title: The Influence of Rural and Urban Substance Abuse Treatment Counselor Characteristics on Client Outcomes.
abstract: Focus group data was collected from 28 substance abuse treatment counselors employed in rural and urban areas to examine their perceptions of factors influencing treatment outcomes. The influence of the counselor characteristics (i.e., education, experience, and recovery status) on client outcomes and geographic differences are explored. Focus group data was analyzed by three raters using line-by-line coding, focused coding, and memoing. This analytic approach revealed geographic differences in the counselors' perceptions of the effect of counselor education, experience, and recovery status on client outcomes. Recommendations for treatment planning and future research are provided.
authors.affiliation: Morehead State University, Department of Sociology, Social Work, & Criminology, 347 Rader Hall, Morehead, KY 40351, e.biebel@moreheadstate.edu , ;
authors.forename: Carrie B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Oser
authors.forename: Elizabeth P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Biebel
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Pullen
authors.forename: Kathi L H
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Harp