TRUST Program

Defining the Role of the Counselor: Counseling Techniques and Strategies

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Division of Student/Career Services

Department of Intervention Programs

TRUST Program

Role of the Counselor

• Services available for the student affected by a family member’s chemical dependence:– Individual counseling

– Group counseling• TRUST Support Group Curriculum

• Training in February 2005

TRUST Program

Role of the Counselor

• Accept referrals from:– Teachers– Administrators– Parents– Students

• Provide student with intervention services.

• Provide information of community resources.

TRUST Program

Role of the Counselor• Use Counseling Services Record Sheet

[FM-4121 Rev. (04-98)] to document intervention services.

TRUST Program

Role of the Counselor

• Document the amount of referrals received and the type of intervention provided.

• Codes to be used:• GC: Group Counseling• IC: Individual Counseling• AC: Agency Consultation (information of community resources)

– Specify and identify all TRUST referrals.– Provide Administrator with TRUST data.

TRUST Program

Counseling Strategies and Techniques

• Chemical Dependence Individual Counseling– What to say to a student who is being affected by someone

else’s alcohol/ substance/ chemical dependence:– The 7 “C”s

• You did not cause it• You can not cure it• You can not control it• You can take care of yourself• You can communicate your feelings• You can make your own choices• You can celebrate being you

TRUST Program

Counseling Strategies and Techniques

The 7 “C”s

1. You did not CAUSE it• The drug use is not your fault

• Children blame themselves for a parent’s drug use, sometimes because the addicted family member places blame on them.

• The guilt that is placed on the child has a tremendous impact on his/her personality development.

TRUST Program

Counseling Strategies and Techniques

The 7 “C”s

2. You can not CURE it• Chemical Dependency is an illness. • The child feels unloved, angry, rejected and

thinks the dependent person chooses this lifestyle.

• The child can begin to love the family member again if he/she can separate the illness from the person.

TRUST Program

Counseling Strategies and Techniques

The 7 “C”s

3. You can not CONTROL it• The chemically dependent family member is

the one who can decide to stop drinking or using drugs.

• Is up to him/her to change. • Mental health professionals can help the

chemically dependent individual to begin the process of recovery.

TRUST Program

Counseling Strategies and Techniques

The 7 “C”s

4. You can take CARE of yourself• You are not alone• Help the child prepare a Safety Plan of what

he/she can do when the family member becomes intoxicated/inebriated.

TRUST Program

Counseling Strategies and Techniques

The 7 “C”s

5. You can COMMUNICATE your feelings• You can talk about the problem• Find someone you trust who will talk to you.

It can be a counselor, teacher, a friend’s parent, a big brother or sister.

• Help the child identify ‘safe people’ he/she can talk to.

TRUST Program

Counseling Strategies and Techniques

The 7 “C”s

6. You can make healthy CHOICES• Empower the child to make positive choices

in his/her everyday life which will lead to a drug-free lifestyle.

• Empower them to ‘break the cycle’.

TRUST Program

Counseling Strategies and Techniques

The 7 “C”s

7. You can CELEBRATE being you• Encourage the child to identify his/her

strengths, abilities, skills, etc.• Assist the child in the process of increasing

self-esteem and feelings of worth.• Help the child to ‘feel good’ about him/her

self.

TRUST Program

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use

• Physical Changes– Activity level– Change in sleeping pattern– Weight increase/decrease – Appearance– Lack of concentration– Nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills– Red or watery eyes

TRUST Program

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use

• Social and Psychological Changes– Mood changes– Withdrawal– Change in peer group and social activities– Increase irritability, anger– Negative attitude toward authority figures– Decrease school performance, attendance– Decrease in motivation

TRUST Program

Risk Factors of Substance-Exposed Children

• Risk factors include those individual characteristics or social environments associated with an increased likelihood of substance use.

TRUST Program

Risk Factors of Substance-Exposed Children

• Learning– Poor visual/auditory perception– Difficulty with fine and gross motor skills– Immature grasping /manipulation skills– Highly distractible– Low level of persistence– High level of frustration– Inability to stay on task– Decreased interactive play– Inability to follow directions

TRUST Program

Risk Factors of Substance-Exposed Children

• Behavioral– Exhibits extreme behaviors or reactions– Easily over stimulated– Low tolerance for change– Difficulty with peer relationships– Poor inner self-control– Decreasing compliance with commands or

instructions– Aggressiveness– Inability to express needs, fears, etc.

TRUST Program

Protective Factors of Substance-Exposed Children

• Protective factors are related to decreased likelihood of substance use or of nonuse.

TRUST Program

Protective Factors of Substance-Exposed Children

• Protective Factors– Significant relationship with an adult– Socially adept or competent (developmental

counseling)– Pro-social interaction with school peers– Healthy expectations– Parental involvement– Negative attitude toward drugs– Perception of drugs as being harmful

TRUST Program

Community Resources

• Division of Student/Career Services http://studentcareerservices.dadeschools.net/index.htm

• Switchboard of Miami Help Pages

www.irissoft.com/switchboardmm/

• Al-Anon / Al-Ateen

• Narcotics Anonymous

• Alcoholic Anonymous

TRUST Program

For more information contact:The Division of Student/Career Services

Department of Intervention ProgramsSafe and Drug Free Schools

Ms. Paula Swope, Staff SpecialistDr. Monique Jiménez, Curriculum Support Specialist

Phone: (305) 995-7310 Fax: (305) 995-2230

mjimenez@sbab.dade.k12.fl.uspswope@dadeschools.net