Substance Abuse and Behavioral Counselors are mental health providers who work with individuals or groups to overcome obstacles such as addiction, eating disorders, or other behavioral health problems. As more health insurance plans in the state begin to cover mental health care, more substance abuse counseling programs in Pennsylvania are becoming available to prospective counselors.
There are more than 100 substance abuse counselor schools in Pennsylvania, making it easy for individuals to find the perfect program, from professional certifications to higher degrees. These include:
In Pennsylvania, it is possible to begin a substance abuse counseling career as early as after the completion of high school or a GED. Throughout certifications and licensure requirements, counselors can be expected to complete:
Many of these skills are tested through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium written and oral exams, which are required for completion of several certifications and licenses detailed below.
For the state of Pennsylvania, there is no comprehensive mandate for licensure for substance abuse counseling. Typically, organizations require a minimum of an Associate's degree with relevant clinical experience. The Pennsylvania Certification Board does offer a number of certification programs, including for a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), and a Certified Associate Addiction Counselor (CAAC). An individual can earn a CAAC without a degree, and candidates may first complete the Associate Addiction Counselor (AAC) program, which is a primer course for the full, certified program.
Meanwhile, a CADC candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree. Candidates typically benefit from a degree in Psychology, Social Work, or Sociology, among others. Another tier of certification, the Certified Advanced Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADAC), requires a Master's degree.
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