Start your journey towards becoming an addictions or substance abuse counselor
Introduction to Addictions Counseling explores the core functions of assessing and treating substance abuse disorders and provides an overview of the tactics, knowledge, and attitudes needed to be an effective substance abuse counselor. The course teaches therapeutic communication skills such as active listening, empathy, reflection, and affirmation. You will also explore the implications of culturally diverse populations during the counseling process and treatment outcomes.
This course serves as an ideal starting point for those eager to pursue careers in addictions or substance abuse counseling and can stack into a MSU Denver credential or degree.
Flexible schedule
Course can be completed in 4-8 weeks and is self-paced online.
Career advisement
Receive a personal advising session with an industry leader.
High job demand
Gain a competitive edge.
Career pathways for addictions and substance abuse counseling
Approximate return on investment for each academic pathway
After taking the course, you can immediately enter the workforce or continue onto a degree through MSU Denver and increase your earning potential.
Pathway 1: Complete the Introduction to Addictions Counseling course and immediately enter the workforce.
- The median salary is $31,500 a year.
Pathway 2: Continue your education by earning a bachelor’s degree in Human Services at MSU Denver. The Introduction to Addictions Counseling course can count toward the required courses.
- The median salary is $47,000 a year.
Pathway 3: Expand your learning and add a certification to your resume as a certified substance abuse counselor.
- The median salary is $57,000 a year.
Pathway 4: Enhance your earning power with MSU Denver’s Master of Science in Clinical Behavioral Health. The Introduction to Addiction Counseling course can count toward the degree’s required courses.
- The median salary is $67,000 a year.
About Introduction to Addictions Counseling
The Introduction to Addictions Counseling course will review the required knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be an effective addiction counselor. In addition, students will examine the etiology, assessment, and treatment of substance use disorders. Students also examine ethical and multicultural issues, trauma-informed care, and clinician self-care.
This course also teaches the practicals of active listening, showing empathy, reflections, and affirmations — which are all important aspects of addictions counseling.
The course is $450, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.
- Registration opens in May
- Course begins – September 3, 2024
- Last day to register – September 10, 2024
- Course ends – November 3, 2024
Once you successfully complete the Intro to Addictions Counseling online course, you can immediately enter the workforce with newly learned skills. You will receive a digital badge embedded with the competencies learned. You can include this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer. Students will also receive a certificate of completion.
Students can also convert the course to three credits and continue to an MSU Denver certificate or degree. See FAQs for more information.
- Identify ethical and legal challenges in the counseling profession
- Analyze the implications of culturally diverse populations on the counseling process and treatment outcomes.
- Demonstrate therapeutic communication skills such as active listening, empathy, reflection, affirmation and summaries.
- Critique models regarding the etiology, assessment and treatment of substance use and mental health disorders.
- Evaluate tools and instruments for the assessment of substance use and mental health disorders to be used by addictions counselors and substance abuse counselors.
- Describe the key elements of Trauma Informed Care and how it is used to address trauma in individuals, agencies and communities.
- Discuss the importance of counselor self-care and develop a personalized self-care plan
Patrick Griswold has 20+ years experience in the behavioral health field as a clinician, administrator, and educator. In addition to being a licensed mental health and addiction counselor, he is a RN with a specialty in mental health nursing. Patrick is the former director of North Charles, a Harvard Medical School-affiliated substance abuse treatment program in Cambridge MA. He has provided training and supervision for Harvard Medical School residents, he is currently on faculty at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Human Services and Counseling, and Nursing Departments.
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3rd Floor – #330
Auraria Campus
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362