Are you a qualified and experienced Addiction Counsellor or De-addiction Specialist in India, with specialized training in supporting individuals and families affected by substance use and behavioural addictions? Are you passionate about facilitating recovery, promoting harm reduction, and skilled in delivering empathetic, evidence-informed counselling via telehealth? Mentalzon.com invites dedicated professionals to join our platform, connecting you with clients across India seeking private online addiction support services.

About Mentalzon.com:

Mentalzon.com is a leading digital platform in India committed to expanding access to essential mental health, well-being, and specialist support services. We recognize the significant challenges posed by addiction and the critical need for skilled, compassionate professionals. Our platform empowers Addiction Counsellors/De-addiction Specialists to build or extend their independent private practice with autonomy, secure technology, and the ability to reach individuals seeking specialized remote care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver Remote Addiction Counselling & Support: Provide individual and/or group (if appropriate for platform and your setup) counselling sessions via secure video conferencing, addressing substance use disorders (alcohol, drugs) and behavioural addictions (e.g., gambling, internet).
• Conduct AOD Assessments (Non-Medical): Perform comprehensive psychosocial assessments focusing on substance use history, patterns of use, triggers, consequences, motivation for change, and recovery capital, suitable for a telehealth context.
• Develop Client-Centred Recovery Plans: Collaboratively develop individualized recovery plans with clients, incorporating harm minimisation, relapse prevention strategies, coping skills development, and achievable goals.
• Utilise Evidence-Informed Approaches: Apply evidence-informed addiction counselling modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches for addiction, psychoeducation, 12-step facilitation principles (where appropriate), and mindfulness-based relapse prevention.
• Family Support and Education: Provide psychoeducation and supportive counselling to family members affected by a loved one's addiction (with appropriate consents and ethical considerations).
• Maintain Professional Records: Ensure accurate, confidential, and timely documentation of client interactions, assessments, and recovery plans, adhering to ethical guidelines, best practices, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act), 2023.
• Uphold Ethical Standards: Practice strictly in accordance with ethical codes relevant to addiction counselling and your primary professional background (e.g., counselling, social work, psychology). Maintain strict professional boundaries.
• Referral and Liaison: Identify client needs that fall outside the scope of remote addiction counselling (e.g., need for medical detox, inpatient rehabilitation, psychiatric assessment for severe co-occurring disorders) and facilitate appropriate referrals with client consent. Liaise with other professionals involved in the client's care when appropriate.
• Promote Harm Reduction & Recovery: Support clients in their chosen recovery pathways, whether focused on harm reduction or abstinence, in a non-judgmental and empowering manner.

Essential Requirements:

• Educational Qualification: Master's degree (MA/MSc/MSW) in Psychology (Clinical/Counselling), Social Work (with mental health/clinical focus), Counselling, or a closely related mental health/human services field from a recognized Indian university.
• Specialized Addiction Training: Verifiable and comprehensive Post Graduate Diploma, Advanced Certificate, or substantial specialized training in Addiction Counselling, De-addiction Management, Substance Abuse Treatment, or a closely related field from a reputable institution or program in India.
• Experience: Proven, direct supervised experience (minimum 2-3 years preferred) in providing counselling and support to individuals with substance use disorders and/or behavioural addictions in recognized settings (e.g., de-addiction centres, hospitals, specialized NGOs, clinics).
• Core Knowledge & Skills:
  • Strong understanding of the biopsychosocial models of addiction, pharmacology of common substances of abuse, stages of change, addiction assessment tools (non-medical), relapse prevention models, and harm reduction strategies.
  • Proficiency in motivational interviewing, crisis intervention (within telehealth limits), and addiction-specific counselling techniques.
  • Knowledge of the Indian AOD service system and referral pathways.
• Ethical Acumen: Deep understanding of ethical considerations specific to addiction counselling, including confidentiality, informed consent, dual relationships, and managing client vulnerability.
• Right to Work: Must possess the legal right to work on a self-employed basis within India.
• Technical Proficiency: Competence in using secure video conferencing platforms and digital tools for client communication and record-keeping.
• Professional Environment: Access to a stable, high-speed internet connection and a private, secure, and professional workspace suitable for confidential remote sessions.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in one or more Indian regional languages is highly important for effective client engagement.

Desirable Requirements:

• Membership or certification with a relevant professional body for addiction specialists, counsellors, or social workers in India or internationally (e.g., ISSUP, DAPAANZ accreditation if held, IAC, CPAI, ISPSW).
• Certification as an addiction counsellor/specialist from a well-recognized national or international training body.
• Experience in delivering addiction counselling or support services specifically via telehealth.
• Experience working with specific populations (e.g., youth, women, individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders/dual diagnosis).
• Training in family-inclusive approaches to addiction treatment.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance covering addiction counselling practice (including telehealth) in India.

Conditions of Engagement (Self-Employed Basis for Private Tele-Counselling Practice):

• Autonomy and Flexibility: Manage your own schedule, client intake, and counselling approach within ethical and professional guidelines.
• Work Remotely (India): Provide services from any suitable private and professional location within India.
• Private Billing: Set your own competitive consultation fees for your specialized addiction counselling services.
  • Clients will typically pay privately. Services in this capacity are generally not covered by government health schemes or widely by private health insurance in India for standalone addiction counsellors (unless the counsellor holds a separate primary qualification and registration that allows for such billing, e.g., as an RCI Clinical Psychologist).
  • (Typical private rates for qualified Addiction Counsellors in India can range, for example, from INR ₹800 to ₹2500+ per session, varying by qualifications, experience, and specialization).
• Platform Support: Gain visibility and connect with individuals and families across India seeking specialized addiction support and counselling through Mentalzon.com.
• Focus on Client Recovery: Our platform facilitates client connections, allowing you to concentrate on your core therapeutic work.

How to Join Mentalzon.com:

1. Register and Create Your Profile: Sign up on Mentalzon.com. Develop a comprehensive professional profile detailing your Master's degree, specialized addiction counselling training/certifications, relevant experience, areas of expertise (e.g., alcohol, specific drugs, behavioural addictions), and your approach to addiction support.
2. Upload Verification Documents: Submit clear copies of your relevant degree certificates, specialized training certifications/diplomas in addiction, proof of significant experience in the AOD field, proof of identity (e.g., Aadhaar Card, PAN Card), and details of professional indemnity insurance (if held).
3. Review and Verification: Our team will carefully review your credentials, qualifications, and specialized experience in addiction counselling to ensure alignment with our platform's standards for professional and ethical practice.
4. Onboarding: Upon successful verification, you will be guided through an onboarding process to set up your practice on the platform, including defining your availability, service offerings, and fee structure.
5. Commence Counselling Sessions: Start receiving client enquiries or bookings. Manage all aspects of client engagement, ensuring ethical practice, particularly concerning client safety, confidentiality, and appropriate referrals when needs exceed the scope of remote, non-medical support.

Why Partner with Mentalzon.com as an Addiction Counsellor / De-addiction Specialist?

• Reach Those in Need: Connect with individuals and families across India who require specialized support for addiction, overcoming geographical barriers.
• Flexible and Empowering Practice: Design a remote practice that aligns with your professional skills, passion, and lifestyle.
• Professional Platform: Be part of a platform that values qualified and ethical practitioners dedicated to client well-being.
• Transparent Collaboration: Free registration to join. Any platform service fees associated with using Mentalzon.com will be clearly communicated.
• Contribute to Recovery Journeys: Play a vital role in supporting individuals towards recovery, harm reduction, and improved quality of life.

If you are a qualified Addiction Counsellor or De-addiction Specialist in India with the requisite education, specialized training, and experience, and you are committed to ethical, compassionate, and effective practice via telehealth, we invite you to join Mentalzon.com.

Note: A relevant Master's degree coupled with specialized training and significant experience in addiction counselling/de-addiction services is essential. This platform is for non-medical counselling and support for individuals who are medically stable. It is not a substitute for medical detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation for acute cases, or emergency medical services. Services offered are typically private pay and are not covered by general government health schemes in India. Practitioners are responsible for ensuring their practice is fully compliant with all relevant Indian laws, professional ethics, data protection regulations (DPDP Act, 2023), and for working within their defined scope of competence, with a strong emphasis on client safety and appropriate referral.