Counseling Awareness Month is celebrated each year in April. Sponsored by the American Counseling Association (ACA), the month-long observance honors counselors of all kinds, including mental health counselors, school and college counselors, career counselors, and of course, substance use disorder (SUD) counselors.
Here at Gaudenzia, the counselors at our SUD treatment programs make an impact in their communities every single day. This lifesaving work takes empathy, dedication, and grit. We’re excited to honor and celebrate some of the incredible counselors we have on our team this month, and today we’re turning the spotlight on Kourtnie Chapman.
A Q&A with Kourtnie Chapman
Kourtnie Chapman is a Counselor III at Gaudenzia’s Coal Township residential SUD treatment program. She’s been with the organization for almost 4 years and previously worked at a community actions company, where she helped individuals find housing.
Kourtnie received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Bloomsburg University. With a lifelong passion for helping people, a career in SUD counseling seemed like a perfect fit, and she hasn’t looked back. Keep reading to learn more about Kourtnie’s role as a counselor at Gaudenzia.
Can You Describe a “Day in the Life” as a Counselor at Gaudenzia?
A day in the life of a counselor at Gaudenzia Coal Township is crazy but fulfilling. The little successes we have with clients who complete treatment and remain in recovery from our program bring me joy every day.
What Unexpected Lessons Have You Learned About Counseling in the SUD Treatment Field?
How severely substances take control of someone’s life and begin destroying everyone and everything around them. Also, how bad the stigma is for individuals with substance use disorder. People forget that they are human too.
What are the Biggest Challenges SUD Counselors Face Today?
The biggest challenge for a counselor is losing confidence in yourself when things don’t pan out. The best way to overcome this is to focus on the positive results, and to use the negative results as building blocks.
How Do You Take Care of Yourself to Prevent Burnout?
I hang out with my family and my fiancé, read books, and relax with my 2 dogs — Oliver and Oscar. I try to appreciate the little things in life too.
What is the Best Part of Your Job?
My coworkers, especially my supervisors. They have created an inclusive atmosphere that makes showing up to work enjoyable. Also, the success stories I have with previous clients telling me they are still in recovery after leaving our program.
What Advice Do You Have for New Counselors Entering the Field?
What I would say to new counselors coming into this field is that not every day is a good day, but the good days outweigh the bad ones.
If you or someone you love needs help with addiction treatment, please contact our Treatment and Referral HelpLine at 833.976.HELP (4357) or email [email protected] today.
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