Certificate in Addiction and Drug Counseling Program

Prerequisites: None
This course will focus on theoretical approaches to understanding the role of the family in treating substance abuse, as well as the impact of substance use disorders on the family unit and significant others. Students will learn evidence-based theoretical approaches to addiction-focused counseling, and how those approaches directly apply to substance use and abuse as well as the impact of the family unit through a biopsychosocial framework. Students will review current research focused on motivational methods of working with families of substance abuse clients and related issues of crisis intervention, relapse prevention, and ethical concerns. Students will learn how to administer intake assessments and screening tools to determine client readiness, designated improvement areas, appropriate theoretical approach, and overall course of treatment as well as documenting intake data. Students will learn to effectively provide psychoeducation to family members on how to sustain healthy relationships, and how family members can engage in the recovery process.

Prerequisites: None
This course will focus on the examination of the biopsychosocial dimensions of contemporary drug use as it relates to physiological responses based on effects of drug use. Relevant issues in modern society will be explored in relation to the level of care available, recovery, relapse prevention, and the dimensions of addiction recovery. Students will also learn ethical and legal considerations in addictions counseling and substance use treatment. Through a multicultural and social justice lens, students will enhance their understanding of diagnoses, community resources, and interventions. Students will expand upon their understanding of diagnostic summaries and case consultation in terms of assessment interpretation and the presentation of cases to a treatment team. Students will expand upon their understanding of psychopharmacology as well as the major physical impacts of substance use and abuse on the brain and body systems. Students will also build upon their professional as well as personal development as aspiring addiction counselors.

This course will focus on the treatment models for co-occurring substance abuse and psychiatric disorders through a multicultural and social justice lens to identify client needs (e.g. trauma, suicidal ideation, and self-harm). Students will effectively utilize and document data derived from a biopsychosocial assessment to assess client readiness, effective treatment approaches, treatment goals, and client needs. Students will explore the impact of familial dynamics within the scope of addiction focused counseling and substance abuse treatment. Students will expand upon their understanding of psychopharmacology as it pertains to substance use and addiction, as well as substance’s physiological effects on the brain. Students will learn psychoeducation, data, and community resources of substance use to be utilized with case studies for case presentation.

Prerequisites: None
This course is a survey of counseling intervention models with substance-abusing clients including evidence-based treatment approaches, modalities, and philosophies, including individual, group, family, therapeutic communities, community involvement, Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous, residential treatment, outpatient approaches, and comparative theories. Through a multicultural and social justice lens, students will receive an overview of various forms of addiction as well as addiction treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention. Students will examine current statistical data relevant to substance abuse and addiction. Students will learn current counseling approaches and intervention models in chemical dependency treatment, and determine treatment approaches for various case situations. Students will learn to conduct client intakes and foster effective therapeutic relationships. Students will learn to structure sessions based on the client’s progress, derived from ongoing biopsychosocial assessment. Students will learn ethical and legal considerations for counseling, and engage in personal growth as well as professional growth within psychology relevant to CADC certification.

Prerequisites: PSY 651, PSY 644
Students will focus on current clinical assessment, case conceptualization, and case management issues in relation to addiction. Students will develop efficient skills in creating the therapeutic alliance, active listening skills, counseling techniques, and gathering relevant history and systematic biopsychosocial assessment data from collateral information as well as client intake interviews. Students will learn diagnostic skills, differential diagnoses, effective writing skills, and maintenance of client records. In a multicultural focus, the students will consider ethical, environmental, and cultural contexts from a biopsychosocial lens. In addition to substance use, students will focus on addiction concerns related to compulsions (e.g., Eating Disorders, Shopping, Gambling and Video Games). Students will consider the implications of addictions in ethical, environmental and cultural contexts. Students will also enhance their understanding of consulting with professionals regarding treatment and case conceptualization and accurately presenting a case within supervision, feedback procedures, and various helping strategies.