How to Answer: If you had a client who consistently lied to you regarding his continued substance abuse, how would you handle that situation?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Addiction Counselor job interview.
12. If you had a client who consistently lied to you regarding his continued substance abuse, how would you handle that situation?
How to Answer
Many times clients who are attending counseling due to addiction deny the use of substances or relapses they may have experienced. There are a number of reasons why counselors feel that clients do this. Some reasons are that clients don't want to be embarrassed and don't want their counselors to be upset because of their non-compliance. Others still, begin to attend counseling but are not quite ready to take the necessary measures to address their addictions so that they can begin full recovery from them. Either way, dishonesty makes creating and implementing a plan of care very difficult. Tell the interviewer how you would handle a situation like this.
Written by Heather Douglass on December 22nd, 2018
Entry Level
"I like to address situations as they arise and not leave them there to fester and create greater issues later down the road. If I know that a client is not being forthcoming with me, I like to politely address what I feel like I am observing and ask for the client's response. I also like to make it clear that we have neutral ground in my office, but that transparency and honesty are rules that have to be followed if counseling is going to be effective. Although there are times that clients do not want to reveal certain things about their lives or addictions, with time and consistency, the ones who really want help become willing to open up and address their issues so that we can establish a plan of care that will work for them."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Unfortunately, I have had this happen more than once. There are some clients who simply don't want to be in counseling but have felt compelled to attend, whether judicially or with family who have ultimatums about receiving addiction care. I have found that being direct, yet professionally polite, is always the best way to address this issue. Simply going along with a client's dishonesty only adds to the problem. However, being hostile about their behavior is not helpful, either. I like to use my first few encounters with my clients to establish some 'ground rules', so to speak. I always tell them that I will be honest with them and that I can help them when they are ready to be honest with themselves and with me regarding whatever their addiction issue is."
Written by Heather Douglass on December 22nd, 2018
Experienced
"I believe my biggest strengths are in my ability to draw thoughts and feelings out of a patient without them feeling as though I am prying. This skill has helped me to be very successful in bringing many clients to a life absent of substances."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
Anonymous Answer
Kristine's Feedback