Become certified in addictions counseling
At Jamestown Community College, you can make a difference in the lives of individuals suffering from addiction and substance abuse with a certificate in Addictions Counseling.
This certificate is for students studying healthcare, psychology, human services, or a related field, and want additional credentialing in addictions services. At JCC, you will develop knowledge of the nature and history of addiction and chemical dependency, and learn skills needed for intake assessment, treatment, case management, and counseling.
The certificate satisfies the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) 350-hour educational requirement to become a CASAC-Trainee, which lets you apply for CASAC-T certification through NYS OASAS with the goal of becoming fully credentialed as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor (CASAC) in New York. Learn more about becoming a CASAC »
2024 median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: $59,190/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Where to study at JCC
Courses
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.