Indiana
What does an Addiction Counselor in Indiana do? What is Their Job Role?
Anyone who is thinking of pursuing a career in the field of substance abuse counseling in the state of Indiana must consider a variety of substance abuse counseling careers. These careers entail a variety of educational requirements, licensure, and field work depending upon which one you choose to pursue.
Overview
An addiction counselor is someone who provides a client with counseling services who has been diagnosed with some form of substance disorder. The responsibility of a substance abuse counselor is treatment that includes at least fifty percent of the service to be actual addiction counseling services that may include structured interviewing of the client and family members if needed and reviewing assessment and planning a treatment process customized to the client’s needs. This can also include the responsibility of contacting other professional clinics to coordinate the services for treatment that a client needs and that are part of the treatment plan.
Very often, clients are referred for mental health evaluations and services as part of the structured plan. This includes educating a client and sometimes the family members on educational programs related to learning about mental health treatments related to a client’s substance abuse. This may include meeting with teams of treatment professionals to properly assess the needs of the client and coordinating with them the proper services.
Indiana Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors
Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC)
The state of Indiana sets a high standard for a license in both of these careers. A Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in order to practice while a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) must have a minimum of a master’s level degree or higher.
In rare cases, a LAC or LCAC is exempt from obtaining state of Indiana licensure, but must show other professional qualifications from a recognized organization or agency in the field of addiction counseling in order to be approved to practice in the state of Indiana.
Education Requirements
Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
The following specifications are required in order to hold the title of Licensed Addiction Counselor in the state of Indiana:
A bachelor’s degree must be held in one of the following subject areas: addiction counseling, psychology, sociology, social work.
You must have completed coursework in the following subjects: family education, ethics, treatment planning, diversity competency, theories of addiction, psychoactive drugs, skills in addiction counseling, personality theories, developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology
Field experience as a practicum, internship, or work experience totaling 350 hours of actual addiction counseling
Two years of supervised experience in addiction counseling (with proof) post-degree
Face-to-face supervision of 150 hours (100 hrs. individualized counseling; 50 hours group counseling)
Passing of the ADC or the NCACII exam (see below)
Pass the Indiana Jurisprudence examination: A test of the state of Indiana’s laws and rules governing practice in various fields including substance abuse counseling.
Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC)
A Master’s degree in only the behavioral science specialty is accepted
Successfully completed courses in the following subjects: family education, ethics, treatment planning, diversity competency, theories of addiction, psychoactive drugs, skills in addiction counseling, personality theories, developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology
350 supervised hours of practicum, internships, or work in the field of substance abuse counseling
Passing of the IC&RC exam or the NAADAC exam
2 years post-degree supervised substance abuse counseling
100 hours of individualized, face-to-face, supervised counseling
50 hours of supervised group counseling
Pass the Indiana Jurisprudence examination.
There is more leeway with the LCAC degree in subject-area specialties. Any master’s or doctorate degree can be in addiction counseling, addiction therapy, or in other related coursework from an accredited program. But, the graduate program must have an emphasis on addiction counseling to be appropriate to the guidelines of the state of Indiana.
Courses and requirements specific to graduate level degrees for an LCAC licensure are as follows:
Theories of addiction counseling
Psychopharmacology
Clinical assessment
Group addiction theory and practice
Diversity in counseling
Psychopathology
Addiction and research methods
Clinical issues
Counseling of addicted families
The ethics, legal, and professional standards prevalent in addiction counseling (two-semesters)
Appraisal and assessment of dysfunction in the individual (two semesters)
700 hours practicum or work in the field (280 hours face-to-face client interaction)
Third-Party Certification for Licensure in Indiana
There is also a process for individuals who may qualify through approval from another state organization recognized by the state of Indiana as being a qualifying organization for prospective counselors in the area of substance abuse.
Some individuals may qualify under the completion of an addiction education program and practicum certified by a state organization such as the following:
Indiana Association for Addiction Professionals
Indiana Counselors Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Indiana Association for Addiction Professionals (APIT program)
Indiana Counselors Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
(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 program ensures that the program meets the highest of quality standards. Many counseling specialties are accredited by the CACREP, including addiction counseling. Accredited addiction 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 addiction 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.
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) Behavioral Health & Human Services Licensing Board
The Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board is an arm of IPLA. The goal of IPLA is to provide licensing opportunities to qualified applicants. The Board focuses its attention on the licensure of mental health professionals. IPLA strives to offer efficient exam processes to all potential licensees, as well as online renewal for current professionals. The Board is responsible for supervising the conduct of existing counseling practices and investigating complaints.
Address
402 W. Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone
(317) 234-2054
Website Address
https://www.in.gov/pla/social.htm
Licensure:
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Licensed Mental Health Counselor - Associate (LMHCA)
Currently, the state gives two degrees of licensure: the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) along with Licensed Clinical Dependence Specialist (LCAC) qualifications. The program to get a chemical abuse certificate begins with a bachelor's level in counseling or an appropriate area. Getting a clinical certification, which supplies wider occupation opportunities like functioning in individual practice, calls for a master's level in a scientific research area.
This summary gives existing details on instructional requirements, the licensing process, as well as additionally where to uncover extra resources and also expert support. Making a postsecondary level is the key action for those who wish to become a counselor in Indiana. The abiding by area reviews the scholastic needs for work as a product misuse specialist, including the number of credit history record hrs, types of coursework, as well as also kept track of strategy that needs to be part of a degree program.
It furthermore makes use of if they hold a legit national accreditation and also have really been exercising in a state that does not call for licensing for dependency therapists. Indiana's Behavioral Health and wellness and also health as well as likewise Human Providers Licensing Board needs accredited substance abuse therapists to keep in addition to restore their licenses biennially. Both the LAC along with LCAC licenses go out in even-numbered years on April 1, with notices sent to license proprietors 90 days before expiration.
Indiana has 2 degrees of licensure for Substance abuse specialists. The very first degree is comprehended as the Licensed Reliance Therapist (LAC) as well as the highest possible rate level is referred to as the Qualified Medical Addiction Therapist (LCAC). Are you interested to discover Addiction and also Substance Therapy education? See schools both local and online that inform you to further come to be a specialist or other sort of specialist in pertinent work areas.
2 years of monitored post-graduate task experience is required. Doctoral teaching fellowship could be attributed. 200 hrs have to be under qualified support; this is to include 100 private supervision hours as well as 100 group assistance human resources. Prospects at either level might select to take either of 2 nation wide acknowledged licensing examinations. A prospect for Certified Reliance Counselor could choose the International Assessment for Alcohol & Medication Specialist (ADC) or the National Licensed Addiction Specialist II (NCAC II).
Out-of-state candidates will sign up with the approved provider yet have in fact prints made on FBI cards as well as also afterwards sent by mail to the vendor for scanning. Under certain circumstances, an out-of-state therapist might be licensed without taking the evaluation. The counselor needs to be credentialed on the basis of evaluation; if the exam was not one that is approved for licensure in Indiana, it must be evaluated dramatically equal.
An Addictions Counselor (AC) is a professional who counsels individuals with substance use disorders. The field of addiction counselors is growing and becoming more recognized each year.
When deciding to get a career as an addictions counselor, there are many choices to make. For instance, there are Associate's Degree programs and Doctorate degrees offered online as well as classroom courses. Before choosing a program, however, it is important to consider the best way to obtain a Master's degree, Doctorate degree, or Doctorate in Counseling (DCC).
An individual can gain the education to become an addiction counselor by first taking a standard online Masters Degree course. Those students that choose to take this route will learn the basics of the Masters Degree and specialize in a certain area. The majority of online Master's degree courses are offered through accredited universities.
After completing an accredited Masters Degree program, the student must take the certification test for DCC. The test consists of three parts. These include:
Part I is where the student must examine their understanding of substance abuse and its impacts. This portion tests how knowledgeable the student is in the areas of peer pressure, substance abuse among teens, substance abuse in the workplace, substance abuse and hospitals, and drug and alcohol counseling.
Part II examines the student's knowledge of clinical cases. This portion tests how much the student has learned about the substance abuse process, how much they know about the signs and symptoms of substance abuse, how much they know about the substance abuse treatment process, and what the student knows about the recovery process.
Part III tests how much the students focus on prevention. Students must study the effects of substance abuse on society, learn the different approaches to substance abuse, and learn how to prevent substance abuse. The final part of the certification exam tests the student's ability to apply this information to real-life situations.
Students who choose to take the Certification Test for DCC must have at least a Bachelor's degree. Students should be aware that the College Board does not administer the test. An accredited school must administer the test.
Each state is responsible for administering the Certification Test for Alcohol and Drug Counselors. However, many of these testing centers are private and only colleges administer these tests. Some schools may offer these tests online; however, you may still need to take the certification test at the testing center in person.
If you decide to pursue the Certified Counselor Examination for DCC, you will spend your first two years studying for the test. You will be required to complete 70 hours of classroom and laboratory coursework. After you complete the course, you will have to pass the Clinical Exam.
Students that enroll in a Masters Degree program in substance abuse must pass the certification test for DCC before they are allowed to take the test. The program itself must include enough classes to allow for an associate's degree. On the other hand, an M.S. does not have to have substance abuse as a focus in order to be approved for the certification exam.
After the two years of study and on the student's progress, he or she will have to take the Certification Test for Substance Abuse Counselors. The students must pass this test in order to be officially certified. licensed to practice.
Counselor Testing & Examination Process
You must pass the ADC administered by the IC&RC or the NCACII exam administered by the NAADAC. The state of Indiana deems either of these exams acceptable for licensure in the state.
For the LAC license, the accepted exam is the NAADAC Level II exam as well as the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam or ADC.
For the LCAC license, applicants must take the NAADAC Master Addiction Counselor exam (MAC) or the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam (AADC).
Each applicant must fill out a state of Indiana application before being approved for any examinations for licensure. Each licensee must have their two years of post-degree substance abuse counseling experience completed before they can apply for the exam.
Out-of-State Licensure Requirements
There are circumstances where anyone who is licensed in a state other than Indiana can be approved for a waiver for the state examination. But, they must show proof that they have passed an equivalent examination in their state in their specific area of study, have practiced at least three years in that state, and they must hold a current license in that state. The candidate must still take the state of Indiana’s jurisprudence exam to prove their knowledge of state laws and rules.
Clinical Supervision Explained
The supervisor must meet the standards of the Indiana state board. The designated supervisor must also meet professional requirements within the skills required of the field in order to assess the knowledge and skill set of the substance abuse counseling trainee for the purpose of improvement that leads to optimal skill within the area being assessed. This includes determining if the trainee is able to work efficiently and effectively with a client in the field.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Licenses in the state of Indiana expire in April of an even-numbered year of when the license was issued.
There is no grace period for licenses after April 1st. This is when a late fee of $50 will automatically be issued.
Anyone who holds an expired license of longer than 3 years will have to fill out a new application. This must include an explanation as to why the license expired, proof of at least 40 hours of continuing education in the last two years, and a $100 fee for reinstatement of the licensure.
Lapsed license can include one or both of the following actions: an in-person interview or a re-taking of the national exam
Continuing Education
40 hours are needed to for renewal of either license (LAC or LCAC)
These hours are equal to 20 continuing education credits (CEUs)
The renewal period is April 1st – March 31st of even-numbered years
A mandatory requirement of continuing education is taking at least one hour of ethics
If you are a newer license holder of less than three years, then a minimum of 20 hours is required for renewal
If you are a license holder of less than a year, no continuing education is required.
Category I CEUs are needed per licensure cycle and fall into the following categories: workshops, symposiums, seminars, home study courses that need to be accredited by the state of Indiana and other associated organizations within the field of study.
Any college courses from accredited higher education entities will count as 15 CEUs for each academic semester as they are completed.
Any teaching in the related subject areas count as 1 ½ CEUs for each hour taught at an accredited higher education institution.
Professional development related to clinical in-service counts as 1 CEU for each hour.
Research and published research in a related professional journal counts as 10 CEUs.
Holding a position on a board or commission related to the field earns 1 CEU for each hour served.
For anyone who has “retired” their license and wants to pursue a renewal, there are specific time amounts of continuing education hours and time frames for those hours depending upon how long your license was retired:
0-3 years is 20hours of continuing education completed in one year’s time
3-6 years is 40 hours of continuing education completed in two years’ time
6-10 years is 60 hours of continuing education completed in three years’ time
10 years or more in retirement has requirements set by the state governing board to determine hours and time frame for completion.
Potential Counselor Career Path Options
Addiction Counselor
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor
Behavioral Health Specialist
Certified Addiction Drug and Alcohol Counselor
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Mental Health Counselor
School Counselor
Substance Abuse Counselor
Associations & Organizations
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
The Indiana Association for Addiction Professionals
Indiana Credentialing Association
Indiana Counselors Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA)