Certified Addiction Counselor

I researched the Texas state laws and the Oregon state laws for the licensing of professional counselors. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors requires a graduate level degree, supervised practicum experience, passing score for the National Counselor Exam and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam, and an internship. Texas offers two levels of credentialing which are the Licensed Professional Counselor Intern (LPC-I) and the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). As a LPC-I, the person is allowed to practice as a counselor while gaining the experience and intern hours needed to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (Counseling licensure in Texas, 2015).

First, the identification of a licensed chemical dependency counselor would suffice at the moment. A licensed chemical dependency counselor are counselors that specialize in identifying and treating addictive behaviors that are maladaptive, altered from cognitive imbalance, and from physiological discrepancies, or frequent intoxication to achieve homeostasis or functionality to some extent. In other words, licensed chemical dependency counselors establish and implement treatments to help people cure their addictions from substances which they are chemically dependent on. Second, the nature of chemical dependency is to be acknowledged. The nature of chemical dependency is not very well understood by human population. Many people see addictions as diseases, immoral behaviors or sins, as maladaptive behaviors, and some may view such substance dependence as out of control behaviors as well. However, chemical or substance dependency is a mental issue. The mind tells the body that it needs a certain substance to function, it is a craving that is difficult for the body to ignore, and the body cannot function until such a need is met. The change in behaviors, mood and conscious motivates the mind further to continue finding ways to meet this need. Therefore, there is not only an addiction, but a chemical dependency issue as well. It is strong and difficult to defeat. It is strong enough that it may cause some people to conduct criminal activities or infringe upon the rights and

As a Deck Captain in Colley House, it is my responsibility to help keep all of my

When most people think of substance abuse and addiction counseling they often only think of the 12 step program or alcoholics anonymous. The truth is that an addiction counselor must have a vast knowledge in the

Currently, I am a counselor in training at East Carolina University within the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies. Upon graduation, I will be pursuing licensure as a Clinical Addiction Specialist and a Professional Counselor. I am working at the Navigate Counseling Clinic, under the supervision of Qunesha Hinton, who also serves as my ECU doctoral student supervisor. My faculty supervisor is Shari Sias, Associate Professor, Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling Program Director at East Carolina University (office number: 252-744-6304; email: siass@ecu.edu) and facility supervisor is Dr. Leigh Atherton at Navigate Counseling Clinic (office number: 252-744-6300; email: athertonw@ecu.edu) .

Select and describe one issue of interest. Describe advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients. Identify public policies on the local, state, and national levels that affect the quality and accessibility of mental health services.

While working in W.I.C., I became aware of the need for substance abuse and mental health counseling in western North Carolina. Therefore, in April 2013, through grants offered to veterans, I returned to college to begin my education in social work with a concentration in substance abuse and mental health counseling. I had previously obtained an A.S. in Christian Education and found that the knowledge gained through those classes was foundational and relevant to the social work field.

I see myself 15 years from now as a Drug Counselor helping over a million people with their problems. I chose this career because I have lost a lot of family due to drugs and alcohol and i’ve been through it and no family should ever have to go through it.There are not enough drug counselors around the area for this many people to be doing drugs. Even though they shouldn’t be doing drugs in the first place. The satisfactions of me doing this job is not for the amount of money because drug counselors don’t make a lot of money. I would do it because i’ve learned a lot about drugs and the price that comes with it. I’ve learned a lot about drugs and there is still a lot more to learn . So i am going to pay extra special attention in health class.

Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors requires anyone who want a counselor’s license have a master’s degree between 2,000 and 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience and pass the state exam as well a complete continuing education each year (DSHS, 2014).

Through standardized testing, the Commission is able to set a benchmark for professionals and monitor the abilities of those who treat addictions (NAADAC, 2013). It is extremely important to focus on the individual counselor to determine the current knowledge and competence at the national level. In addition, the process was created to establish, measure, and monitor the requirements for knowledge in the profession while providing assistance to identify quality counselors who have met the national competency standards. As one can see the certification, professional licensing, and credentialing of substance abuse professionals are important to ensure quality service is received by the client, counselor, and service provider

Substance abuse is a widespread problem in the United States. That is why certified addictions counselors are in high demand today. Addiction counselors can work in a variety of places, including prisons, residential treatment facilities and hospitals.

An applicant must obtain a master’s or doctoral degree from a mental health field and accumulate 60 graduate semester hours in counseling from a regionally accredited institution of higher education including 9 courses specific to counseling. Candidates must pass a DPH exam in counseling. In October of 2017, the state is changing its requirements for graduate programs to add 100 hours of practicum with at least 40 hours of direct client contact and 600 hours in mental health counseling internship consisting of 240 hours of direct client contact. (Department of Health, 2016)

Required coursework for certification includes 60 hours of providing supervised counseling of direct services to individuals and groups outside of the candidate's official internship/field experience working with individuals and groups (60 clock hours) (State certification requirements, 2012, American School Counselor).

To become a professional licensed counselor (LPC) in West Virginia, one must complete the specific requirements from the state. You must graduate from an accredited master’s program. The coursework requirement is a 60-hour master’s degree in counseling or another related field. Within the 60 hours there are 14 content areas in which you need 3 graduate semester hours of coursework in each (includes a practicum and internship), the remaining hours will be clinically related electives. After receiving your master’s degree, you may apply for licensure. After applying for licensure, the credentialing committee will review your application materials. They will determine if you have met the coursework requirements. Once you are approved for licensure, you are eligible to receive approval to take the National Counselor Exam.

As an Autistic Behavior Therapist Trainee, I am constantly teaching Makena, the girl with Autism, life skills and hope that one day they will stick with her. Each day at work I interact with Makena and am able to see the progress she has made. One day in November, I arrived at work and started the therapy with Makena. To my surprise, she acknowledged me and said "Hi Ashley" without any prompting! Knowing that I was able to successfully teach Makena a new, seemingly insignificant, life skill, made me so proud of her. The feeling of successfully teaching is