Oklahoma

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


As you near the end of your college education, it’s time to begin thinking of, and planning for your career as a substance abuse counselor. In Oklahoma, as in every state in the country, you’ll be required to take and pass an exam for licensure.


Overview


Once you begin practicing, your educational endeavors will continue. Oklahoma, like every state in the U.S., requires its substance abuse counselors, as well as other professionals, to keep their education and knowledge current. This means their licenses to practice will expire every 24 months. To remain eligible to work as a substance abuse counselor, you need to take required continuing education classes, keep track of these, then provide certifications from these classes as proof that your CE hours are up to date.


As you seek out continuing education classes, remember that they need to be approved by the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. These classes are required to help you with several functions you carry out in your daily work.


You’ll be supervised regularly by a clinical supervisor. This person won’t be in your office during every hour that you are counseling. Your clinical supervisor has specific goals in mind as they work with you.


You’ll need to find other substance abuse counseling professionals you can network with. Having a membership in professional organizations helps you to connect with other counselors, learn how they do their work and increase your professional visibility.


Education requirements


When you decide you want a career as a substance abuse counselor, you’ll need to take university or college classes that educate you about this profession. You’ll be entering a mental health and counseling field.


You’ll need to take mental health, counseling and ethics courses. Don’t forget about courses in multicultural sensitivity and competency, either.


The university of your choice should have programs designed for your interests. Your courses will teach you about the dynamics that fuel addiction to various substances.


You’ll also learn about mental health conditions which, when combined with substance abuse, are known as “co-occurring” or “co-morbid” disorders.


Once you earn your bachelor’s degree, you may decide to go straight into classes to earn your master’s degree. If so, once you graduate, you can take the licensure exam for the licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or LADC. At some schools, you may be able to earn a master’s in a related discipline, then request dual licensure.


The courses you take in college will allow you to become a knowledgeable and well-rounded professional. You’ll be well equipped to work with clients who suffer from addiction and their family members.


In Oklahoma, two licensing levels for addiction counselors exist. The first is the Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) and the second is the Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor (LADC).


Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor Education (CADC)


As a CADC, you must hold a master’s degree in alcohol and substance abuse counseling. You have to finish 300 practicum hours of supervised professional training in the 12 core functions. Have a supervision plan and agreement with a board-approved supervisor. Complete 4,000 hours of AODA professional employment, under supervision.


Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor (LADC)


If you are an LADC, you should have all of the above requirements, plus: Passing the IC&RC AADC exam (this is an international credentialing exam). You need to have 2,000 hours of AODA professional employment under board approved supervision. You probably noticed that the CADC has a higher level of requirements—this is because the licensure is at a higher level.


Behavioral health case managers also work with individuals who are addicted to substances. If you are a case manager, you may work in the office or in your clients’ homes. You may also work within a substance abuse facility.


You’ll work with your clients, developing a wraparound plan that brings together all the services an individual client may need. Your biggest goal in working with your clients is to help your client reach the goals they have established so they can stay in active recovery.


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.


State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure (BBHL)


The Oklahoma BBHL was created to protect the public. The Board promotes and enforces regulations that govern the practice of mental health professionals in Oklahoma. They are responsible for overseeing Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Behavioral Practitioners. The BBHL provides licensure, supervision, continuing education, and complaint processing to the mental health industry.


Address

3815 N. Santa Fe

Suite 110

Oklahoma City, OK 73118


Phone

(405) 522-3696


Website Address

https://www.ok.gov/behavioralhealth/


Licensure:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)


Oklahoma has 2 different degrees of safeguarded titles for Substance Abuse Counselors. The first degree is called the Certified Alcohol Medication Therapist (CADC) along with the second degree is referred to as the Accredited Alcohol Medicine Specialist (LADC). Each degree has its very own needs in regards to instructional accomplishment required, experience required along with screening.


Oklahoma product abuse therapists are credentialed by the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol along with Medicine Therapists. Credentialing is based upon education, monitored strategy, along with composed as well as dental assessment. There are multiple levels of credentialing. A Qualified Alcohol in addition to Drug Specialist (CADC) has education and learning at the bachelor's level; an Accredited Alcohol as well as additionally Medicine Counselor has education and learning as well as learning at the master's level.


A person has to go to least 21 to hold licensing or qualification. Capella University gives an online MS in Dependency Study Studies as well as a PhD in Addiction Psychology. Capella College likewise provides 3 online CACREP-accredited programs: MS in Scientific Mental Wellness Treatment, MS in College Therapy, and additionally PhD in Therapist Education As well as Discovering in addition to Support, in addition to a COAMFTE-accredited program, MS in Marital Partnership as well as Family Members Therapy.


A CADC must hold a bachelor's degree in an appropriate behavior scientific research or counseling area. The degree ought to originate from an establishment that holds accreditation through some entity recognized by the Council on University or the UNITED STATE Division of Education And Learning And Learning. Before making an application to the Board, the candidate will certainly require a total 45 clock hrs of education and finding out that addresses co-occurring issues and also the reference procedure.


The CADC will certainly complete 300 hours of monitored alcohol along with medicine therapy practice. The prospect has to contend with at least 2 years of monitored work experience; the Board defines this as 4,000 hrs. At the minimum half the calls for work experience human resources must be spent in straight customer contact. The supervisee will acquire a human resources a week of guidance.


A Qualified Alcohol and also Medicine Therapist needs to have a master's degree basically misuse therapy or a level considered similar. A treatment or behavioral science master's might be taken into consideration content-equivalent if it consists of 3 training programs in the therapy and likewise examination of drug as well as alcohol troubles and one course in each of the following: Medication as well as alcoholism Alcohol and also medication therapy theory Pharmacology (as it connects with medicine misuse) Human growth Psychopathology House systems concept Idea of dependency in the family Treatment of homes with addiction Cultural skills troubles Research research study technique Principles Practicum (300 hrs) Classes may be 3 term hrs or 4 quarter humans resources.


To match different prospects, the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and additionally Medicine Therapists supply two sort of credentials, each with different requirements. The complying with info information what prospects require to make the LADC as well as the CADC, covering academic, coursework, and practicum demands. Depending on the state as well as type of treatment, the occupation can require various levels of education as well as learning and additional self-controls.


Needing a specific strategy makes it possible for the Oklahoma Therapist Board to make certain that candidates have among the most ideal training. For the advanced LADC, each prospect needs a master's degree. Like the CADC, this degree should be found in the particular area of alcohol as well as compound misuse therapy areas or something similar.


If you want to work as an addiction counselor in Oklahoma, it will be necessary for you to complete a certification program in this field of counseling. You may be able to work on these areas as a therapist without any formal education in this area, but it will certainly help if you are trained for this particular job.


The first requirement for you to become a counselor in Oklahoma is to take the qualifying exam provided by the Oklahoma Board of Alcohol and Drug Services. In order to get into the program, you must score over 70 percent on this test. However, there are a number of reasons why you may be unable to score as high as this mark.


The requirements for becoming substance abuse counselors in Oklahoma include not only passing the board examination but also passing a number of tests designed to determine your mental competency and ability to counsel effectively. You should make sure that you are aware of the different tests to see if they are going to affect your eligibility for certification.


Some states require their certified counselors to be licensed before they can be considered for employment as counselors. This licensing requirements for Oklahoma counselors are very similar to those in other states and are based on a number of factors, including the type of treatment being offered and the time period that it takes to complete the program.


The next requirement for you to become a counselor in Oklahoma is to have a minimum of two years of experience working with the alcohol and substance abuse problems that are faced by the state's population. Those who have served as counselors before may be able to obtain a waiver based upon their past experience with the state's treatment facilities. However, if you are new to the field, it is essential that you are able to show that you have worked with many of the facilities in the state before you can be considered for a position.


After completing all the training that is required to become a counselor, it is important to acquire the proper education to be successful in your work. You can take courses that will provide you with the knowledge needed to run a counseling practice in Oklahoma. These classes will include both general counseling techniques and programs that will teach you specific methods of dealing with specific issues. For example, in the case of people struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction, one of the things that you may be taught is the concept of cognitive behavioral therapy.


You must be licensed to work as a counselor in Oklahoma before you are allowed to practice in that state. You will need to meet certain criteria to get a license, such as taking a course in the specific area that you have been chosen to work in.


It is important for you to take the time to become certified as a substance abuse counselor in Oklahoma so that you are able to provide the care that the people of the state are needing. Many people in this position are able to provide a valuable service for their clients and can be instrumental in changing their lives.


If you are interested in becoming a substance abuse counselor in Oklahoma, there are many resources that you can find on the internet. There are some local colleges that will help you in your search for the right school to attend and you can learn more about the education requirements that you must meet to qualify as a counselor. These schools will also be able to provide you with the training and resources that you need to start your own counseling practice.


It is always a good idea to check with your employer to make sure that they feel that they can trust you enough to let you work with their patients. if they were to hire you.


Once you have received your education to become a counselor, you can begin your quest to provide care to the people who call on you to provide services in the form of counseling. substance abuse or alcoholism counseling. As long as you keep up with your education and keep practicing your skills, you should be able to succeed.


Counselor Testing & Examination Process


As you work to gain your initial license to practice, you’ll rely on what you learned in your college classes. Once you get a study guide, you’ll have a good idea of the areas you should focus on as you study and review—this means your time spent studying will be focused on what the exam itself will hold.


After you’ve been working as a LADC for at least 18 months, you’ll begin planning to submit paperwork for license renewal. Make sure that you have sufficient continuing education hours. Keep every certificate of completion you receive because you will have to send copies in when you renew your license.


Your continuing education (CE) courses should be selected with the intent to increase and deepen your knowledge of addiction-related topics. As you advance in this profession, you’ll be expected to work with difficult situations and clients.


Case managers working in a substance abuse rehab facility are not required to earn a degree specific to substance abuse. Instead, as a case manager, you should have earned a bachelor’s or master’s in a behavioral health-related field. If you graduated with a nursing degree, you can change over to case management as long as you have current licensure as a registered nurse in Oklahoma. And, just as with the LADCs in your field, you have to undergo testing for certification.


Clinical Supervision Explained


Clinical supervisors hold a vital role in substance abuse counseling. They have several goals they work toward as they supervise your work with your clients.


You won’t be under clinical supervision 100 percent of your work day. Instead, you and your CS will decide on the times each week that they will observe your work with clients.


As your supervisor in working with you in a clinical supervision role, they are ensuring that the activities you carry out with clients mesh well with the mission of the facility. They will also check to see if your treatment philosophy and clinical theory mesh with evidence-based practices.


At its most basic, clinical supervision helps to ensure that every client is receiving high-quality care. Your supervisor also verifies that your professional development is moving forward smoothly. You have the right to expect clinical supervision as you work with your clients.


If your clinical supervisor has fewer years of practical experience than you do, you may be wondering how effective your clinical supervision is. Your CS may have other experience that substitutes for the years of experience. Be frank but respectful with your supervisors in addressing your concerns. You want your supervised experiences to help you stretch and grow as an addiction counselor.


Your CS may use one or more clinical supervision models. These are competency-based, developmental, treatment-based and integrated. Each form has different expected outcomes, and each one contributes to helping you as a substance abuse counselor to be the best professional possible. Based on your individual needs, your CS will choose the model that will be most likely to help you focus on any areas where you may need to focus your skill-building. Your CS also focuses on the needs of each of your clients, your agency’s legal and ethical boundaries and the goals your agency is working to meet.


Renewal and Continuing Education


When you choose CE courses, do so with four aims in mind:


  • Expand on your knowledge of planning and evaluating treatment plans using the treatment interventions you are familiar with. Your CE choices should also help you to be more comfortable in implementing any treatment plans

  • Developing an understanding of drug dependency and alcoholism

  • Becoming more skilled in conducting assessments on your clients so you can develop the most accurate diagnosis of their issues. When you have achieved this, you’ll be able to create an appropriate treatment plan

  • Increasing your knowledge and skills in diagnosing, preventing and treating alcoholism and drug dependency issues in your clients


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


  • 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


In Oklahoma, mental health specialists and licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselors can connect with each other when they join one of the state associations in the state.


Located within the Oklahoma Public Health Department, the Alcohol and Drug Counselors association makes it possible for you to network with other counselors. You’re more likely to be able to find information that helps you to work with your clients. Use this association as a hub where you can meet counselors from other agencies in Oklahoma. Based in Oklahoma City.


The Oklahoma Association - Alcohol is specifically designed for counselors who work with alcoholics. You’ll also be able to connect with other counselors, so you can exchange ideas in working with your clientele. Also based in Oklahoma City.


The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services meets the broadest needs for the widest group of counselors. This state organization assists counselors and addicts as they look for answers.


This organization also reaches out to people in recovery who are interested in becoming recovery support specialists. These individuals have life experience in addiction. With this in their background, they have unique points of view that other addicts and counselors can use in treatment. Like counselors, recovery support specialists are required to accumulate continuing education credits so they can become credentialed to work with addicts in their area. Also based in Oklahoma City.