Arizona

What does an Addiction Counselor in Arizona do? What is Their Job Role?

These types of counselors do important counseling work. These people help those recovering from drug or alcohol abuse and their families through some difficult times, shepherding them through treatment and later, through the maintenance stages.

While it's an admirable career path, potential drug and alcohol counselors do need to meet a specific set of requirements in the state of Arizona. To become a licensed, independent counselor, you’ll need to complete at least a master's degree, as well as jump through some additional hoops on the road to certification. Candidates can anticipate doing an internship, and participating in supervised practice sessions, in the time leading up to the big exam.

If you're thinking about becoming a substance counselor in Arizona, here is what you need to know about obtaining the right credentials, as well as what you can expect regarding salary and career path.

What Are the Job Duties and the Job Description?

These types of professionals work in a wide range of medical office and hospital locations. They might work in a rehabilitation facility, at a hospital, or in a private practice. Regardless of where you decide to work, the job duties are relatively uniform across settings. Most career professionals work directly with patients and play a hands-on role in their recovery process.

They provide support to people suffering from drug or alcohol dependence, as well as eating disorders or behavioral issues. This person works with their clients, teaching them how to modify their behavior and ultimately learn to cope with addiction dependencies.

In many cases, counselors will oversee the detox and rehab process, but they also provide ongoing care after treatment. Duties include evaluating the problem, leading group therapy sessions, teaching healthy coping mechanisms, and helping patients find jobs and get their career back on track.

What your counseling job will look like depends on the certification level you obtain before starting your career. A technician, for example functions as a support staff, while a LISAC may choose to open their own practice.

All counselors can expect to assess clients' addictions and behaviors, as well as any other underlying mental health issues. From there, the licensed will develop a plan of action aimed at benefiting not only the client, but their family, friends, and employer.

Drug and Alcohol rehab counselors often work one-on-one with patients in a therapeutic setting. Here, they'll work to uncover the triggers or causes of alcoholism or drug abuse.

Arizona Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors

Substance counseling professionals receive their credentials from a government organization. But, contrary to what you might think, there are actually a few different types of licenses you can get, depending on your goals as a certified professional.

In Arizona, there are three levels of certification, these options differ by education level.

Here is a look at the options:

Licensed Substance Abuse Technician (LSAT): Associate level education
Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC): Bachelor’s degree only
Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC): Master’s degree completed

Each level requires a specific set of coursework, and potentially an internship and supervised practice after completing the formal schooling part of one's education. The two higher levels, LASAC and LISAC require that you have degrees from an accredited institution.

All three licenses are obtained through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. This same board issues licenses to all mental health counselors, social workers, and support staff that work within this field.

All three licensees must have an associate's degree at minimum, even if the candidate intends to go for their technician certification only. That said, there are some special cases where the state might waive this condition.

This requirement is different than it is in many parts of the nation. Prospective licensees will take examinations that you'll see in other states. Bachelor's level candidates may get licensed for an associate position, but will need to obtain a Master's level education if they want to advance further in the profession.

Master’s graduates will get their associate license, but it's something of a pit stop on the way to their LISAC.

With a bachelor's degree, a LASAC credential may be a terminal license, meaning, they'll get the opportunity to work in the field without obtaining the additional degree. However, a bachelor's graduate will not achieve the license for two or more years post-degree.

In order to become licensed in Arizona, you must complete a series of steps.

Education Requirements

We’ve outlined this a bit above, but there’s no single straight answer for what, exactly, the educational requirements are for the profession as a whole. At the technician level, it’s pretty straightforward. You’ll simply need an associate’s degree from an accredited school. Later, you’ll need to pass the licensing exam.

Arizona LASAC Education Requirements

As you move up to the next two tiers, things get a bit more involved. The rundown for LASAC requirements:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Must be in a relevant major—psychology, marriage and family therapy, or another behavioral science.
Minimum of 30 credit hours of counseling coursework. Requirements are determined by the credentialing committee.
3200+ hours of supervised work experience in a hands-on clinical setting. Must relate to substance abuse.
100 hours of supervised clinical work
Passing score on the licensing exam

Master’s degree in behavioral science
24 completed semester credit hours of counseling-related coursework. Must be approved by the Arizona state board
Pass the exam
Read more LASAC requirements resources

Arizona LISAC Education Requirements

Becoming a Licensed Independent Contractor (LISAC) means you must meet the following criteria:

A master’s degree, minimum, in a behavioral health field, with emphasis on counseling. Degrees must, of course, be earned at an accredited college or university.
24 credit hours of counseling related coursework—While the board doesn't specify the courses needed, they must be directly related to treatment services, behavioral assessments, and diagnostics. It's also worth pointing out that entry-level classes like psychology 101 don't count toward said coursework--you'll need hands-on experience in this particular field.
Minimum of 3200 hours of supervised work, specifically in substance abuse counseling, completed in 24 months or less.
100 hours spent working under clinical supervision
1600 hours working directly with clients
And finally, passing the exam.
Read more LISAC requirements resources

Your degree must be in the mental health field--in counseling, general psychology, marriage and family studies, rehabilitation, or another related area. The other part of this is, your degree must be earned at a regionally accredited institution.

(CACREP) or (CORE) Licensure and Certification

Two types of accreditation are recognized in the United States; institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation takes the entire institution into account while the specialized focus on professional preparation programs. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a specialized accreditation that focuses on master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling at colleges and universities worldwide. Only already-accredited institutions are eligible for CACREP review. The review for accreditation will center on programs offering graduate degrees in counseling.

Choosing a CACREP-accredited substance abuse addiction program ensures that the program meets the highest of quality standards. Many counseling specialties are accredited bythe CACREP, including addiction counseling. Accredited counseling programs prepare individuals to work with those affected by addictive behavior and their families. Addictive behaviors include alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, and anything else that negatively affects your personal or work life by creating addictive behaviors.

CACREP-accredited programs will focus on treatment models and the phases of addiction including prevention, recovery, and relapse prevention. These 60-semester hour programs will include the application of interventions. When students choose a CACREP-accredited program they can be confident that:

the program meets or exceeds national standards
the program will focus on professional counseling rather than psychology or education
the program has an excellent reputation
CACREP graduates statistically receive higher scores on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).
the requirements for licensure will be met.

Board of Behavioral Health Examiners

The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners exists to enforce the qualification standards and performance expectations of licensed behavioral health professionals. The Board regulates all fields of counseling including marriage and family therapists, social workers, and addiction counselors. The Board also has the responsibility of protecting the public from unethical or unlawful behavioral health professionals. The Board investigates any complaints and enforces disciplinary action.

Address

1740 West Adams Street

Suite 3600

Phoenix AZ 85007

Phone

(602) 542-1882

Website Address

http://azbbhe.us

Licensure:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)

When you’re ready to get your credentials, you first stop should be the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. (3) The organization is responsible for issuing the exams. These guys will review your supervised hours, issue the ICRC exam and the NAADAC Level II or higher examination and review other requirements.

Nonetheless, work hours look various from therapist to specialist. Numerous of these specialists just authorize clients during traditional company hours. Others may function 2-3 evenings weekly as well as likewise weekend breaks to fit client regimens. Therapists might get emergency scenario calls from clients outside of their specified organisation hrs. Individuals with a chemical abuse therapy degree get authorized for a series of work.

Others focus extra on scenario recuperation in a clinical center setting. Licensing revival needs continuing education and also knowing, typically through the type of digital webinars. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), forecasts the need for drug abuse, action condition, along with psychological health therapists to climb 22% in between 2018 as well as additionally 2028, a lot faster than various other markets.

Bachelor's students increase their possibilities of entering a competitive master's program by obtaining volunteer experience at a drug abuse therapy facility. Gain a Master's Degree in Counseling According to the BLS, chemical abuse, behavior conditions, as well as mental wellness therapists just need a bachelor's level for entry-level positions. However, some states require a master's level in therapy or an associated field for licensure.

Some master's programs include a more economical prospect swimming pool than typical bachelor's programs, so think of putting on numerous programs. Total a Teaching Fellowship or Practicum States call for monitored hours for licensure, along with people function towards this need via a teaching fellowship or practicum. Pupils that intend to work out as a drug abuse specialist can intern at a recovery or special center.

Trainees obtain hands-on experience in teaching fellowships, while practicums generally stress tracking. Both supply trainees with the opportunity to apply their understanding in real-life scenarios. Select a Place of Experience The majority of programs motivate students to choose a field of expertise within the vast location of counseling. Focus programs use comprehensive expertise concerning particular locations of treatment, like relative therapy or early youth years psychology.

Individuals that want to come to be a product abuse specialist commonly select an emphasis in addiction recovery. Gain Professional Credentials Material misuse counselors call for to obtain licensure in order to exercise. Licensure standards differ among states, so examine your state's accurate needs. Many licensing boards require specialists to get a master's level in an area concerning treatment as well as complete regarding 3,000 humans resources of monitored experience.

What does it take to become an addiction counselor in Arizona? The answer is a master's degree. Most state requirements for a master's degree are the same as what you would find in a good career for counseling.

To become an addiction counselor in Arizona, you must graduate from a certified alcohol or substance abuse counselor school. If you are planning on working in a hospital, clinic, group treatment center, or private care facility for addicts, you may have to work with a different set of licensing requirements.

As for the formal education you will need for a Bachelor's degree and the certification that go along with that, the requirements for becoming an addiction counselor in Arizona are very similar to what you would find in a good career. You will need a bachelor's degree and one to four years of college coursework. Some of your undergraduate work may be liberal arts in nature while others may require more specialization.

Getting a Bachelor's degree is often the first step toward the professional certification that will open many doors for you. However, if you plan on working in a hospital, clinic, group treatment center, or private care facility for addicts, you may have to work with a different set of licensing requirements. The National Council for Licensure in Counselors recommends a master's degree for its Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) designation.

With that level of certification, you are considered a "master" and will be entitled to work as a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). This level of specialization is mandatory for most CAC positions.

To become a drug abuse counselor in Arizona, the student must also complete a degree in social work. Social work training can be part of the program you take at an accredited university or school. Other schools offer a combined bachelor's degree in counseling and sociology.

This is good news for students because these courses can be taken at home while working on an internship. When deciding which school to attend, think about what kind of experience the programs will provide.

Clinical, prevention, and intervention are the four areas most commonly covered in these programs. You should keep in mind, however, that some graduates do choose to take their education to a different level. Becoming an addiction counselor in Arizona is not for everyone.

When you consider what it takes to become an addiction counselor in Arizona, you may want to consider starting a new life before heading to a career in the field. Instead, consider becoming a life coach. The level of specialization is the same, you just need to decide whether you want to specialize in counseling and have your master's degree to show prospective employers.

Choosing a career path in the addiction counseling field may be better for you because you can have more control over your future. You can set your own schedule, choose which fields you want to work in, and where you live. However, you cannot help others make their choices about substance abuse, so you cannot do anything to change those destructive behaviors.

It is important to take time to explore all your options before making any decisions about where to attend substance abuse counselor school. Many people think that a master's degree is the only way to go. While you can do quite well with a Bachelor's degree and certifications, it is not the only option for someone seeking a career in addiction counseling.

You can enroll in an accredited community college or even enroll in a college or university and get your degree as a clinical social worker. At that point, you can work in a clinic, group treatment center, or prison setting as a licensed social worker. The right program, the right choice, and the right amount of time spent choosing your career will give you a great start in the world of addiction counseling.

Clinical Supervision Explained

After completing their education, candidates will need to complete 3,200 hours of supervised practice, with at least half of those hours spent working directly with clients.

Additionally, at least 100 hours of supervised practice must be provided by a LISAC. According to the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, your clinical supervisor must be licensed for the duration of the training period. Should the license be revoked during that period, those hours will need to be completed again with a supervisor who has a valid license.

Other Supervision Needed:

You may only log supervision hours when the primary topic was clinical services. For example, things like staff meetings or admin tasks don't typically qualify.
In group supervision situations, each group must contain six supervisees or fewer.
The supervisor must spend a minimum of ten hours observing the candidate or reviewing sessions via audio or video recordings.
As the candidate earns supervision hours, the supervisor will need to have a license issued by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Counselor Testing & Examination Process

Renewal and Continuing Education

Participate in at least 30 hours of continuing education on an annual basis. Continuing education may come in the form of seminars, college courses, or online courses.

The AZ State Board of Behavioral Health awards 15 hours of continuing education for each 1 credit hour course completed at an accredited college or university. Or, you can look toward classes provided through the

Potential Counselor Career Path Options

Addiction Counselor
Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Behavioral Health Specialist
Certified Addiction Drug and Alcohol Counselor
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Mental Health Counselor
School Counselor
Substance Abuse Counselor

Associations & Organizations

As we've briefly mentioned above, there are a few associations linked to AZ counselor professionals.

Here's a little background on each and the role they play in helping mental health professionals get certified and stay up-to-date in their field.

ABCAC---Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners the same Board that issues licenses to mental health and social workers. Licensing information is available from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Arizona Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (AzAADAC)— The Arizona chapter of the national organization, the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. The AzAADAC, and by extension, the whole organization is a resource for professionals.

Pros can become members, which grants them access to 145+ hours annually of continuing education, access to their jobs board, plus a whole host of magazines and books.

IC&RC: The International Credentialing Organization. This resource is a global association that provides training and credentialing in substance abuse counseling, treatment, clinical supervising, and more. According to the IC&RC site, the exams and training courses are updated every five to seven years, in keeping with industry updates. While you’ll need to pass the IC&RC test, you can do so directly with them, or arrange the process through the ABCAC.

In the end, becoming a drug and alcohol counselor isn’t a decision you can make on a whim. We recommend pursuing this career path if you’re truly passionate about helping people. Salaries tend to hover around the $50,000 range, even with a master’s degree.

That said, licensed counselors for drugs and alcohol have the potential to become a force of positive change for their clients, their families, and society, in general.