Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

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What is the purpose of the first session in counseling?

Establish a formal contract with the patient
Determine if the patient is ready for treatment
Assess the patient's treatment expectations
Show that significant change can happen immediately

The correct answer is: Assess the patient's treatment expectations

The first session in counseling primarily aims to assess the patient's treatment expectations. This is crucial as understanding what a patient hopes to achieve through counseling allows the therapist to align their approach accordingly. It sets the foundation for a collaborative relationship, where both the counselor and the patient can work towards shared goals. By exploring the patient's thoughts, feelings, and desired outcomes during this initial meeting, the counselor can gauge the patient’s motivation and tailor the treatment plan to better suit their needs. The other options, while important in different contexts, do not capture the primary purpose of the first session as effectively. Establishing a formal contract is typically addressed later in the process once the therapeutic goals are more clearly defined. Determining if a patient is ready for treatment can occur through ongoing dialogue rather than as a sole focus of the first meeting, and demonstrating immediate change might mislead patients regarding the therapeutic process, which often requires time and effort to achieve significant outcomes.