Starting and Running Individual and Group Sessions | Addiction Counselor Exam Review Podcast
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The content segments provide a comprehensive overview of starting and facilitating individual and group counseling sessions. The speaker emphasizes the importance of tailoring the approach to the client's needs, considering factors such as age, cognitive functioning, and presenting issues. In the first session, building rapport and empowering the client are crucial, allowing them to have a say in their treatment. The speaker highlights the client's expertise in themselves, while the counselor brings expertise in book learning.
The speaker discusses two main approaches to counseling: humanistic and cognitive-behavioral. The humanistic approach focuses on empowering the client and using Socratic questioning to help them solve their own problems. The cognitive-behavioral approach helps clients understand the connections between past events, thoughts, behaviors, and their current well-being. Both approaches have their merits, and counselors should be flexible in adapting their techniques.
The content also explores the concept of unstructured process groups, where clients determine the discussion topics and share their experiences and interactions. Process groups complement psychoeducational groups by allowing clients to apply knowledge and skills in a personalized way. The speaker suggests theming process groups around broad topics and using books as a structure for discussion.
In psychoeducation groups, different learning styles should be considered, and the content should be made engaging and relevant. The speaker recommends providing handouts, using games or skits, and creating an interactive and supportive environment.
The speaker discusses structured and random approaches to conducting psychoeducational groups, providing guidelines for each. Progress notes for individual sessions and group documentation are also addressed.
Overall, the content emphasizes the importance of communication, adaptability, and self-care in counseling, while also mentioning continuing education opportunities for professionals in the field.
The content segments provide a comprehensive overview of starting and facilitating individual and gr