Become certified in addictions counseling
At Jamestown Community College, you can make a difference in the lives of those suffering from addiction and substance abuse by obtaining a certificate in addictions counseling and pursuing CASAC-TR credentialing.
This certificate is designed for students who are pursuing or already hold a college degree in human services, social work, or a related field and are seeking credentials in the field of alcohol, substance abuse and other addiction treatment. You will develop knowledge of the nature and history of addiction and chemical dependency, and learn skills needed for intake assessment, treatment planning, case management, and counseling.
Graduates will fulfill New York State’s educational requirements for CASAC-TR certification. JCC’s coursework meets the 350 educational hours required through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). You can take just the courses that you need; contact OASAS and submit your transcripts to request a deficiency of hours list.
The Addictions Counseling certificate has been named to the Top 25 Best Online Certificates in Addiction Counseling list for 2021.
2020 median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: $47,660/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where to study at JCC
Addictions counseling skills
After you complete the program, you will be able to:
- Learn about substance abuse, including the physical and pharmacological effects of substances, diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders, diverse intervention and treatment approaches, health, wellness and communicable diseases, and the use of toxicology testing and screening devices.
- Develop counseling skills pertaining to addictions, including individual, group and family approaches, while developing cultural competence and knowledge of special populations.
- Demonstrate understanding of theories of human development and their relationship to substance abuse, and the impact of substance use on families and community.
- Demonstrate skills in assessment, clinical evaluation, record keeping, treatment planning, case management, and patient, family, and community education.
- Develop competence in maintaining professional and ethical responsibilities, including counselor-client relationships, ethical decision making and conduct, confidentiality and legal issues, and counselor wellness.