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Counselor, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder
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| Job Category |  | Community & Social Services |
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| Job Description | | Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors help people who have problems with alcohol, drugs, gambling, and eating disorders. They counsel individuals who are addicted to drugs to help them identify behaviors and problems related to their addiction. They hold counseling sessions for one person, for families, or for groups of people to assist them in dealing with problems. |
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| Working Conditions | | Substance abuse counselors usually work a standard 40-hour week. Self-employed counselors and those working in mental health and community agencies, often work evenings to counsel clients who work during the day.
Counselors must possess high physical and emotional energy to handle the array of problems they address. Dealing daily with these problems can cause stress. Because privacy is essential for confidential and frank discussions with clients, counselors usually have private offices. |
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| Salary Range | | Median annual earnings of rehabilitation counselors in May 2006 were $34,040. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,330 and $42,650. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,340.
Substance abuse, mental health, and rehabilitation counselors, working for the Federal government generally earn the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Residential care facilities often pay the lowest wages. Self-employed counselors who have well-established practices, as well as counselors employed in group practices, usually have the highest earnings. |
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