watching the film, "Good Will Hunting", I describe the important components that a counselor and client will have in their relationship. I also described how the counselor can have an effective impact on a client, while also maintaining ethical boundaries.
This 90-minute webinar will provide guidance to professionals working with military families on ways in which they can facilitate and promote healthy relationships. In an effort to prevent intimate partner violence/domestic abuse and sexual assault, the speaker will provide resources, strategies, and tools throughout this presentation.
This 90-minute webinar will provide guidance to professionals working with military families on ways in which they can facilitate and promote healthy relationships. In an effort to prevent intimate partner violence/domestic abuse and sexual assault, the speaker will provide resources, strategies, and tools throughout this presentation.
2. When I enrolled in this class I was dedicated to becoming a social worker, I never gave
much thought to anything else. I have wanted to help children ever since I can remember, but
upon taking the survey in the last lesson I realized that there is another way that I can help not
only children but adults as well. I have given this a lot of thought, and I figured why not help the
parents as well as the children, and so I decided to do a little research on my own. In the focus
assignment a substance abuse counselor came up in my list of potential career paths, so this is
what I chose to do this assignment on. I live in a small town and throughout my life I have seen
families ripped apart due to substance abuse. I am not talking just methamphetamines, alcohol
plays a big role in substance abuse as well. In small towns there is nothing to do but sit around
and drink, and when people get drunk they tend to make bad decisions, and they experiment with
drugs.
Substance Abuse with Hannah at The Heart of Hope
In my small town of Llano it is well known that there is a drug problem so they opened
the Heart of Hope. This is a substance abuse counseling center and it is expanding faster than
expected. They are always overloaded and as of now they are having to hire more counselors so
they can take the load off. I spoke with Hannah at the Heart of Hope to do my informational
interview, their number is 325-247-4477, and due to it being so busy I had to call and get a
phone interview because she could not see me until next week in Burnet.
Online Research
In my interview I was really surprised that a substance abuse counselor came up on my
results in my focus assignment. Hannah explained to me that with a bachelors degree I could be
a case manager at Bluebonnet Trails or work for MHMR, but I would need a masters to branch
out on my own. In order to be a substance abuse counselor you need a LCDC (licensed chemical
3. dependency counselor) which you obtain through the state of Texas, and if you have a bachelor's
degree you need a lot of sociology, psychology, and human services classes and if you have
enough the only thing it does is reduce the number of intern hours that you are required to take. I
knew there would be a little more schooling and that I would have to obtain a certificate to be a
substance abuse counselor, but I did not know that it would take me almost as long as it did to
get my bachelors degree. Online it gave me some really great tips they were 1.) Volunteer with
children, adolescents or adults starting in high school and continue volunteering through college.
In many entry-level clinical positions, you need a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology
or community counseling and at least a year's experience. 2.) Work on listening to others without
insisting on your own point of view and problem-solving with your family and friends. 3.) Learn
a foreign language (Career Story). I think these will be beneficial to me in social work as well so
I will keep these in mind throughout my career. In day to day operations it depends on whether
you are in an outpatient setting or an inpatient setting. Outpatient settings are in an office and
they are usually Monday through Friday 9 to 5, but an inpatient setting can be around the
clock(Career Story). Inpatient setting would be more like rehabs, and in this setting they perform
detox and it could take anywhere from five to thirty days.
Interview with Hannah
If I were to go into substance abuse counseling I would be in an outpatient setting, so I
asked Hannah what the schedule was like. She said “we open at 8, but our first appointment is
not until 8: 30 or 9, I like to check my voicemails and emails first thing, and then I start getting
ready for my first patient. I will pull their file and review it so I am ready to assist them when
they arrive.” After the session she reviews her notes and adjust her plan accordingly. When in a
4. position as hers you develop each individual's plan of action, and sometimes it is court ordered
so you have to keep the judges informed as well as the CPS case workers.
I really liked the idea of helping the whole family fix their issues, so that maybe they
could keep their children, and I loved the idea of group counseling as well as individual
counseling. There is nothing that I disliked about this occupation in itself, but I do not want to
spend another four years to perform this occupation. I believe this occupation aligns perfectly
with my values, skills, and interests, so if I would have taken this focus assessment before I was
a senior at Texas Tech then I probably would have chose a different career path, and would be
well on my way to becoming a substance abuse counselor. I am still interested in this occupation,
I will follow it throughout my lifetime. If I ever get a chance to go back to school or obtain
another certificate or degree, then this will be the one that I will receive. If I obtain my masters
and get the LCDC certificate I could become a licensed counselor and open my own business,
but that could take a while. So as of now I will continue with my original plan and become a
social worker, and there are still some certificates that I will need to obtain, but it will not take
me near as much time, and I will still be doing something that I love. I will get to work hand in
hand with substance abuse counselors and maybe I will learn how to better assist the children as
well as the parents throughout my time as a social worker.
Reference Page
Career Story: Substance Abuse Counselor In An Out-Patient Clinic
6. 3. What are some extra courses I could take to assist these individuals to the best of my
ability?
Human services, psychology course like that
4. Why have people not worked out in this career, and what is the turnover rate and why?
There is not a lot of turnover rate in this office
5. What is the biggest hesitancy about adding me to your team?
none that I can think of off hand
6. What could I do to fix this?
7. What are your expectations for someone in the first 30, 60, 90 days?
30-get familiar with the routine, ask questions
60- know the routine, less questions
90 be fluent with the routine
8. What are the most important skills, abilities, and knowledge you are looking for in a new
hire?
people skills, compassionate but can be stern if need be, communication skills, know how
to listen and give valuable feedback
9. What is the potential growth?
there is room for growth and with a masters you could open your own substance abuse
clinic
10. How do you see my role providing value to your organization?
We would be lucky to have someone as passionate and willing to help as you
11. How is this position managed and who would I report?
12. What is the work environment like?
7. It is pretty laid back in this office
13. What did the previous employee in this position go on to do?
They are still here, we are just needing more counselors to cover the workload
Informational Interview Assignment Grading Rubric
Criteria Points Possible Points
Earned
General
Paper adheres to APA 10
formatting (title page, citations, references page, etc.).
8. Headings are appropriately labeled.
Filename is correct.
This rubric pasted at the end of the assignment.
Writing is clear with appropriate grammar, 10
spelling, and punctuation.
Interview information and reflection
Student clearly identifies an occupation 4
Student provides foundational knowledge 16
about the occupation
Student provides a 4
copy of an effective e-mail request
Student provides a copy of an effective thank you note 4
Student discusses what was learned through the 16
interview (5A-D)
Student reflects on interview and responds to 30
evaluation prompts effectively.
Student provides a copy of their 12 informational 6
