Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors typically perform the following tasks: • Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse. • Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs. • Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals. • Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients. • Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients. • Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status. • Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support. • Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources. • Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient. • Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes. • Refer patient, client, or family to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy. • Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse, combat social problems, or improve health or counseling services in community. • Develop or advise on social policy or assist in community development.