The chronic use of a substance that alters the mind, such as alcohol or narcotics, is referred to as substance abuse. Although the majority of drug abusers may discover that these chemicals come with a lot of euphoric side effects, the truth is that such substances are ultimately quite destructive. For instance, these addictive chemicals can shatter a person's spirit in addition to harming their physical health. During this practicum, you must complete at least 21 hours in each of the 12 Core Functions of Addiction Counseling. These functions include everything from patient intake to evaluation to conferring with other professionals and much more.

To attain one's MAC credential, you must first hold a master’s degree in substance use disorders/addiction. Applicants might also hold an advanced degree in social work, counseling psychology, marriage and family counseling, or some other related field. Other education requirements include three years of full-time work in the field or a total of 6,000 hours of supervised experience as a substance abuse counselor or other professional, state-licensed counseling position. Applicants need 500 contact hours of education in substance use disorders/addiction, six hours of ethics training, and another six hours of training in HIV/other pathogens within the previous six years. Initial credentialing fees are $230 (non-refundable) and renewal fees are $200 (non-refundable). This credential requires that candidates hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in substance use disorders/addiction or a related field such as social work, psychology, mental health counseling, etc.

Qualities of a Good Substance Abuse Counselor

Covered topics may include biological, social, cognitive and emotional factors that can alter and influence human development. Additional topics may include crises, abnormal psychology, family dynamics and psychopathology in the context of development. Below are three foundational courses that often appear in master’s substance abuse counseling in counseling psychology curricula. Keep in mind that the three courses we describe below are only a few examples of what you might encounter in a graduate counseling psychology program. Some counseling psychology programs also require applicants to submit GRE scores, especially if they do not have a 3.0 GPA.

Ensure your prospective online program is accredited by a recognized body and meets licensing requirements for the state you plan to practice. The cost of earning an online master’s in counseling can vary widely due to factors like in-state or out-of-state status, part-time or full-time enrollment, and public or private school status. Most counseling master’s programs require between 50 and 60 credits and involve extensive field experience, which can impact the cost of this degree. Determining your academic and professional goals is a vital step in your educational journey. Earning a master’s in counseling can prepare you for diverse clinical and non-clinical roles in various settings, including private practices, mental health clinics, schools and community organizations.

What is the difference between a MA and a MS in counseling?

This program is aligned with the Psychotherapy Action Network and equips students with the academic and clinical training to engage in relationally informed clinical practice in various mental health settings. Students gain 300 hours of supervised, face-to-face clinical hours through the required traineeship. Numerous niches exist within counseling, catering to specific client needs and areas of expertise.

• Before beginning any type of counseling or treatment, substance abuse and addictions counselors must be certain that their clients are sincere in their desire to break their patterns and discontinue recurrences of substance abuse.
• Numerous niches exist within counseling, catering to specific client needs and areas of expertise.
• Substance addiction therapy is a type of counseling that can be used to assist individuals in overcoming substance dependencies, including those involving alcohol and drugs.
• It provides all the education that you need to prepare for your IC&RC test and become a Certified Addiction Counselor in California.
• Other times, though, they may be forced to see counselors, either by loved ones or the law.
• It is, and there’s no wonder why the job requires a certain coursework level and some experience.

Schools often vary in terms of full-time and part-time enrollment, and online master’s in counseling psychology programs may deliver coursework synchronously or asynchronously. Students who plan to work full time while enrolled may wish to take asynchronous courses. The median annual salary for substance abuse counselors and related professions was $43,300 in May of 2017. Wages for the top 10 percent of U.S. substance abuse and mental health counselors was considerably higher, though, at just north of $70,000 annually. Many counseling centers now offer teletherapy, so employers often seek candidates with computer skills.