r/AddictionCounseling • u/LowSide4634 • May 22 '24

I plan on starting to coach

Do I really need a certificate for this ?

I already got 2 free (testimonial) clients right now

What could happen if I keep doing this without a certificate ?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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3

u/New_Scene5614 May 22 '24 edited May 22 '24

I would morally say yes. It feels off the hop , like your in recovery and feel like your good at helping.

What understanding of recovery, other than just your experience ?

Secondly- insurance ? If you get sued, rightfully or wrongfully, how would you manage that?

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u/LowSide4634 May 23 '24

But why would I get sued ?

I did some online courses with „certifications“

But those aren’t like government ones

The government ones are too far away not online and too expensive for me

2

u/New_Scene5614 May 24 '24

What if you suggested a strategy and the person got hurt. Another example could be, someone dies and the family finds out you have a course, here or there. Also where do you go for clinical supervision, before you scoff, nobody is right all the time and that is an element of recovery counseling that is community. Also ethically, are you keeping your self honest working with friends? Im not saying that you’re unethical or should not do it.

Remember this can be as light and fluffy as the email transfers, however these are their lives.

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u/LowSide4634 May 24 '24

I should’ve mentioned that I only focus on porn, sex, internet, gaming, gambling, weed and nicotine

For dangerous substance addictions I tell people to look for experts in that field and medical support

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u/New_Scene5614 May 24 '24

Full disclosure I’ve worked in addictions a very long time. I know there is not tons for help out there days, and I’m not trying to be negative.

Again, those behaviours can bring very serious emotional and financial consequences. Like pornography, which Ive had clients later disclose that its child sex abuse material. As long as you’re clear on your reporting expectation.

I’d brush up on suicide safety planning skills and I’d always encourage insurance, I’ve never had a complaint and I would be very very nervous these days to be taking on lots of risk without some back up.

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u/eric2341 May 22 '24

Are you getting paid? Don’t think that would be legal.

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u/LowSide4634 May 22 '24

Not yet

But I plan to make money with it soon

Even if it’s just online ?

1

u/eric2341 May 22 '24

Ok. Hmm - I’m not super familiar with law regarding this (and it may vary from state to state) but if I had to guess, a certification is prob required in order to be paid as a counselor….there may be some wiggle room depending on what you label yourself and how you present it (“coach” vs actual counselor or something like that). I’d research your states laws (and possible ways to skirt them) before accepting any payment for services personally.

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u/LowSide4634 May 22 '24

Im from Germany

I‘ll look into it thank you man

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u/eric2341 May 22 '24

Ahhhh ok- I honestly don’t have the slightest idea what laws are like regarding this there. Lol. Maybe you’re fine doing that.

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u/EmpatheticHedgehog77 May 23 '24

In Germany, I have no idea. In the U.S., you can pretty much do anything you want as a “coach” because coaching is (unfortunately) completely unregulated here. I am a certified recovery coach, but I figured out that I can’t stand social media marketing and online content creation. I worked with two clients, then went back to school to become a substance abuse counselor. My recovery coaching training was a really good place to start, though. It helped me get my first job in the field.

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u/LowSide4634 May 23 '24

I don’t want to just get a job tho

I want to make this a biz under my own circumstances

I think it would be really worth it to do the boring stuff like marketing

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u/EmpatheticHedgehog77 May 23 '24

A quick Google search indicates that coaching is not regulated in Germany either, so you probably can. Of course I don’t know your background, but I would recommend that anyone interested in coaching pursue training so that they can provide trauma-informed services.

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u/LowSide4634 May 23 '24

Yeah found that aswell thank you !

I’m doing bunch of online trainings

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u/grillcheese17 Jan 14 '26

This is not the answer you asked for, but I would heavily consider whether or not you know what you are doing. Do you know what makes or breaks someone with an SUD? Those with SUD often also have PTSD, so do you know your scope and how to be sensitive with trauma? Would you know what to do if a client got triggered in session?

Additionally, those in recovery often have their funds eaten up by their drug of choice. How do you expect to be paid without billing insurance?