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I learned two significant things about group counseling in this course. The first thing that I learned is the importance of setting up a treatment plan. The intention is to follow the client from their entrance into the program until the client is discharged. In this process the clients’ problems are identified through various assessments and as each problem is addressed, it is checked off of the list. Once all of the problems are checked off of the list, the client is considered as having completed the plan. This plan is especially important because it evokes thoughtful conversation between the client and the counselor and is the best method to gain information from the client regarding the help they want to receive. The second most significant thing that I learned about group counseling is how to design a group from start to finish. From pre group design, planning the goals of the group and determining the members to setting up the environment and structuring the sessions, each step adds its own important components to designing group counseling.

Purpose of the group counseling varies from group to group. It can be therapeutic, educational, or helping people to make fundamental changes in their way of thinking, feeling and behaving (Corey, 2004, p. 7). Group counseling/therapy has the advantage of being more effective than individual therapy because, it more closely stimulates social interactions and interpersonal communication patterns than does individual counseling (Kottler, 2004, p. 260). The techniques and strategies use in group counseling are to help resolve members’ interpersonal conflict, promote greater self-awareness and insight, and help them work to eliminate their self-defeating

Stabilization and treatment require effective planning. The clients who enter this addictions program are the essence of this program and its success. Therefore, the needs of the clients we serve set precedence and our staff are to address the needs of the clients with regards to confidentiality as it can become an issue if no policy is in place. Client confidentiality is an issue for program staff who receive calls by family members who are seeking information about their loved ones. This becomes a policy and procedure issue at the time the phone is answered. To resolve this issue and to effectively manage client confidentiality a protocol is in place. The program staff will follow the procedural response for each phone call and request. After training and demonstrating how to answer the phone our staff will be properly trained. Each program staff will seek guidance if any breach of confidentiality is made and will log it immediately. This method of response and approach will reduce violation of policies and procedures that reduce legal obligations in the event confidentiality is breached. Proper steps in place to ensure compliance.

When the info-graphics site Visually was hired to put together information related to drug abuse in the state, one could only imagine the startling information that was discovered. To begin with, drug is considered the #1 cause of accidental deaths with 11 people dying everyday from a drug overdose. Each year, an estimated 40,000 emergency room visits are drug related, and 3 of every 10 auto accident fatalities are as a result of drug use. Sadly, only 15% of the state's addicts are said to ever receive treatment. These numbers point out the need for educating residents about the availability of outpatient and inpatient addiction treatment services (drug and alcohol rehab) throughout the state and other parts of the country.

Currently, I am a counselor in training at East Carolina University within the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies. Upon graduation, I will be pursuing licensure as a Clinical Addiction Specialist and a Professional Counselor. I am working at the Navigate Counseling Clinic, under the supervision of Qunesha Hinton, who also serves as my ECU doctoral student supervisor. My faculty supervisor is Shari Sias, Associate Professor, Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling Program Director at East Carolina University (office number: 252-744-6304; email: siass@ecu.edu) and facility supervisor is Dr. Leigh Atherton at Navigate Counseling Clinic (office number: 252-744-6300; email: athertonw@ecu.edu) .

Psychoeducational groups relating to additions or substance abuse are designed to assist participants in their stages of change, learn about recovery, provide information to families to understand behaviors, and to assist participants with resources and skills (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, n.d). Psychoeducational groups will support participants and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. These groups will utilize different methods to replace addictive behavior and practice mindfulness to work on any cognitive impairment that their addiction has produced (U.S Department of Health and Human Service, n.d). In addition, substance abuse or addiction psychoeducational groups provide participants support and peer confrontation. Other members are able to support the group by offering education about what has worked well for them, or what has not work well. The group processes also provides emotional support for members to assist in personal recovery.

Through standardized testing, the Commission is able to set a benchmark for professionals and monitor the abilities of those who treat addictions (NAADAC, 2013). It is extremely important to focus on the individual counselor to determine the current knowledge and competence at the national level. In addition, the process was created to establish, measure, and monitor the requirements for knowledge in the profession while providing assistance to identify quality counselors who have met the national competency standards. As one can see the certification, professional licensing, and credentialing of substance abuse professionals are important to ensure quality service is received by the client, counselor, and service provider

Astramovich, R.L., & Hoskins, W.J. (2013). Evaluating addictions counseling programs: Promoting best practices, accountability, and advocacy. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 34, 114-124.

*** was founded with a mission to be an alternative to incarceration. The organization is a private, free-standing, non-profit agency which is accessible to all, regardless of economic, ethnic or religious backgrounds. Since 1971, ***. has provided a highly successful, comprehensive, continuum of behavioral health services. Our formal treatment services have helped over 20,000 young people and their families. Under the *** umbrella, broad arrays of evidence-based prevention services have also been implemented in the treatment of substance use and co-occurring disorders. With their focus on identifying risk and protective factors, these programs have helped to educate and support

Our residents build lasting relationships here, ones they take away with them when they move on and return to mentor and keep in touch with people who still remain. Camaraderie is a key component. Clients are assigned a big brother, who will show the newcomer the ropes. We encourage peer feedback in our program. Alcoholics and addicts tend to respond in a more positive manner to feedback given by their fellows, rather than management and staff. The disease of Alcoholism and drug addiction does not exist in a vacuum, in turn, we work hand in hand with the client, their families, mental-health professionals, out-patient care, or whatever is best suited for the given situation to make sure the steps being pursued are in sync and towards a united

In June of the current year Dr. Thomas Russell, Executive Director, and Susan Smyth, Accountant, at the Bridgestone Behavioral Health Center were discussing the necessity of gaining a better understanding of how to monitor the Center’s operating and financial performance. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Bridgestone provides prevention, intervention, and treatment services for individuals with substance abuse problems. Bridgestone’s management is concerned about its financial performance after realizing a loss in the prior year although a small profit was projected. Despite management’s concern and attention of Bridgestone’s profitability troubles, the

In June of the current year Dr. Thomas Russell, Executive Director, and Susan Smyth, Accountant, at the Bridgestone Behavioral Health Center were discussing the necessity of gaining a better understanding of how to monitor the Center’s operating and financial performance. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Bridgestone provides prevention, intervention, and treatment services for individuals with substance abuse problems. Bridgestone’s management is concerned about its financial performance after realizing a loss in the prior year although a small profit was projected. Despite management’s concern and attention of Bridgestone’s profitability troubles, the

Group counseling not only allows for members to learn from their therapist, it also allows for them to learn from personal experiences of other members and to gain insights and ideas on the issues they are confronting. Group counseling also helps in improving social skills among the members as they are able to interact freely in and out of the group. This way members can be more confident and open to interactions during the sessions. Group therapy influences growth and change to those involved. Also, it increases their self-awareness and enables them to gain sustenance from each other. Group counseling is also favorable to the therapist as they are able to gain faster and more efficient results for their members by counseling them simultaneously rather than one at a time. Jacobs, Mason, Harvill and Schimmel (2012) describe group counseling

A way to monitor the patient’s use of illegal substances or adherence to pharmacotherapy treatment

Counselling is generally provided either at the individual or group level. Individual counselling mainly focusses on reducing or stopping substance abuse with the help of a recovery plan, skill building and social and family and professional/educational outcomes. Group counselling on the other hand, is used in addition to individual counselling for social reinforcement for recovery.