Monday, March 3, 2014

Online Continuing Education For Addiction Counselors Increases Their Effectiveness

By Leticia Jensen


Someone becomes an addiction counselor only after years of higher education. Classroom and clinical experience are of equal importance. After graduating and gaining one or more degrees, online continuing education for addiction counselors will be ongoing.

Opportunities in this field are growing due to the problems with addiction among all segments of the population. Job satisfaction can be major. Post graduate coursework keeps the therapist up to date on innovations in the field.

Your BS in psychology or sociology may have laid the groundwork for a career in addictive behavior. Now, with an MS in Addiction Counseling you can build on that groundwork. Online you can continue to learn while holding down a job.

There are accepted procedures in intervention as well as prevention. Learn about the wide variety of approaches that are used. Learn the ways to evaluate a client and devise the optimal way to provide the help needed.

The goal is for the student to progress from student to behaviorist, case manager, detox expert or general counselor for addicts. Other possible positions are vocational or residential adviser. Eventually she or he may work in a mental health facility, a hospital or a university.

The counselor with a masters degree can pursue a doctorate on the Internet. Specialists who treat addicts are needed at all educative levels. However, after being licensed, all levels must earn the required units of continuing education credits. Courses in various topics are available.

Those who work at mental health counseling are required by law to pass an exam and be licensed. Each year, new continuing educative credits must be earned. Each state has its own requirements for licensure and these credits.

Earning these required credits can be done online rather than in a classroom. It offers a savings in both time and money. It makes it possible to maintain employment while fulfilling the requirements.

A certification confirms the capability of a therapist to treat addictive disorders. It is made available on the Internet to make it more accessible. What it does is certify licensure and create the required CE hours to achieve licensure.

Each continuing education unit equals ten hours of coursework. It must be earned in a program that is accredited. Each profession as well as each state has its own number of credit hours that are required.

Regulation began in 1968. The health of all consumers is protected by an organization named the American National Standards Institute. Another, IACET sets standards to assist all the programs for CPUs to meet accreditation criteria.

Ongoing education makes it possible to keep all therapists updated on the most recent advancements in understanding addiction. It is repeated every year. The certificate is suitable for framing to display in the counselors office.

Attending a symposium or conference also keeps one in touch. He or she is able to talk to and network with others working in the profession. This is a wonderful opportunity to form new professional relationships.

Such relationships may be beneficial at some time during the career of the addiction counselor. It is a chance to exchange ideas and business cards. You may want to ask for advice if he or she specializes a specific topic he specializes in.




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