Opioid Use Disorder: Maintaining Boundaries with Harold Daniels

Scenario

Harold Daniels has been working with a peer counselor while in recovery for his opioid addiction. He is seeking support for overcoming a variety of barriers that he feels will jeopardize his recovery. Some of his requests are within the scope for a peer counselor, while other requests may be inappropriate. In this meeting, work with Harold to set appropriate boundaries within your dynamic, while navigating his barriers in a way that aligns with his recovery goals.

It often takes time for clients with Opioid Use Disorders to make a change to stop using drugs and they often experience barriers while maintaining recovery. Peer counselors are in a unique position to support clients in recovery, as they can relate to the client's perspective and build close bonds. However, it is important to maintain proper boundaries when handling a client's recovery support requests. It can be difficult to assess a peer counselor's scope and the limits of the support they can provide. Understanding how to maintain professionalism while preserving rapport is key to an effective counselor-client relationship.

Teaching Objectives:

• Exploring a Client’s Needs to Assess Barriers
• Maintaining Effective Professional Boundaries
• Providing Appropriate Support for a Client

Included in Training:

• A Training Guide with information on preserving rapport with a client in recovery, while maintaining healthy boundaries.
• A Simulated Conversation with a varied character to prepare learners for managing different types of client support requests, specifically ones that potentially cross into inappropriate boundaries.
• Comprehensive Feedback during and after each play to help guide skill development.

This training was developed in collaboration with The New Jersey Prevention Network.To read more about NJPN's peer support program visit: NJPN Peer Recovery Support

This training can be purchased as a part of the Opioid Use Disorder Training Suite. Please visit Opioid Use Disorder Suite for more information.