Counselors who specialize in chemical dependency work with people who are addicted to alcohol, drugs, or other substances. One-on-one counseling, group counseling, or family counseling could all be part of the job. A college degree, a post-graduate degree, and a post-graduate internship are typically required to work as a chemical dependency counselor.
It’s worth noting that chemical dependency counselors have varying levels of education. Some people, for example, become chemical dependency counselors with only a high school diploma and work experience, while others attend college and graduate school. Because state laws differ in terms of the requirements to become a chemical dependency counselor, a lot depends on where they work.
If you want to work as a chemical dependency counselor, a college degree may be beneficial. Additionally, having an undergraduate major in counseling or psychology can be beneficial because these majors will introduce you to the counseling techniques that you will be studying in greater depth in graduate school. This isn’t to say that a psychology or counseling major as an undergraduate is a must for graduate counseling training. Rather, a bachelor’s degree in counseling or psychology can serve as a solid foundation for further study in graduate school.
In general, you should apply to graduate school during your final semester of college. Anyone interested in becoming a chemical dependency counselor should pursue a Master of Science (MS) degree in counseling. Human development, interviewing, counseling theory, and assessment are typical courses for a counseling degree. Additionally, most graduate counseling programs require an internship, which combines classroom learning with supervised real-world counseling experience.
Counselors must complete their post-graduate supervised internship experience after completing their MS degree. Because the goal of the post-graduate internship is to work as a chemical dependency counselor, it will include supervised experiences counseling chemically dependent clients. Counselors are licensed after completing a post-graduate internship. The requirements for counseling licensure vary by state. It is critical that you are aware of the relevant laws in the area where you plan to work in order to remain compliant and legally work as a chemical dependency counselor.
You can work in a variety of settings once you’ve completed your training as a full-fledged chemical dependency counselor. Chemical dependency counselors, for example, work in rehab centers, mental health facilities, government buildings, private practice, prisons, jails, and hospitals. Chemical dependency counselors may work with men and women of any age who are struggling with addiction.
Keep in mind that being a chemical dependency counselor is a demanding job. Chemical dependency counselors, for example, work long hours and are paid differently. Furthermore, every day can be a crisis for the client, which adds to the counselor’s stress. As a result, counselors must go to great lengths to care for themselves in order to avoid burnout. However, working as a chemical dependency counselor can be a rewarding experience.