21-1011.00 · Learning planner
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors: a task-based learning plan
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Explore the complete task inventory first →
Understand the profile before choosing priorities
The table shows the ten highest importance ratings among 30 skills with usable ratings. Skills tied on importance can share a rank. Importance (1–5) and level (0–7) describe different dimensions. A level of 4 is not 4/7 of a course, and neither scale is your personal score. Source dates refer to the underlying rating, not the database release date.
| Skill | Importance / 5 | Level / 7 | Rating date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.25 | 5.00 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Active Listening | 4.25 | 4.12 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Speaking | 4.12 | 4.12 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.25 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.00 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Monitoring | 4.00 | 3.88 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 4.12 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Active Learning | 3.88 | 4.00 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Coordination | 3.88 | 4.00 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
| Persuasion | 3.88 | 4.00 | 08/2026 · Analyst |
Anchor the plan in an actual task
Choose one reported task you want to understand better. Then choose one to three skills and describe an appropriate learning activity, evidence you will review and a date. For practical work requiring authorization, choose relevant coursework, observation or supervised training.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Be aware of how a coworker's promotion will affect a work group
Level 6: Counsel patients who are depressed during a crisis period
What perspective or concern might another person bring to this task?
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Answer inquiries regarding credit references
Level 6: Serve as a judge in a complex legal disagreement
What would you ask the other person to clarify, and how would you confirm you understood?
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history
Level 6: Argue a legal case before the Supreme Court
How would you explain the task, audience needs and next step in a short conversation?
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies
Level 6: Read a scientific journal article describing surgical procedures
Which instruction, constraint or exception in a document would you need to explain accurately?
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Write an email to staff outlining new directives
Level 2: Write down a guest's order at a restaurant
What document would another person need, and how would you check that they could act on it?
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Monitor a meeting and revise the agenda to ensure important topics are discussed
Level 2: Proofread and correct a letter
What result or exception would you inspect during the task, and when would you revisit it?
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses
Level 6: Write legal brief challenging a federal law
What assumption could change your conclusion, and what evidence would you check first?
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements
Level 2: Think about the implications of a news article for job opportunities
What new information would change your approach, and how would you record the change?
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Work with others to put a new roof on a house
Level 2: Schedule appointments for a medical clinic
Who would need what information, and at which handoff would timing matter?
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Level 4: Convince a supervisor to purchase new office equipment
Level 2: Solicit donations for a charity
What evidence would help an audience evaluate your proposal without hiding its tradeoffs?
Review the result
Your plan should explain why the selected skills matter for your chosen task, what you will do next and what evidence you will examine. Revisit the plan after that activity. Completing a worksheet or matching an occupation’s ratings does not establish professional competence.
Keep your worksheet
Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.
Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.