Addiction Counselor USA

Counseling is the utilization of special skills to assist individuals, families, or groups in achieving objectives through exploration of a problem and its ramifications; examination of attitudes and feelings; consideration of alternative solutions; and decision-making. 

Criteria include selecting the counseling theory (ies) that apply; apply techniques to assist the client, group, and/or family in exploring problems and ramifications; apply techniques to assist the client, group, and/or family in examining the client's behavior, attitudes, and/or feelings if appropriate in the treatment setting; individualize counseling in accordance with cultural, gender, and lifestyle differences; interact with the client in an appropriate therapeutic manner; elicit solutions and decisions from the client; and implement the treatment plan.