Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees and Careers
(found programs from 86 schools)
Greetings Everyone,
Grace On You, L.L.C. was honored to receive the following request!
On Wed, Jun 20, 2012, at 03:28 PM, Matthew Gardner wrote:
I’m writing from OnlinePsychologyDegrees.com, an education and career resource for aspiring psychologists and counselors. I noticed that you share a lot of helpful substance abuse information on your blog Grace On You, and thought that your readers might be interested in our new video interview with Gerry Schmidt of the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).
In the interview, Mr. Schmidt discusses misconceptions about substance abuse counseling, as well as his advice on how to get started in the field.
The interview can be found on our substance abuse counseling page at http://www.onlinepsychologydegrees.com/specialty/substance-abuse-counseling/
Would it be possible to post a link to it on your site? We’d love to share it!
Guadalupe at Grace On You, L.L.C. did view it and found it highly informative! Online Psychology Degrees is very useful and matches Grace On You, L.L.C. community vision “to share, to serve and to improve quality of life!”
Online Programs in Substance Abuse Counseling
Students in online substance abuse counseling programs are typically seeking licensure, and many online programs are designed with licensing requirements in mind. Since states have different licensing criteria, students should contact their state licensing bureaus to review requirements before enrolling in an online substance abuse counseling master’s program. Students may be better off pursuing brick-and-mortar degrees in their states if the online substance abuse counseling programs they are entering will not satisfy their state licensing requirements.
In addition to coursework, almost all online programs in substance abuse counseling require pre-practicum fieldwork, in which students interact with clients on a limited basis, and several hundred hours of practicum. Courses may include theories of addiction counseling, research and assessment, and more. Most online substance abuse counseling programs offer elective courses in areas such as sexuality and addictive behavior.
Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees to Consider:
Capella University’s Master of Science in addiction counseling consists of 11 core courses, a practicum, a six-week residential colloquium, and seven specialized courses. Practicum experiences are required as part of a 10-week online class. According to the university, this program focuses specifically on treating addictions alongside other mental health issues.
Arizona-based Grand Canyon University offers an online substance abuse counseling master’s degree that can result in licensure for Arizona residents. Arizona students who graduate from the program can earn the Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor designation. Other states also accept the program for licensure.
At the University of North Carolina, students who do not want a master’s degree can earn a certificate in substance abuse and addiction counseling that will prepare them to become certified substance abuse counselors in North Carolina. Individuals who complete the program can also potentially become certified as clinical addiction specialists.
Introduction to Substance Abuse Counseling Careers
Substance abuse counselors have one of the most challenging types of counseling jobs, helping patients to overcome addiction to everything from drugs and alcohol to gambling. The behavioral issues a substance abuse counselor treats vary widely.
Advice from the Experts
Below, OnlinePsychologyDegrees.com speaks with Errol Rodriguez, Substance Abuse Counselor; Gerry Schmidt, Consultant with the NAADAC (Association for Addiction Professionals); and Dr. Mary Anne Roy, a psychologist at Crossroads, an addiction and behavioral health treatment center, about how to get started in the addiction counseling field.
I am a Life Coach/Brief Interventionist. My emphasis is on trading in our relationship with alcohol, drugs and negative thinking for an amazing relationship with others and most importantly developing an extraordinary relationship with our self!
Grace On You, LLC 
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