How to Select a Professional Counselor
- Ask if they are certified through Oklahoma Drug alcohol professional counselors association. The certification is called CADC (bachelors level or higher degree) or CAADC (masters level or higher).
- Would have experience with adolescent chemical dependency.
- If they were going to a counseling agency the agency needs to be certified by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health.
- A substance abuse counselor would assess and be able to determine not only if the adolescent had a problem but what level the problem was at i.e. misuse, abuse, dependency and determine the correct level of care based on ASAM (American society of addiction medicine) placement criteria.
- A substance abuse counselor would believe and treat the substance abuse problem as a primary problem, not a secondary problems i.e. result of depression, low self-esteem, etc..
See our web page at www.parentshelpingparents.info for a list of "Local Counselors."
This information provided by:
Specialized Outpatient Services, Inc.
5208 N. Classen Circle OKC, OK 73118
(405) 810-1766 Fax: (405) 810-0331
Web: www.okcsos.com
Parents of teens recorded message (405) 629-6384
