Signs Your Counselor is not Right for Your Addiction during Residential Treatment

When an addict seeks counseling, it can be hard to tell when the counselor is or is not right for them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors are meant to advise those who suffer from addiction to treat and modify problem behaviors and support the addict in their recovery.

However, an unfit counselor may have the opposite and more harmful effect on the treatment. It is important for the patient to know the signs of a counselor who is not right for their addiction during residential treatment.

Annoyance & Distraction

It is important for the counselor and their client to feel comfortable around one another, but if the counselor annoys or distracts the patient, the treatment will not be as effective because the focus will not be on the addiction.

It can be anything from the way they dress to an attraction for the counselor or the patient and if something like this occurs, it is important to discuss it with them so the treatment can continue as soon as possible.

If a new counselor is needed, the addict should be sure they get one or if the distraction can be changed (such as clothing or hair color), then he or she should ask the counselor to change it so they can be comfortable with one another again.

Be sure to call 800-430-1407Who Answers? to find a treatment program that meets your needs.

Lack of Eye Contact

You should find a new counselor if your current one annoys or distracts you.

A good counselor will understand the importance of eye contact with their patient to demonstrate that they are listening to their clients. If the counselor does not at least look over to their patient as they talk, it may be a sign of boredom or a lack of attention. It may be a good idea to search for someone who can encourage conversation and listen attentively so that the addict will know that they are cared for.

Inappropriate Jokes & Laughter

Counselors need to contain a modicum of professionalism, and if they make jokes or laughs when the patient is not trying to be funny, it can make the shame the most likely already feel stronger and cause them to become uncomfortable.

It is important for the patient to express their feelings when the counselor laughs or jokes at inappropriate moments and if the counselor apologizes for their mistake, it is a good idea to let it go. It can take a while for the counselor and patient to adjust to one another and if a small mistake is made but apologized for, it is a good sign that the counselor is relaxing, but if it continues as though he or she does not care, it may be time to find a new counselor.

No Set Goals?

The only way counseling helps an addiction is when the counselor helps their patient to create an ultimate goal with smaller achievements to help them along the way. Most counselors will set these during the first couple of sessions with their patient so that the process of working toward their goals can begin.

If he or she has not set up goals for the journey toward recovery, he or she may not be very invested in the process and it may be time to seek out a more productive counselor.

Overview of the Types of Inpatient Counseling

Any number of signs can point toward a good counselor, but not many patients know the signs of an unfit counselor, which hurts their treatment in the end. An unfit counselor is likely to be distracting, annoying, will avoid eye contact, laugh or joke at inappropriate times, and not set goals to help their addict achieve sobriety.

The counselor an addict has during their residential treatment will likely be the same one he or she sees for their outpatient counseling as well and according to the NCBI, most outpatient programs will require counseling once or twice a week for a period of 3-6 months.

Finding a counselor who fits with their client is an essential part of treatment and if for any reason the addict feels uncomfortable, it is an excellent time to ask for a counselor who is better suited to the task.

If you or someone you love is in need of addiction counseling, please call 800-430-1407Who Answers? to speak with someone who can help find a counselor who is right for you.

If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and needs help seeking treatment, please call 800-430-1407Who Answers? to speak with a caring professional who can assist you.