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Substance Abuse Counselor Resume Example and Writing Guide for 2025

Use this proven resume template that helped substance abuse counselors secure positions at treatment centers, hospitals, and community health organizations.

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Substance Abuse Counselor

ATS Score:

94

Reading Level:

Professional

Keywords Matched:

18

3 Professional Summary Examples for Substance Abuse Counselors

Senior Level
Licensed Professional
Clinical Supervisor
Program Director

Licensed substance abuse counselor with 8+ years of experience providing comprehensive addiction treatment services to diverse populations. Proven track record of developing individualized treatment plans, facilitating group therapy sessions, and achieving 85% client retention rates. Expert in evidence-based practices including CBT, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care with specialized experience in dual diagnosis treatment.

Why it works:

This summary emphasizes years of experience, quantifiable achievements, and specialized expertise in evidence-based treatment modalities that employers value most.

Mid Level
Certified Counselor
Group Facilitator
Case Manager

Dedicated substance abuse counselor with 4+ years of experience providing individual and group counseling services to clients with addiction disorders. Skilled in assessment, treatment planning, and crisis intervention with demonstrated success in helping clients achieve sobriety goals. Proficient in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and maintaining detailed case documentation.

Why it works:

This summary highlights relevant experience and core counseling skills while demonstrating practical knowledge of essential treatment approaches and administrative responsibilities.

Entry Level
Recent Graduate
Clinical Trainee
Addiction Specialist

Compassionate recent graduate with Master's in Addiction Counseling and completed 600+ hours of supervised clinical experience. Strong foundation in substance abuse assessment, treatment planning, and group facilitation. Committed to helping individuals overcome addiction through evidence-based therapeutic approaches and building strong therapeutic relationships.

Why it works:

This summary emphasizes educational credentials, clinical training hours, and demonstrates genuine passion for addiction counseling despite limited professional experience.

Must Have Skills for Substance Abuse Counselors

Clinical Skills

Individual Counseling

Group Therapy Facilitation

Treatment Planning

Crisis Intervention

Substance Abuse Assessment

Motivational Interviewing

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Administrative Skills

Case Management

Documentation

HIPAA Compliance

Soft Skills

Empathy

Active Listening

Communication

Cultural Competency

Stress Management

Missing these keywords? Your resume might get filtered out:

substance abuse counselor

addiction counseling

individual therapy

group therapy

treatment planning

motivational interviewing

cognitive behavioral therapy

crisis intervention

case management

dual diagnosis

relapse prevention

trauma-informed care

evidence-based practices

clinical documentation

HIPAA compliance

therapeutic relationship

sobriety

recovery

assessment

intervention

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