Kentucky
What does an Addiction Counselor in Kentucky do? What is Their Job Role?
Nationally the role of substance abuse counselor falls within the field of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors and focuses primarily on addressing addiction issues. Drug and alcohol addiction are the primary behaviors treated by substance abuse counselors and because the addiction problem is growing the need for counselors is also on the rise. While the national job growth outlook is at eight percent the Bureau of Labor Statistics states the projected employment for counselors will grow 23 percent between 2016 and 2026. In Kentucky it is much higher, with a projected need for counselors at a robust 42.2 percent over the next decade.
Job Description
While the national annual median wage for substance abuse counselors in 2017 was $43,300 in Kentucky it is slightly lower at $39,070. This is actually a positive aspect because the cost of living in Kentucky is lower than most states and balances the difference in annual mean wages.
Substance abuse counselors are licensed and certified at a state level so to practice in Kentucky you must meet state requirements. That being said, each state must meet national standards in order to be eligible to receive federal funding and most states require certification or licensure for a facility or program to receive state funding. Likewise, most insurance companies will not cover programs unless the practitioners are certified, licensed, or accredited by the state regulations.
Because of these factors you should know the state licensure requirements before you begin your formal education to become a substance abuse counselor in Kentucky. By having a clear path to follow you can avoid potential roadblocks and make a smooth transition into your counseling career.
Overview
In Kentucky substance abuse counselors are certified and licensed as alcohol and drug counselor by the State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC). Kentucky has two credentials: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). Each credential has specific educational, clinical, and testing criteria that must be met before you earn the title.
Once you become a substance abuse counselor your education will not end. To maintain your credential, you'll be required to renew periodically and take specific continuing education courses in the interim.
Because substance abuse counseling is a high "burnout" occupation it's a good idea to advance your career in steps while continuing your education. By entering the field via an internship while earning your bachelor’s degree you can get a clear idea of the area in which you would like to specialize, and you can then concentrate your Master's degree or Doctorate in that specialized area. This will give you the benefit of being focused on a career area you truly enjoy and will hopefully prevent burnout once you begin your long-term career.
Kentucky Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors
The licensure standards for Kentucky closely follow those set forth by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (IC&RC). A standard requirement is that you must be a Kentucky resident in order to apply for certification. Here are the two types of licensure and the basic requirements for each:
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) criteria:
Pass a criminal background test
Minimum education of bachelor’s degree with 270 semester hours including 30 hours in each of the following:
Professional Responsibility
Counseling
Case Management
Client education
Assessment
Six hours of face-to-face (not online) ethics training
Three hours of domestic violence training
Two hours training in the prevention, transmission, control, and treatment of HIV
6000 hours of supervised AODA work with substance abuse clients in the following 12 core areas, with a minimum of 10 hours in each area:
Screening
Intake
Orientation
Assessment
Treatment Planning
Counseling
Case Management
Crisis Intervention
Client Education
Referral
Reports and Record Keeping
Consultation
Pass the Substance Abuse Exam
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) criteria:
Pass a criminal background test
Earn a master’s degree or higher in behavioral science with clinical application in one of three ways:
Master's degree in 60 semester hours
Advanced placement master’s degree in 30 semester hours
Doctoral degree
Plus:
180 semester hours of substance abuse coursework
Six hours face-to-face (not online) ethics training
Three hours of domestic violence training
Two hours training in the prevention, transmission, control, and treatment of HIV
2000 hours of experience including a minimum 300 hours under direct supervision
Pass the advanced’ level examination
Education Requirements
All educational requirements except the ethics requirements may be earned via online coursework if desired. While there are no specific degree subject requirements for the CADC the LCADC does require a Master's in a Behavioral Science field, so it's a good plan to begin your education with that in mind. Substance abuse counseling programs may be titled as addiction counseling, Masters in Addiction Studies, or a similar title; you should verify your program meets the state requirements before you enroll.
Kentucky does not require accreditation for licensure but it's a good idea to choose an accredited school in case you choose to practice in a different state in the future. Kentucky does accept accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) specifically for opioid treatment programs.
For certification you'll need to take the specific coursework as outline previously. Because the LCADC certification requires at least a Master's in a Behavioral Science field if you begin your education with a bachelor’s degree you should choose a course of study that will transition into a master's or doctoral program in a Behavioral Science field.
Here are examples of the types of courses you'll need to take:
Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology
Psychological Evaluations and Assessments
Diagnosis of Chemical or Behavioral Dependency
Addiction Psychology and Sociology
Group and Individual Counseling
Contemporary Topics in Substance Abuse
Treatment Methods for Drug or Alcohol Abuse
In addition, you should plan to take computer courses that will enable you to complete the paperwork and documentation required to maintain files on each client.
Your bachelor's and master's degrees will each require an internship. You should choose an internship that will also give you credit for supervised experience as required for your state certification as this will shorten the time to become certified.
CACREP Accredited Online 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.
Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
The Kentucky Board of Professional Counselors serves the purpose of regulating the counseling industry to meet the needs of, and protect, consumers. The Board evaluates the eligibility of candidates, issuing professional counseling licenses to qualified individuals. In Kentucky, this regulatory board also advises legislating bodies on possible changes to established laws. Complaints toward licensees are met with formal hearings conducted by the board, prosecuting when deemed necessary.
Address
911 Leawood Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone
(502) 564-3296
Website Address
http://lpc.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Licensure:
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA)
Kentucky has 2 main levels of qualification for Chemical abuse Treatment in addition to a selection of field of know-how certifications also. The certification is referred to as the Qualified Alcohol as well as Drug Specialist (CADC). Listed here you will absolutely find the demands for qualification. Are you interested to uncover Dependence and additionally Product Counseling education? See colleges both local as well as online who enlighten to further end up being a therapist or other sort of professional in linked profession areas.
A Bachelor's degree calls for 4000 hrs. A Master's degree calls for only 2000 hrs. This experience has to be operating within the 12 Core Features: Evaluating; Intake; Placing; Evaluation; Therapy Prep Work; Therapy; Situation Management; Situation Intervention; Client Education; Reference; Reports as well as File Maintaining; Assessment. You will definitely need 300 hours of support from a certified supervisor and also this requires to consist of a minimum of 10 hrs of guidance throughout run in each of the 12 Core Attributes.
Kentucky alcohol as well as medicine counselors are licensed by the Kentucky Board of Qualification of Alcohol as well as Drug Therapist, under the banner of the public Defense Wardrobe. Accreditation is based upon education and learning along with supervised methods along with an examination process. There is one credential, Accredited Alcohol as well as Medication Therapist. Prospects can acquire the qualification quicker if they have a graduate degree or a bachelor's level in a pertinent location.
Education needs to manage the core attributes of an alcohol in addition to medication counselors. These consist of the following: therapy, screening, intake, placing, assessment, therapy planning, record and document maintaining, situation tracking, appointment with numerous other specialists, dilemma treatment, client education, along with recommendation. At the minimum 135 education hours should relate particularly to alcohol as well as also medication therapy.
Education and learning might contain workshops, seminars, and in-service. Prospects who complete their education by means of approved universities and colleges might connect one term hr as fifteen course human resources. Credit score can be provided for authoring jobs relevant to reliance therapy. Magazine of a magazine phase can be associated as 10 hrs; magazine of an article in a refereed specialist journal can be associated as 15 human resources.
At the very least 300 hrs must be under straight assistance. The professional manager requires to be a licensed alcohol and also medicine therapist that has in fact built up no less than 2 years of post-certification experience. A minimum of 200 human resources of medical supervision need to be carried out in person. The staying hrs might be performed with conferencing or video conferencing.
Group supervision sessions merit. A qualified alcohol along with medication counselor should pass the International Accreditation Reciprocity Consortium on Alcohol Addiction in addition to Medicine Misuse (IC & RC) examination. There is a $150 cost for written analysis; a prospect who falls short an evaluation attempt will definitely require to send an application for re-examination as well as pay an added $150.
The supervisor( s) will absolutely examine the candidate. 2 letters of recommendation are additionally needed. They ought to stem from certified alcohol along with medicine counselors. A candidate that responds to "yes" to possibly disqualifying problems concerning authorized or professional background will be asked to supply sustaining documents. There is a $50 application cost. This does not include the cost for initial certification.
Drug abuse specialists help people who have problems with alcohol in addition to drug dependencies. These professionals generally make use of specific therapy approaches in addition to team therapy to lead people on their road to recovery. Counselors may in addition affix customers with outdoors resources in addition to assist them with occupation searches. Prospects uncovering just how to come to be a therapist needs to examine their state's particular needs.
The areas below also go over credential reciprocity in addition to professional companies linked to chemical abuse. Kentucky keeps education and also experiences needs for drug abuse specialists. Leads for licensure need to hold a marginal degree along with having in fact completed particular coursework and additionally a minimal variety of medical human resources. These facets prepare learners for Kentucky counseling setups.
Kentucky asks for CADC candidates to have really finished 300 supervised clinical hours under an ADC-approved supervisor. Candidates require to additionally have at the very the very least 6,000 hrs of job experience in the self-control. Nevertheless, ADC could lower this number for candidates with particular degrees. Moreover, applicants can meet these hrs using any type of type of activities related to drug abuse therapist jobs, consisting of volunteer jobs.
Once you decide that a career as a drug counselor is right for you, you need to find out how to become a drug counselor in Kentucky. While each state has different state rules that govern what courses and/or training are required for licensure, many people do not know how to become a drug counselor in Kentucky. Here is some information to help you learn how to become a drug counselor in Kentucky.
First, you must complete an accredited program that will show that you have met certain criteria, specifically with regard to teaching and research. You will need to demonstrate your ability to teach through research as well as an ability to apply the knowledge you have gained through research to practice as a drug counselor. Some schools offer research projects. These courses will generally require you to have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
After completing your accredited programs, you will take the General Counselors Education and Certification Examination. This exam is open to anyone who is practicing as a professional counselor, but you must be licensed to work as a medical counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist. This means that your state of licensing must be the same as your field of study.
Once you meet the licensure requirements for your state, you can get your state-specific certification. Most states do not allow residents of other states to become a certified counselor without having met their own state's requirements.
Once you have your state-specific license, you can apply for a practical training program that will help you learn how to become a drug counselor in Kentucky. Each state requires that its counselors have specific training that is only available through such programs.
While the most basic of these will typically be relatively similar across all states, some of the school counselor requirements are very specific. Some states will only permit the addition of additional curriculums, such as nursing, if the course is approved by the state. In order to receive an alcohol and drug abuse prevention certificate in Kentucky, for example, the course has to be approved by the state.
Depending on your state, the state regulations regarding various treatment options and the procedures that the counselor must follow, may also vary from one state to another. For instance, some states do not require the counselor to have any experience in addiction counseling, while others do. If the counselor is to work in a group setting, they will also need to be approved for the type of employment.
The various state laws on drug and alcohol use vary from state to state. Depending on the type of work that is required, and on what kinds of resources are available, these rules may change. In addition, different states have their own rules about how counselors are supposed to work with individuals who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
The biggest problem that a counselor will face when working in a state that is more conservative than they are used to dealing with is that the clientele are more conservative than the clients. Many people simply assume that counselors will not be willing to get to know their clients enough to be able to talk to them about their particular problems.
Since public school counselors are not given the freedom that is granted to doctors and nurses, they must adhere to the rules of their state. This means that they have to adopt and follow the rules of the state they are working in, and it also means that they may be required to get on-the-job training. Many places may require an internship in a private facility, or they may require a course in which the counselor must become proficient in the language of the state where they will be working.
The schools for drug and alcohol counseling are a good place to begin your search for schools for drug and alcohol counseling. There is a lot of flexibility in the types of subjects that are taught, and in the types of programs offered.
The best courses for you to choose are those that will help you increase your knowledge about the subject. while giving you experience in classes that will allow you to make decisions about someone's future.
Counselor Testing & Examination Process
Kentucky has four application deadlines and four written exam dates per year. Your first step will be to complete the application process, which can be submitted online through the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors website. The current fee schedule as of 2018 is as follows:
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Application Fee $50.00 (due at the time of application)
Licensure Written Exam Fee $200.00
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Issuance Fee $300.00
Your application will be reviewed by the Board so you should apply at least 10 days before the next scheduled Board meeting. You should receive a reply within two weeks of the meeting stating whether or not your application has been approved. If your application is approved you'll also be notified of the testing location, time, and other pertinent information regarding your licensure exam.
Your exam scores will take up to three weeks and will be sent via postal delivery. If you pass the exam you'll receive an approval notice and a request for the initial Licensure fee. Once the fee is received by the Board they will issue you a license number.
Clinical Supervision Explained
Clinical supervision means you'll be working as a counselor while under the direct guidance of a LCADC licensed professional. In Kentucky supervision must be approved by the Board in advance, and the supervisor must be trained and registered as such with the state.
Your clinical supervisor will document your supervision on a daily basis to record your hours for the state requirements. You will basically be working as a substance abuse counselor and your supervisor will keep a log of the hours they oversaw to verify you are meeting the licensure requirement. This is a vital step to verify while you are completing your internship as you can accumulate experience hours while still earning your degree.
Renewal and Continuing Education
In Kentucky you'll need to renew your substance abuse counselor certification every three years. In the interim you are required to take 60 hours of continuing education classes, three of which must be training in ethics and six hours in suicide assessment, treatment, and management. Half of the total hours may be taken via distance learning (online) and at least half must be live face-to-face education. All continuing education must be board approved; the following organizations are pre-approved by the board for continuing education:
The National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) and its member boards;
The International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC);
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse and its subcontractors;
The Kentucky School of Alcohol and Drug Studies;
An Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC);
State or United States Regional Addiction Training Institute
Clinical Applications of the Principles on Treatment of Addictions and Substance Abuse (CAPTASA)
It's important to note that continuing education hours can be accumulated in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:
Academic credits are based on one credit hour equaling 15 continuing education hours
Teaching a program or academic course earns two continuing education hours for each contact hour of instruction
Five continuing education hours are awarded for each published abstract or book review in a refereed journal
10 continuing education hours are awarded for each book chapter or monograph
15 continuing education hours are awarded for each published article in a refereed journal
20 continuing education hours are awarded for each published book
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
As soon as you begin your education as a Kentucky substance abuse counselor you should consider joining one or more professional organizations. Because many people support the development of newcomers to the field you'll find support and resources that will be invaluable to your education and career. Mentorship, peer support, and online courses are just a few of the options you'll find when joining associations. Here are a few that are available to Kentucky counselors:
The National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
Kentucky Association of Addiction Professionals
The Kentucky Counseling Association (KCA)
Kentucky Mental Health Counselors Association
The International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors
National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers