The Attributes Addiction Therapists Have – If They’re Qualified

As rates of addiction continue to climb, the need for addiction therapists is growing as well. Addiction therapists operate in a unique environment in which they wear multiple hats to support those in recovery. Whether you are drawn to addiction therapy because of an interest in psychology or because of a desire to help those in recovery, there are several traits that can help you be successful in this role.

A good understanding of psychology can help you better understand the relationship between human nature, mental health, and life experiences, but addiction therapy is more than just diagnosing psychological problems. Addiction therapists work with clients throughout the recovery process to overcome life stresses, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and work through challenges that may affect their overall sense of well-being. Because of the vast array of challenges someone in recovery faces throughout their journey, an addiction therapist tends to be more successful when they possess certain attributes.

What Makes an Addiction Therapist Successful

An addict therapist’s role changes as their clients’ needs do. It is not uncommon to find addiction therapists may experience some level of burnout at some point or another during their careers because of the amount of challenging problems they may encounter. This means that in order to be successful in this role, an addiction therapist must really enjoy helping others and be flexible enough to deal with the rollercoaster of experiences they will encounter.

Some skills that will help enable success in this role include:

1. Communication Skills
   
   Above all else, having strong communication skills is one of the most important attributes for an addiction therapist to have. Over time, your communication skills will become more polished and strengthened, but having a strong baseline even before embarking on this path is critical. An addiction therapist should have a strong ability to explain their thoughts and ideas to others while also being able to adapt their language to their clients. Being a strong listener is critical to a meaningful conversation as it is validating for clients and helps you build rapport.
2. Acceptance and Being Non-Judgmental
   
   Especially in the field of addiction recovery, it is important to have an open mind and leave biases at the door. Those in addiction treatment have a wide range of experiences, thoughts, and behaviors that you may not necessarily understand or agree with, but it is not your place to pass judgment. Instead, an addiction therapist should convey warmth and understanding with clients and accept them for who they are in the moment.
3. Empathy
   
   Along the same lines of acceptance, empathy is equally critical in the role of addiction therapy. Those who struggle with addiction often have stressful experiences, difficulty, and past trauma that has led them down this path. Having compassion and empathy is important when treating addiction. It creates a safe place for clients to feel heard and understood. If you have the ability to put yourself in their shoes and imagine how they feel, it can help bridge communication gaps and strengthen your relationship with them.
4. Flexibility
   
   Over the course of recovery, the needs of clients will naturally change. As a therapist, you must be able to adapt and change how you engage depending on your client. Sticking to a “one size fits all” approach to recovery will inevitably lead to failure. Some clients will follow a similar road, but other clients may require a more individualized treatment approach. It is important to remain adaptable in order to ensure your clients’ needs are met throughout their recovery journey.
5. Problem-Solving
   
   While it is not your job to solve your clients’ problems, having the ability to identify thoughts or behaviors that create conflict can help you enable clients to make changes. Some clients may want you to guide them through difficult situations more closely than others, but they will generally experience greater success long-term when they are taught how to solve problems on their own. Having the ability to problem solve can help you guide clients down the right roads when faced with challenges.
6. Self-Awareness
   
   As much as you may try to separate your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs from your clients, you will have subconscious feelings that can drive you down certain paths. Having awareness of what those underlying drivers are can help you actively avoid allowing them to affect your relationship with clients. The ability to separate yourself from your clients’ experiences can help you be more effective in the long run.
7. Patience
   
   The road in recovery is long and difficult. Your clients may encounter setbacks, relapses, or other challenges that derail their progress in recovery. Treatment tends to be more effective the longer a person stays engaged with a program and it is important to be patient with clients as they work through recovery. Everyone progresses at different rates and some people may take more time than others to come to certain realizations.
8. Cultural and Lifestyle Awareness
   
   Everyone’s life experiences provide them with a different perspective on how the world works. As a therapist, you will inevitably work with people of different ages, races, ethnicities, genders, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. The various combinations of these differences will inform how they see the world. While you may not necessarily relate to those experiences, it is important to remain open and accessible to your clients. Even if their experiences are not similar to your own, having the capacity to try to relate and understand is important to their recovery.

References
allpsychologyschools.com/substance-abuse-counseling/
work.chron.com/top-eight-attributes-effective-counselor-22250.html