Tips When Choosing A Reliable Substance Abuse Counselor Pasadena Residents Should Know

By Harriett Crosby


Many people term substance abuse counseling as one of the most difficult areas of human/social services. The counseling helps patients change their feeling, attitude and develop more effective and healthier patterns of behavior. A counselor helps people with crisis as well as long term management issues. These issues might range from getting medical assistance to avoiding going back to the abuse. The professional also help addicts find housing, employment, medical help and peer support through groups. While searching for an excellent substance abuse counselor Pasadena residents should consider the tips below.

It is important to consider the education level of the specialist you want to hire. You find that, requirements for a job as a drug abuse counselor may differ. Some specialists have high school diploma and certification whilst others have a bachelor's or master's degree. However, some of the best counselors are those that have triumph over addiction themselves.

You should check for licensing and certification. Those who plan to open a private practice ought to have a license. To attain a license, one requires a master's degree and more than 2000 hours of clinical experience. This should be under the administration of a licensed counselor.

A good therapist is one who has outstanding speaking and listening skills. Such a person can handle a large spectrum of individuals who have different educational levels. The person should also be compassionate in the field. The treatment can be challenging like when a patient refuses to accept treatment given.

Good counselors must be able to retain calm under duress. An optimistic nature also helps given that the road to recovery can be a long and hard one. Substance abuse is something that may take long to overcome and most people may not be positive about overcoming it. This makes the process a lengthy one hence the need for patience.

When looking for a professional to help you overcome the addiction, find one that is located near you. You can opt for one close to your home or office in order to commit to regular sessions. Going for the treatment may have taken time to accept and seek help and if you find a therapist who is far, you might get tired and stop the sessions. Someone close will help you attend all the sessions.

Consult your physician or any health professional for names of good substance abuse counselors. You can talk to a state physiological association personnel or the local university department that deals with psychological issues for help. Your family and friends could also be helpful in such a case. A mental health center close to you can also be useful.

Most insurance companies offer coverage for this type of services. Check with the insurance firm to see if such services are covered. If you are not fully covered though, you may choose to pay for the services out-of-pocket. Some experts work on a sliding-scale fee policy, amount paid depends on one's income. With this in mind when choosing a professional substance abuse counselor Pasadena residents can be sure of receiving the right treatment.




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