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Chemical dependency counselors help those addicted to substances through individual, group, or family counseling. Requirements vary by state, but a college degree and graduate internship are generally needed. A master’s degree in counseling is recommended, with courses in human development, counseling theory, and assessment. Postgraduate supervised internship experience is also required before obtaining a license. Counselors can work in various settings, but the job is intensive and can lead to burnout.
Chemical dependency counselors work with individuals who are addicted to alcohol, drugs, or other substances. The work may involve individual counseling or it may involve group or family counseling. To become a chemical dependency counselor, you will generally need a college degree, a graduate degree, and a graduate internship.
Of note, substance abuse counselors vary in terms of the extent of their education. For example, some people become a chemical dependency counselor with just a high school degree and experience, while others go on to college and graduate school. Much depends on the state they work in, as state laws differ in terms of the requirements to become a chemical dependency counselor.
It can be helpful to get a college degree if you want to become a substance abuse counselor. In addition, it can be helpful to take an undergraduate degree in counseling or psychology, because these courses will introduce you to counseling techniques that you will be exploring more deeply in graduate school. This is not to say that an undergraduate degree in psychology or counseling is an absolute requirement for graduate counseling training. Instead, having a degree in counseling or psychology can be helpful in providing a foundation upon which you can pursue graduate school.
Generally, it is recommended that you apply to college during your final college semester. A master’s degree in counseling is generally recommended for anyone looking to become a chemical dependency counselor. This degree in counseling typically requires courses such as human development, interviewing, counseling theory and assessment. In addition, graduate counseling programs often require an internship that complements classroom experience with supervised real-world counseling experience.
Once they have completed their master’s, advisors are expected to complete their postgraduate supervised internship experience. Given that the career goal is to be a substance abuse counselor, postgraduate internship experience will involve supervised experiences in counseling substance abuse clients. Upon completion of the postgraduate internship, counselors obtain a license. Licensing requirements for counseling differ depending on location. It is important that you are aware of the relevant laws wherever you plan to work so that you are compliant and can legally work as a substance abuse counselor.
Once you are a full-fledged chemical dependency counselor, you can work in a variety of settings. For example, substance abuse counselors work in rehab centers, mental health centers, government buildings, private practices, prisons, prisons or hospitals. Drug addiction counselors may be working with men or women of any age who have addiction issues.
Remember that working as a chemical dependency counselor is very intensive work. For example, addiction counselors work long hours and pay varies. Furthermore, every day can be a crisis for the client and this puts extra stress on the counselor. So counselors should do their best to take care of themselves lest they succumb to burnout. However, being a chemical dependency counselor can be a rewarding job.
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