9. Patient Education
Counselors must continue to provide information to their patients throughout the duration of treatment. Both formal and informal processes are used to keep patients educated and up-to-date about treatments, discoveries, progress, and other relevant factors.
10. Referral
In some cases, the needs cannot be met by the counselor or agency. When such a situation arises, the counselor must provide relevant information and advice for the patient.
The counselor must identify which services the facility cannot meet and determine if supplemental assistance can be offered without leaving or un-enrolling from the facility. The counselor can also take advantage of community resources and support systems.
One important part of the referral is to adhere to applicable laws. Local, state, and federal regulations apply when it comes to patient confidentiality.