Addictions Counselor Certification: Why Need to I Get It?

May 24, 2013 robot Uncategorized

Investigation and clinical practice has demonstrated that co-occurring issues (addictions and mental health troubles occurring collectively) are the rule, not the exception. This leaves a lot of people who have been educated as psychologists, mental wellness counselors and marriage and family therapists at a fantastic disadvantage, each clinically and professionally. They are at a clinical disadvantage, because addictions counseling requires a really distinct counseling strategy than most counselors use. Professionally they are at a disadvantage simply because many insurance coverage organizations, agencies and Medicaid are beginning to call for certification in addictions counseling to operate with customers who have addictions.

So, what are the possibilities? Most of us do not want to go back to college to get however another degree. The very good news is that obtaining your precertification training for addictions counseling is simple. You can take on-line courses such as those supplied at or go to conferences or take college courses. In most states, any addictions certification is sufficient. The National Association for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) each offer national addictions certifications. Your other option is to get certified in your house state. Numerous states now have boards that offer certification as an addictions expert. The down side to state certifications is that they do not transfer if you move out of state.

But I am carrying out addictions counseling now and am not certified. Why should I jump by way of all of those hoops? Properly, there are numerous motives: Ethics, effectiveness, earning prospective. All expert codes of ethics state that you need to be appropriately educated to provide solutions to your target population. For that reason, if you are licensed or certified in mental overall health or psychology, you are expected to obtain the extra education needed to effectively serve your population. As I stated earlier, addictions counseling is far various than standard Rogerian speak therapy. To be successful as an addictions counselor, you should understand the addiction, how it has turn out to be the persons ideal fiend, why they do not want to give it up and cognitive-behavioral and answer-focused approaches to aid them make the alter. Lastly, earning potential. Addictions certifications open up a whole new set of employment possibilities. Moreover, a lot of agencies will pay far more for a person with an addictions certification, versus someone with only a mental health counseling license or no license at all.

In this age of addictive behavior: alcohol, drugs, consuming disorders, gambling, the net and sex, it is vitally essential that clinicians can recognize and treat addictive behaviors. In persons with co-occurring problems, it is even far more important, because alcohol or drug abuse and consuming problems all influence the dosage and effectiveness of psychotropic drugs. Go to NAADAC at: for more info.Authentic-You Katie Swartz

2025 112th Ave NE, Ste 300

Bellevue, WA 98004

(206) 794-2717

http://www.yelp.com/biz/authentic-you-katie-swartz-bellevue

get the facts bellevue wa couples counseling