What should a counselor prioritize when helping Kia with her substance use disorder?

When working with Kia on her substance use disorder, prioritizing the exploration of her feelings and beliefs about her situation is essential. This approach allows Kia to reflect on her experiences and motivations in a supportive environment, which can lead to greater self-awareness and insight. Understanding her emotions and beliefs is fundamental in helping her identify the root causes of her substance use, developing coping strategies, and fostering a sense of agency over her recovery process.

Addressing deeper emotional and psychological factors is crucial in substance use treatment. By creating a safe space for Kia to express and work through her feelings, the counselor can facilitate a therapeutic relationship that promotes healing and long-term change. This process aligns with best practices in counseling, which emphasize the importance of client-centered approaches and emotional exploration as critical to effective treatment.

The other choices, while they may have some merit, do not prioritize Kia's immediate emotional and psychological needs in a way that facilitates her recovery. Encouraging her to return home immediately might place her back in an environment that could be triggering without addressing the underlying issues. Informing her parents of her struggles could breach confidentiality and potentially damage trust in the counselor-client relationship. Pushing her to reject an arranged marriage may lead to resistance and alienation rather than encouraging constructive dialogue and personal