Assessment Description Professional addiction counseling requires specific competencies and ethical guidelines; however, many clinical mental health counselors may interact with clients who report use

Assessment Description

Professional addiction counseling requires specific competencies and ethical guidelines; however, many clinical mental health counselors may interact with clients who report use of substances and admit to symptoms of substance use disorders. Review NAADAC Code of Ethics, the federal law 42CFR Part 2, NAADAC certification requirements, SAMSHA addiction competencies and your particular state requirements for certified and/or licensed addiction professionals. Referring to this information, discuss any specific requirements for addiction counseling for your state and considerations for working with clients who have symptoms of a substance use disorder, while considering the Professional Identity disposition (GCU Counselor Dispositions). Discuss benefits and risks for clinical mental health counselors providing substance use disorder counseling without addiction counseling certification and/or license.

This discussion question is informed by the following CACREP Standard: 

2.F.1.i. Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.