Counselor's Attitudes Towards Working with Substance Use Disorders

The authors set out to determine whether counselors' attitudes toward working with substance use disorders (SUD) clients was significantly different than working with clients with other mental health disorders. Through an online survey of Canadian counselors, the authors examined a variety of variables that might impact attitudes and resulting stigma of working with such clients and examined that factors that generally predicted more positive counselor attitudes towards working with SUD clients. Limitations of the study and implications for future practice, advocacy, education, training, and research are also discussed.

This product is not included in the APA Unlimited CE program.

New York state psychologists: This program is not currently in compliance with the unique requirements imposed by the New York State Board of Education for New York licensed psychologists CE.

• Discuss the factors that might impact counselors' attitudes toward working with SUD clients.
• Describe the research conducted to measure counselors' attitudes toward with SUD clients in comparison to other mental health disorders.
• Apply findings toward a greater understanding of variables that increase positive attitudes toward working with SUD clients.
• Discuss implications for practice, advocacy, education/training, and research.

• Zachary A. D. Cornfield, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
• Anita M. Hubley, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

This Continuing Education program is in partnership with the Div. 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology).