Montana

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


If your dream is to become a substance abuse counselor in Montana you've made a smart choice. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) job growth for counselors is projected to grow an astounding 20.2 percent over the next 10 years so you should be in high demand.


This high occupational growth is due to several reasons. The growing opiate epidemic is taking its toll on the general populace, and the legal system is turning to treatment plans instead of incarceration in an effort to reduce recidivism. In addition, the healthcare industry is recognizing the need to provide coverage for mental health, especially as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement years.


The median annual income for substance abuse counselors in Montana is $41,050 and the highest earning 10 percent reported $63,330 annual income. Although this is slightly lower than the national numbers Montana enjoys a lower cost of living than most areas, making it about par. Billings, Montana has the fifth highest concentration of counseling jobs in the country.


Overview


Substance abuse counselors in Montana are licensed by the Department of Labor and Industry. There is one professional credential, the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) as well as a clinical supervisor credential.


Montana is one of the few states that accept an associate's degree for the required level of education. In addition to your degree you'll need to meet other educational requirements as well as clinical supervised work experience in specific areas of the field. Applications for licensure are handled by the Department of Labor and Industry. Once your application is approved you'll be notified by the testing agency as to the date, time, and place of your exam.


One of your requirements for licensure is to work for a specific period of time under the direction of a clinical supervisor. This is a person who has their license as well as experience and specific training to help others become substance abuse counselors.


Once you've passed the exam and earned your credential you'll be required to renew periodically. While your license is valid you must take continuing education courses before renewal will be granted.


Professional organizations will be an important aspect of your success in earning both your degree and credential. By joining one or more organizations you will have access to all the latest information on your chosen profession as well as opportunities to network with others in the field.


Montana Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors


As mentioned previously, there is only one level of licensure in Montana: the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). Here are the requirements to earn the credential:

Earn at minimum an associate's degree in a Behavior Science field with an addiction treatment clinical application from an accredited institution.


270 clock hours of approved education specific to substance abuse as follows:


  • 30 hours in Addiction Assessment

  • 45 hours in Addiction Counseling

  • 15 hours Addiction Treatment

  • 6 hours in Alcohol and Drug Counselor Ethics

  • 30 hours Alcohol and Drug Studies

  • 12 hours of Multi-cultural Competency

  • 12 hours in Pharmacology

  • Planning and Documentation

  • 120 related hours in classes of your choice


1000 hours (approximately six months full-time employment) clinical supervised experience. You will need experience in 11 skill areas with specific hours worked in each area as follows:


  • Assessment and patient placement - 100 hours

  • Case management - 50 hours

  • Client education - 35 hours

  • Documentation - 35 hours

  • Ethical and professional responsibility - 10 hours

  • Group counseling - 100 hours

  • Individual counseling - 60 hours

  • Multicultural competency - 10 hours

  • Referrals - 20 hours

  • Screening - 30 hours

  • Treatment planning - 50 hours


Education Requirements


Although you can enter the field with an associate's degree it must be specific. Here are the criteria for degrees:


  • Associate's degree in alcohol and drug studies, addiction, or substance abuse

  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in alcohol and drug studies, psychology, sociology, social work, or counseling


All degrees must be from an accredited college or university.


It's important that you verify your coursework meets the criteria set by the Board before you enroll so you can finish your degree and educational requirements in a timely manner.


If you choose to earn your bachelor’s degree you should verify your internship or practicum qualifies for the clinical supervised work experience required for your LAC.


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.


Department of Labor and Industry

Board of Behavioral Health


The Montana Board of Behavioral Health is on a mission to “protect the health, safety, and well-being” of Montana’s citizens. Members of the Board are appointed by the Governor and must be confirmed by the Montana Senate. The Board regulates and oversees the licensing and practices of all fields of counseling in the state. On their website, the Board strives to keep relevant content updated pertaining to current licensure requirements and professional regulations.


Address

301 S. Park, 4th Floor

P.O. Box 200513

Helena, MT 59620


Phone

(406) 444-5773


Website Address

http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/bbh


Licensure:

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC)


Montana dependence counselors are regulated by the Certified Addiction Counselors Program of the Montana Department of Labor & Field. Credentialing as an Accredited Reliance Counselor (LAC) is based on education, exam, and also takes care of method. There were some modifications to the needs in 2013. Capella College supplies an on the web MS in Addiction Investigates as well as a PhD in Addiction Psychology.


The Accredited Addiction Therapist (LAC) credential is given to those people that please the requirements of the Montana Department of Labor in addition to Industry (DLI) as well as likewise the Board of Behavioral Health and wellness and wellness for licensure. The University of Montana does not give the credential, yet it provides training courses that will certainly help to fulfill the educational requirements of the state of Montana.


AA level in chemical dependency/ reliance researches, BSW (or associated Bachelor's degree), or MSW (or related Master's degree) Details coursework taken at the College of Montana, at various other universities, with accredited on the net courses, in-service training, or webinars. The complying with 330 hrs of coursework are called for in the particular groups (conditional pending customized demands).


Drug abuse therapists aid individuals taking care of addiction recognize the factors of their product abuse. They create strategies to aid customers stay away from medicine usage and also avoid regressions. Although substance abuse counselors in different states perform similar work responsibilities, each state establishes numerous needs for licensure. In Montana, accredited addiction counselors (LACs) offer sought-after treatment solutions.


Material misuse therapists in all states require a permit to practice. In this area, you can find extra worrying Montana's education and learning and additionally experience requirements, in addition to usual coursework trainees total at the associate as well as likewise bachelor's levels. Prior to you start gaining education and learning as well as also experience, examine the BBH web site to identify if licensure demands have modified since this article's writing.


In Montana, chemical dependency therapist preparation work programs, pupils complete coursework in sociology, pharmacology in addictions, and also betting along with video pc gaming problems basically abuse counseling, among others subjects. Bachelor's as well as master's programs highlight research strategy, and master's programs might include useful practicum experiences, which all accredited Montana treatment professionals call for. Associate as well as bachelor's programs prepare students to pass the National Qualified Dependence Specialist (NCAC) I or II test.


The Montana BBH requires that striving drug abuse counselors fill two considerable experience landmarks. Initially, candidates finish a minimum of 330 get in touch with hours functioning directly with customers in chemical dependency, treatment, pharmacology, as well as likewise treatment preparation. Second, prospects finish an added 1,000 hrs of monitored experience at in-state treatment centers. Potential customers have 4 years to get this required experience.


Potential customers can pass any kind of complying with tests: To sit for the NCAC I exam, prospects must have a senior high school diploma along with at least 6,000 hours of supervised experience, 3 times the amount the Montana specialist board calls for. The NCAC II test needs a bachelor's level to basically abuse conditions, 10,000 human resources of monitored experience, and additionally passing ratings on the NCAC I test.


The company's web site flaunts valuable resources conveniently available to both members and nonmembers. A division of the NAADAC, MAADAC brings with each other the state's compound abuse specialists. University student members get both NAADAC and MAADAC sources, including adequate suggestions on how to wind up being a counselor. Montana's chemical reliance board manages licensure for the state's drug abuse counselors.


A department of the Montana state federal government, this dependence facility provides clinical remedies to state residents having problems with dependence. This web page has important information on just exactly how Montana chemical abuse therapists do their work. Counselors-in-training getting ready for careers in state government can use this source to reveal the most as much as day employment opportunities.


Becoming an addiction counselor is a career choice that has great advantages over other career choices. Being an addiction counselor can offer the opportunity to help people overcome their addictions in a loving, non-judgmental environment.


Many people think that being an addiction counselor means you have to be a drug or alcohol addict to get into this type of substance abuse counseling. There are addiction counselors that are not addicts and the majority of these counselors have never even had a drug or alcohol addiction. A variety of other professional positions exist for individuals who have never been drug or alcohol dependent.


Becoming an addiction counselor can be a very rewarding and fulfilling career for anyone who is able to deal with addicts and substance abusers. These counselors are trained to help people overcome their addictions and problems and most counselors will also be able to offer other treatment programs for those who want help with their problems and are looking for help.


It is important to realize that becoming a counselor does not mean you have to be a drug addict. There are counselors who work with children and addiction counselors who work with people who have alcohol problems. Addiction counselors work with people from all walks of life, including those who are drug addicts.


Most counselors work with individuals who are addicted to different types of drugs or alcohol and this means that you may have to work with people who have a substance abuse problem. Most addiction counselors are not addicted and this is important to know before you start looking for a career. An addiction counselor is someone who will be able to help people overcome their addictions and problems.


The first step to becoming an addiction counselor is to become certified as a counselor. Becoming certified will allow you to practice as a counselor but you must not become a counselor and take on a case as a case manager or work as a therapist. The counselor you will become is more interested in helping the client to overcome their addictions and problems rather than working with them in some capacity as a therapist or psychologist. Once you are certified, you will be able to take on more challenging cases as a counselor.


Another important thing to know when you are trying to decide on the type of addiction counseling career that is right for you is to know that the type of addiction counseling that you are interested in will be the type that is taught in a program that you will be able to complete. Complete in order to be certified. The counseling programs that are available will be in various lengths and you will want to choose one that you can complete in a reasonable amount of time.


As you are choosing a program you will want to make sure that the counselor is willing to work with you and will be willing to go over the information that you are providing with you. A counselor who is willing to get to know you and how you work will be an asset to your success in your new career. This person will be your lifeline in your addiction counseling career. As a counselor you will be an asset to your clients and you will be able to help them overcome their addictions and problems.


The main benefit of becoming an addictions counselor is that you will have the opportunity to work in a very challenging environment. Many counselors will be able to work with people who are addicted to alcohol, prescription drugs, prescription painkillers, cocaine, heroin, meth, and even alcohol. There are counselors who work with people who are addicted to various kinds of food like steroids, cocaine, and the list goes on.


Many addiction counselors work in clinics and work with people to help them overcome their addictions in their everyday lives. Some counselors work in hospitals and help to help people who are addicted to certain kinds of medication. When you are working with addicts, you will also be dealing with some of the hardest people on earth and you will want to be sure that you will be able to handle this emotionally and professionally.


You should be aware of the different types of addiction counseling and which type of counselor will work best for your needs. You will want to choose a counselor who is willing to listen to you and help you find solutions for your problems. An addiction counselor will be someone that can help you learn more about your problems and help you with your problems so that you will be able to get on the road to recovery and move forward in your life.


Addiction Counselor Testing & Examination Process in Montana


You will download your LAC credential application from the Licensed Addiction Counselor Program section of the BSD. Besides your personal information you will need:


  • Official transcripts from all coursework

  • Weekly time sheets from your clinical supervisor

  • Fee of $250

  • Fingerprint and background check


Although you will send your official transcripts you will also be required to list the individual coursework you've taken to show you have met the Board requirements for education. Likewise, your clinical supervisor or supervisors will be required to indicate that you have completed the specific hours required for each of the 11 skill areas as designated in the experience portion of your training.


Applications are usually processed within 30 days. Once approved you will be contacted via mail by the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) with details on the time, date, and location you are scheduled to take the NAADAC Level I Exam.


The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice, objective questions and focuses on eight areas of expertise:


  • Treatment admission (screening, intake and orientation)

  • Clinical assessment

  • Ongoing treatment planning

  • Counseling services (individual, group, family, crisis intervention and client education)

  • Documentation

  • Case management

  • Discharge and continuing care

  • Legal, ethical and professional growth issues


There are three hours allowed for the exam and it will test your knowledge in the areas of:


  • Counseling practice (40%)

  • Pharmacology of psychoactive substances (30%)

  • Theoretical base of counseling (15%)

  • Professional issues related to Substance Use Disorder treatment (15%)


Your exam results will be sent directly to the BSD, which will then award your LAC credential.


Clinical Supervision Explained


Clinical supervision is your work experience training in specific areas of substance abuse counseling. A clinical supervisor in Montana must hold a LAC credential for a minimum of three years in a qualified treatment setting before they are allowed to train others.


A clinical supervisor holds a four-way role: teacher, mentor, consultant, and coach. They are trained to help new counselors develop all of their skills on a three-level system. For example, if your documentation skills are at Level one and your individual counseling skills are at Level three you will need more help with documentation to bring all your skills to Level three simultaneously.


A clinical supervisor in Montana is also tasked with logging your experience hours every week to ensure you meet the 1000-hour requirement. They will transfer this information to your application when you are ready for your LAC and will verify on the application that they were your clinical supervisor and you performed the required work in a satisfactory manner.


Renewal and Continuing Education


In Montana your LAC expires every year between May 1 and June 30. Your license may be renewed online and must be renewed for you to continue meeting your legal obligation to the board. During the year your license is valid you will need to complete 20 hours of continuing education. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry maintains a list of acceptable continuing education courses each year and the list may be downloaded from the MDL website. Coursework from NAADAC is also accepted.


You should plan on making continuing education a monthly habit throughout the year, so you won't have to scramble during the month before your license expires. By accumulating two or three hours a month you can easily make the 20-hour requirement. All continuing education hour requirements can be taken either online or face-to-face.


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


You should plan to join one or more professional organizations as soon as you begin your education. Associations dedicated to substance abuse professionals have extensive benefits to members such as mentorship and networking opportunities. You will also benefit from the latest professional news, changes in legislation that may affect your career, and opportunities for advocacy.


Most professional organizations offer continuing education classes as well as discounts on books and other professional materials. You can find current schedules for conferences, seminars, workshops, and other educational platforms as well as job boards.


Many professional associations also maintain social media accounts and are a great way to network with peers on a daily basis. Once you join your professional organizations you'll be able to utilize all the benefits that meet your personal needs.


  • Montana Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors

  • Montana Association for Addiction Professionals

  • The International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors

  • The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

  • National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers