Colorado Substance Abuse and Behavioral Counselors: Schools and Careers

Substance abuse and behavioral counselors are certified or licensed professionals who help those with behavioral health problems manage and overcome issues like addiction. Colorado's competitive certification and licensure programs could provide candidates with the tools they need to succeed in this challenging career path.

Colorado Substance Abuse and Behavioral Counselor Schools

Behavioral counseling programs in Colorado can require anything from an associate degree to a Ph.D., and there are many programs that complement and accompany these certification and licensure programs. Some of the largest schools in Colorado that offer counseling and psychology programs include:

• Colorado State University: One of the largest academic institutions in the state, Colorado State University offers more than 150 programs from professional and certification programs to undergraduate and graduate degrees, both on-campus and online. Programs include Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Behavioral Health, and more.
  
  
• Metropolitan State University of Denver: The Metropolitan Date University of Denver offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Psychology and Clinical/Counselling Psychology. Other programs include concentrations in Mental Health Counseling and Certified Addiction Counseling.
  
  
• University of Colorado Denver: The University of Colorado Denver offers undergraduate and graduate programs, along with a number of professional certificate and unique hands-on learning programs. Academic programs include Psychology and Counseling degrees for Bachelor's and Master's students, and Ph.D. programs in Social and Behavioral Health.
  
  
• University of Colorado Boulder: The largest university in the state, the University of Colorado Boulder offers over 100 professional, associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs, along with competitive training programs throughout the fields of clinical psychology, counseling, behavioral sciences, and more.
  
  
• University of Northern Colorado: The University of Northern Colorado is a public research institution offering certification programs, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. The university offers degrees in Psychology, Social Work, and a robust selection of behavioral sciences professional counseling programs.

Coursework for Colorado Substance Abuse and Behavioral Counselor Programs

Certification and licensing programs for addiction and behavioral counselors in Colorado can prepare candidates for this rigorous work with a combination of fieldwork, education, and examinations. Skills candidates will obtain, as well as relevant coursework topics, include:

• Addiction counseling
• Professional ethics
• Pharmacology
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Clinical assessment
• Trauma
• Abnormal psychology
• Individual and group counseling
• Clinical supervision

Colorado Substance Abuse and Behavioral Counselor License

For those looking to pursue a career in substance abuse and behavioral counseling in Colorado, there are two main categories to consider:

• Certification - There are three tiers of certification for addiction counselors in Colorado. CAC-I, CAC-II, and CAC-III represent the three levels of "Colorado Addiction Counselor" certification. To complete these programs, candidates are required to complete supervised work, education and coursework, and a practicum.
  
  
• License - The single licensure program earns candidates the title of Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). To qualify for this license, candidates must hold a Master's degree or a Ph.D. In addition to the appropriate degree, candidates also need to complete all of the CAC-III requirements, and pass a nationally-recognized Addiction Counseling examination. Finally, completion of all the requirements enables candidates to apply for official certification from the Colorado State Board of Education.

Resources for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Counselors in Colorado

• For those seeking to apply to the Colorado Addiction Counselor certification programs, the state Behavioral Health Division published a useful training program and handbook.
  
  
• Once LAC candidates are prepared to apply for their license, they will need to submit forms made available by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
  
  
• Human Services Edu offers a valuable resource to individuals considering becoming a Colorado Addiction Counselor or a Licensed Addiction Counselor.