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Kyleigh
Student
Oak Harbor, Ohio
4
Questions
Asked
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How would a substance abuse counselor approach a patient who's acting aggressively ?
I'm a sophomore in high school working on a career project focused on substance abuse counseling, and I was curious on how to deal with difficult patients who seem like they don't want help.
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1 answer
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Kyleigh!
You're already considering how to care for people, not just the job title, which shows great emotional intelligence. That's a really thoughtful question.
The most essential things a substance misuse counselor can do when working with a patient who is acting violently or resistant are to remain composed, secure, and sympathetic. In this context, aggression usually comes from pain, fear, withdrawal, or a sense of being misinterpreted rather than being personally motivated.
Here’s how a counselor might approach it step by step:
- Ensure safety first. In the event that a patient shows physical aggression, the counselor would follow the organization's safety policy, which calls for expert help if necessary, step aside, and give space. Safety always comes before chatter.
- Stay calm and grounded. Tension can be reduced by using a relaxed tone, open body language, and a non-confrontational posture. For the client, the counselor sets an example of emotional control.
- Use empathy and active listening. Instead of saying, "You need to calm down," counselors usually say something like, "It looks like you're frustrated right now." That change shows awareness rather than command.
- Set clear, compassionate boundaries "I want to help you, but we can only talk if we both feel safe," the counselor may add. This keeps the relationship's structure and respect.
- Focus on trust over time. Since many clients reject assistance at an early stage, the counselor's job is to continue to be present with patience, care, and consistency rather than force change. Real growth becomes possible as a result of that trust.
Managing challenging emotions with expertise and sensitivity is the foundation of any effective counseling. This line of work requires effective communication, mental strength, and a strong faith in people's ability to heal.
You're already a great counselor because you're considering how you might help others, even when it's difficult. Keep going down this path, Kyleigh.
Best wishes!
You're already considering how to care for people, not just the job title, which shows great emotional intelligence. That's a really thoughtful question.
The most essential things a substance misuse counselor can do when working with a patient who is acting violently or resistant are to remain composed, secure, and sympathetic. In this context, aggression usually comes from pain, fear, withdrawal, or a sense of being misinterpreted rather than being personally motivated.
Here’s how a counselor might approach it step by step:
- Ensure safety first. In the event that a patient shows physical aggression, the counselor would follow the organization's safety policy, which calls for expert help if necessary, step aside, and give space. Safety always comes before chatter.
- Stay calm and grounded. Tension can be reduced by using a relaxed tone, open body language, and a non-confrontational posture. For the client, the counselor sets an example of emotional control.
- Use empathy and active listening. Instead of saying, "You need to calm down," counselors usually say something like, "It looks like you're frustrated right now." That change shows awareness rather than command.
- Set clear, compassionate boundaries "I want to help you, but we can only talk if we both feel safe," the counselor may add. This keeps the relationship's structure and respect.
- Focus on trust over time. Since many clients reject assistance at an early stage, the counselor's job is to continue to be present with patience, care, and consistency rather than force change. Real growth becomes possible as a result of that trust.
Managing challenging emotions with expertise and sensitivity is the foundation of any effective counseling. This line of work requires effective communication, mental strength, and a strong faith in people's ability to heal.
You're already a great counselor because you're considering how you might help others, even when it's difficult. Keep going down this path, Kyleigh.
Best wishes!