12 Core Functions of a
Professional Helper
SWU-292
Mesa Community College
Paul Rock Krech
1. Screening
The process by which the client is determined appropriate
and eligible for admission to a particular program.
Some global criteria of SCREENING are:
•Biopsychosocial (and often spiritual) evaluation
•Physiological signs and symptoms (SXS)of alcohol/drug use, abuse or
dependency (Dependence vs.. Abuse as per DSM-IV)
•Determination of the Client’s appropriateness for admission and/or
referral
2. Intake
• The administrative and
initial assessment
procedures for
admission to a
program. Generally
and extension of the
screening process,
when the decision to
admit is formally
made and documented.
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Some global criteria of Intake
are:
Completing required documents for
admission to the program.
Completing required documents for
program eligibility and
appropriateness
Obtain appropriately signed
consent forms when soliciting
information from or providing
information to outside sources to
protect client confidentiality and
rights.
3. Orientation
• The orientation may be
provided before, during
and/or after the client’s
screening and intake. It
can be conducted in and
individual, group or
family context. Portions
of orientation may include
other personnel for certain
specific aspects of the
treatment, such as a
psychiatrist for
medication.
• Some global criteria of the
orientation process are:
• Providing an overview to the
client by describing program
goals and objectives for client
care.
• Providing and overview to the
client by describing program
rules, client obligations and
rights.
• Provide an overview to the
client on program operations.
4. Assessment
• The procedure by which
the helper/program
identifies individuals’
strengths, needs,
opportunities for
construction of the
treatment plan. Although
assessment is a continuing
process, it is generally
emphasized early in
treatment. The assessment
evaluates major life areas.
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Some global criteria of assessment
are the gathering of:
Relevant history, vocational
development, social adaptation, etc.
Identify methods and procedures for
obtaining corroborative information
from significant secondary sources;
Identify and utilize appropriate
assessment tools;
Explain rationale for use of
assessment techniques to facilitate
understanding;
Develop a diagnostic evaluation to
facilitate treatment planning.
5. Treatment Planning
The process by which the professional helper and
client identify and rank problems needing
resolution, establish agreed upon immediate and
long-term goals, and decide upon a treatment
process and the resources to be utilized.
6. Counseling
The utilization of special skills to assist
individuals, families, couples or groups in
achieving objectives through the exploration of a
problem and its ramifications; examining the
attitudes and feelings; consideration of alternative
solutions, and decision making.
7. Case Management
The coordination of a multiple services plan, i.e.
activities which bring services, agencies,
resources, or people together within a planned
framework of action toward the achievement of
established goals. It may involve liaison activities
and collateral contacts.
8. Crisis Intervention
Those services which respond to a client’s,
family’s or other system’s needs during acute
emotional and/or physical stress: i.e. emergency,
family overload, overdose etc.
9. Client Education
Provision of information to individuals and groups
concerning alternative methods for viewing
problems and solutions, available services and
resources, and other dynamics related to problem
solving.
10. Referral
Identifying the needs of a client that cannot be met
by the professional helper or the agency and
assisting the client to utilize and support systems
and community resources availability. This
requires the helper to be proficient in identifying
and connecting with various community resources.
11. Reports and Record Keeping
Charting the results of the assessment and
treatment plan, writing progress notes,
reports, discharge summaries, and other
client related data.
12. Consultation
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Meetings for discussion,
decision-making and planning.
Relating with in-house staff or
outside professionals to assure
comprehensiveness and quality
care for the client.
This may be done in tandem with
other helping professionals,
supervisors, counselors,
psychologists, physicians,
probation officers providing
services connected to the client’s
care.
• Some global criteria for
consultation may include:
• Recognition of issues beyond
the scope of the helper’s
knowledge base and level of
training.
• Consultation with appropriate
resources to ensure the
provision of effective treatment
services.