Addiction Counselor at Tadiso Incorporated – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

About Company:

TADISO, INCORPORATED

HISTORICAL AND GENERAL INFORMATION

58 YEARS (1968 – 2026)

The program was conceived and implemented by the African American citizens of Manchester responding to the urgent need and desire to save, and hopefully, to better their community.

Tadiso started in August 1968 with two physicians, Dr. Charles Burk and Marshall Johnson and two staff members Bobby Wiles and Ronnie Barfield, volunteering their services until funds were secured from the State of Pennsylvania, which regards drug addiction as a mental health problem. The synthetic narcotic methadone did not become an official part of the program until June 1969.

Two hospitals, Allegheny General and St. John’s General, offered 14 beds to the center’s patients. The youngest person was a 14-year old with a three-year habit behind him. [EBONY Magazine, November 1970, Johnson Publication – “The Methadone Method”]

About the Role:

The Addiction Counselor plays a critical role in supporting individuals struggling with substance use disorders by providing comprehensive mental health and behavioral health services. This position focuses on guiding clients through the recovery process using evidence-based therapeutic techniques, including individual and group therapy sessions. The counselor collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement personalized treatment and discharge plans that promote sustained recovery and relapse prevention. Crisis intervention is a key component, requiring the counselor to respond effectively to clients in acute distress. Ultimately, the role aims to empower clients to achieve long-term sobriety and improved mental health through compassionate, client-centered care.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree, or Bachelor's degree with min. 1 yr. exp., in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related mental health field.
• Demonstrated experience in mental health counseling and addiction recovery services.
• Proficiency in crisis intervention and discharge planning.
• Strong knowledge of behavioral health principles and psychotherapy techniques.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in addiction counseling (e.g., Certified Addiction Counselor or equivalent).
• Experience facilitating group therapy sessions specifically for substance use disorders.
• Training in motivational interviewing and other evidence-based addiction treatment modalities.
• Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems used in behavioral health settings.
• Bilingual abilities or experience working with diverse populations.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough assessments to evaluate clients' mental health and addiction-related needs.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans incorporating psychotherapy and motivational interviewing techniques.
• Facilitate group therapy sessions to foster peer support and enhance recovery outcomes.
• Provide crisis intervention and support during acute episodes to ensure client safety and stability.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to coordinate care and create effective discharge plans.
• Maintain detailed documentation of client progress, treatment plans, and interventions.
• Educate clients and their families about addiction, recovery processes, and available resources.
• Stay current with best practices and emerging trends in addiction counseling and behavioral health.

Skills:

The required skills such as mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and behavioral health are applied daily to assess client needs and deliver tailored therapeutic interventions. Motivational interviewing techniques are utilized to enhance client engagement and foster intrinsic motivation for change. Crisis intervention skills are critical for managing emergencies and ensuring client safety during high-risk situations. Group therapy facilitation promotes peer support and shared learning among clients, which is essential for recovery. Preferred skills like certification in addiction counseling and experience with diverse populations further enhance the counselor’s ability to provide culturally competent and effective care.