Psychology – Addictions Counseling

The addictions counseling concentration provides hands-on skills and clinical education in problems of substance use, abuse and dependence, as well as other related and co-occurring mental health addictive issues. Our program is designed to meet the educational requirements for Chemical Dependency Counselor licensure status, as well as the international certification standards in addiction counseling.

As a student in the program, you can complete an internship in the field and work on the 220 hours of practical experience in the 12 core areas that is required for licensure. If you achieve this and complete all of the required course work, you will only need one year of experience in the field (2,000 hours) to sit for the licensure exam in order to become licensed at the second highest level for chemical dependency counselors in Ohio. The only higher license in this field requires a master’s degree.

A Professional Education

• Professors teaching in the program are licensed professionals with with experiences working in the mental health and/or addictions field.
• Before completion of your degree, you are eligible to apply for the Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant License (after taking CSL 310).
• Addictions Counseling proves a valuable minor as well, adding an additional marketable skill/knowledge base to majors who might not practice as a counselor but might work with people facing addictions issues.
• Because of the current opiate epidemic, there is a shortage of chemical dependency counselors and many of our students report being able to find jobs in the field even before graduation.

*Program meets licensure requirements in the following States: North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Program does not meet licensure requirements in the following States: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Foreign Country, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Marshall Islands, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Northern Marianas, Palau, Virgin Islands*

Most psychology programs are general psychology and students don’t graduate with the educational credentials to qualify for clinical licensure in the field. Our addictions counseling program is housed within a psychology major so that students obtain a well-rounded education in the psychology field as well as a specialization in addictions counseling.

The instructors who teach our courses are licensed professionals with experiences working in the mental health and/or addictions field. They are capable of sharing case examples and real-life stories about addiction and mental health and the impact of their work with clients. You can see how what you’re learning in the classroom is relevant to the field.

The course content and course learning outcomes for courses are aligned with the Ohio Chemical Dependency Board’s requirements for licensure. Completion of the required CSL courses will allow you to meet the educational requirements for licensure.

Career-Ready Skills

The addictions counseling program will equip you with the professional skills you’ll need to be an effective addictions counselor, including:

• An understanding of the ethical principles of the field
• Microskills/Interviewing skills
• Group counseling skills
• Assessment and diagnosis skills
• Prevention, intervention and treatment skills
• Knowledge and skills in working with families and couples
• Knowledge about various treatment modalities including Motivational Interviewing, CBT and MAT
• Cultural awareness and competence

You will gain a solid foundation in psychology and addictions counseling through an active, hands-on education. Professors teaching in the program are licensed professionals with work experience in the field. Teachings are not only based on textbooks but case examples and real-life experiences with clients.

Learning by doing, in the addictions counseling program, you’ll:

• Participate in small group work.
• Engage in large group discussions.
• Analyze case studies both independently and as a class.
• Engage in role-plays.
• Participate in mock assessments and sessions playing both the role of the client and the counselor.
• Participate in mock group sessions, both as a group participant and as the group facilitator.
• Attend external counseling settings.
• Conduct interviews with professionals in the field.

In the final year of coursework, you’ll complete an internship in the field. You can choose an addictions counseling agency or setting where you can begin to work on the hours of practical experience in the 12 core areas that are required for licensure.

CURRICULUM

CONCENTRATION: ADDICTION COUNSELING – 3 hours each

• CSL310 Introduction to Addiction Theory and Practice
• CSL320 Counseling Procedures and Strategies with Addicted and Disordered Populations
• CSL425 Group Process and Techniques Working with Addicted and Disordered Populations
• CSL430 Cultural Competence in Counseling
• CSL435 Assessment & Diagnosis of Addictive & Behavioral Health Problems
• CSL440 Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Planning in Addictions
• CSL445 Theory and Practice of Relationship Counseling in Addictions & Behavioral Health
• SCS470 Internship I

Total = 24 hours

This is a sample course sequence to illustrate course offerings for this major. Consult the official Academic Bulletin for detailed registration and advising information.

SAMPLE COURSES

Introduction to Addiction Theory and Practice (CSL310) – This course is designed to examine the etiology, risk factors and treatment of alcoholism and other addictions. Focus will include historical and research foundations with the understanding of the trans-disciplinary foundations of the substance abuse theory and professional practice.

Counseling Procedures and Strategies with Addicted and Disordered Populations (CSL320) – This course is designed to provide the student with knowledge and experience in therapeutic factors, techniques, methods and basic skills relative to effective counseling. Specific focus will include an introduction to the practice of individual counseling with the micro-skills approach (Ivey). Students will demonstrate competence with basic counseling theory and skills through simulated counseling sessions. Counseling skills and intervention strategies will be practiced through in-class exercises.

Group Process and Techniques Working with Addicted Populations and Disordered Populations (CSL425) – This course addresses the patterns and dynamics of groups in a treatment and growth process. Focus includes group counseling, structure, types, stages, development, leadership, therapeutic factors and the impact of groups on the individual and larger systems. Effective group facilitation skills and techniques used to address diversity issues and special population needs are addressed.

FORMAT

On Campus – Offered in a 15-week semester format with start dates of January and August

CONCENTRATIONS

Other Psychology concentrations offered:

• Cross-Cultural and International Psychology (CCIP)
• Human Services

Chemical dependency counselors are in short supply and high demand in the state of Ohio, making employability in the field upon graduation and obtaining licensure highly likely.

CAREERS

• Addictions or Mental Health Case Manager (outpatient or inpatient)
• Adoption Agencies
• Behavioral Disorder Counselor*
• Community Organizer
• Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Foster Care Organizations
• Graduate School
• Head Start Programs
• Hospice Centers
• Human Resources Manager
• International Organizations
• Individual and Group Chemical Dependency Counselor (inpatient and outpatient)
• Intake and Assessment Worker (inpatient and outpatient)
• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
• Marriage and Family Therapist*
• Mental Health Organizations
• Nursing Homes
• Program Evaluator
• Psychoeducational Specialist
• Recreational Therapist
• Research and People-Oriented Jobs in the Criminal Justice and Business Fields (e.g. Human Resources)
• Residential Manager of Group Homes
• Sober Living and Halfway Houses Worker
• Substance Abuse Counselor

*Indicates advanced training or schooling is needed beyond an undergraduate degree

WHERE TU GRADS HAVE WORKED

• Bayshore
• Brainmaster Technologies, Inc.
• Claudia’s Kids Care Inc.
• Community Fairbanks Recovery Center
• Crisis Text Line
• Crosswaeh
• Firelands
• Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities
• In Session
• LCADA Way
• Marymount Treatment Center
• Med1care, Ltd.
• Oriana House
• Pinnacle Treatment Centers
• Private Practice
• Seneca County Job and Family Services
• The Woods at Parksid