Areas of Competence for Addiction Counsellors

The set of competencies outlined in the profile below should be regarded as an integrated set of abilities, each competency informing and qualifying the others; competencies are not intended to be used in isolation. The Competency Profile for Entry to Practice for the Profession of Addictions Counselling was developed by the Addictions Counselling Subcommittee of the Federation of Associations of Counselling Therapists. FACT Alberta relied on data compiled by the Canadian Centre of Substance Use and Addiction to establish this profile.

Area 1. Knowledge and Understanding

1.1 Understanding Physiology and Process of Addiction
1.2 Understanding Concurrent Disorders
1.3 Understanding Medications
1.4 Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation

Area 2. Counselling Therapy

2.1 Screening and Assessment
2.2 Treatment Planning
2.3 Crisis Intervention
2.4 Counselling
2.5 Trauma Specific Care
2.6 Case Management
2.7 Record Keeping and Documentation
2.8 Client Referral
2.9 Group Facilitation
2.10 Family and Social Support
2.11 Closure

Area 3. Community Engagement

3.1 Outreach
3.2 Community Development
3.3 Prevention and Health Promotion

Area 4. Professionalism

4.1 Ethical Conduct
4.2 Client Centered Change
4.3 Client Service Orientation
4.4 Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness
4.5 Effective Communication
4.6 Adaptability and Flexibility
4.7 Analytical Thinking and Decision Making

Area 5. Team Collaboration

5.1 Planning and Organizing
5.2 Collaborating and Network Building
5.3 Interpersonal Rapport
5.4 Team Work and Cooperation
5.5 Developing Others
5.6 Leadership

Area 6. Reflective Practice

6.1 Self-Care
6.2 Self-Management
6.3 Self-Motivation
6.4 Continuous Learning