Rhode Island

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


Substance abuse counselors are mental health professionals that work correctly with people dealing with chemical dependencies. Their work differs by client and setting, but they may lead support groups and one-on-one counseling sessions, as well as help patients develop a clear path toward recovery.


The state of Rhode Island offers prospective counselors several different options for getting started on this career path, a relatively low barrier to entry. Still, those who wish to pursue a stable career may fare best with an advanced degree.


Overview


Counselors may find work in nonprofit organizations, as well as for-profit rehab clinics, and government-run organizations that provide counseling services.


Generally, substance abuse counselors perform evaluations for patients and develop a personalized plan for recovery; over the course of counseling, this plan may change depending on the patient's needs and progress.


While it’s not a prerequisite, a successful counselor should have some connections in the social services community. For example, this could be relationships with medical providers or job training programs that benefit recovering patients.


There are counseling certifications for those at all educational levels. A candidate with a GED or an associate's degree will need to obtain more logged working credentials on their way to certification than someone with a master's degree.


But, Rhode Island is unique in that one can advance within this field without going back to school. Instead, you can opt to move up by gaining hands-on experience. Still, if you wish to obtain the advanced certification, you will need that advanced degree to go with it.


Rhode Island Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors


Like other states, aspiring Rhode Island professionals have a few different paths they can take toward earning certification. The Rhode Island Board website emphasizes that there are several ways of getting to the final goal of accreditation—depending on your education level when you begin the training process.


The three "main options" are differentiated by education level, and are as follows:


  • Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counselor (PADC)

  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)

  • Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC)


On top of those designations, addiction counseling professionals are also eligible to become certified in other related specialties.


  • Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional (CCDP)

  • Certificate of Competency in Problem Gambling

  • Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) abuse counselor in the state of Arizona, you must complete a series of steps.


Additionally, prospective counselors may gain lesser certifications as Certified Peer Recovery Specialists or Certified Community Health Workers. These options may be worth exploring if you’re in recovery yourself, are looking for a way to give back to the community, or as a means of finding out if counseling is right for you.


Education Requirements


Here is a breakdown of the education requirements you’ll need to obtain in order to become a practicing chemical dependency counselor in the state of Rhode Island.


Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counselor (PADC)


This certification is an entry-level credential. While you don't need to have a college degree, you must have a GED or high school diploma, plus 140 hours of drug and alcohol education, relevant to alcohol and drug counseling. These hours may come from seminars and workshops, as well as in-services.


Still, it may be worthwhile to look toward a community college or university instead of cobbling together your hours through seminars. For example, enrolling in a three-credit semester class can replace 45 of those required credit hours.


Additionally, education must include 12 hours of confidentiality training, as well as six hours in each of the following subjects: chemical dependency, communicable diseases, ethics, medication, and medication attitudes. Of those 12 hours of confidentiality training, eight must address 42 CRF Part 2.


Finally, one is only granted their PDCP credential after completing one year or 2000 hours of professional experience. This can be either paid or volunteer experience. Finally, the PADC candidate will need to obtain 150 hours of supervised training. Credentials are good for two years and must be kept up to maintain licensure. Candidates are not required to take an exam.


Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)


At this level, the candidate must have a minimum of 300 hours of counseling training, and half of those hours must be specific to the subject of drug and alcohol abuse.


Like the entry-level credential, it is possible to achieve this designation without a degree, though your prospects will look a bit better if you pursue some level of higher education such as your associate’s degree or a bachelor’s.


Without a degree, you must obtain 6,000 hours (or three years) of experience. Interestingly, this is where Rhode Island differs from other states--providing counselors a means of "leveling up" by earning hours on the job.


Still, it pays to go to school. If you have an associate's degree in a relevant field, that can knock off 1,000 hours of experience. A bachelor's degree will account for 2,000 hours, while a master's degree accounts for 4,000.


Additional hours may be earned through practicum, internships, and board-approved volunteer work.


Finally, at the master’s level, you can advance to the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) designation. Here, because of the additional degree, hours are reduced. You’ll need 180 hours of education credits in alcohol and drug counseling, plus one year of work experience and 100 supervised hours.


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.


Clinical Supervision Explained


All addiction professionals in Rhode Island must undergo supervised clinical practice as part of their journey through licensure. Again, the required amount of hours is dependent on the type of certification you are applying for, as well as your level of formal education.


Internships and volunteer work might count toward the required hours, but they must meet the state’s criteria.


Department of Health

Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists


The Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists advises the Department and Director of Health in matters concerning the mental health profession. The Board reviews and approves, or rejects, applications for licensure and formulates regulations pertaining to the mental health professionals. They are also responsible for ensuring the highest quality of care for the citizens of Rhode Island. Their mission includes qualifying individuals for professional licensure and regulating practicing professionals’ activities and continuing education requirements.


Address

3 Capitol Hill, Room 104

Providence, RI 02908


Phone

(401) 222-7883


Website Address

https://opengov.sos.ri.gov/OpenMeetingsPublic/GovDirectory?subtopmenuId=202&EntityID=1922&MeetingID=0


Licensure:

• Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)


Rhode Island compound abuse therapists are credentialed by two companies. The Rhode Island Professionals, a governmental entity, issues licenses. Professionals can obtain licensure, nevertheless, they should hold 3rd party accreditation at the innovative (or post-entry level) via the Board for the Certification of Chemical Reliance Professionals (RIBCCDP).


The Board of Licensing approves the Advanced Chemical Dependence Specialist and also Advanced Chemical Dependency Expert II qualifications as license-qualifying. The ACDP II can only be achieved by experts with graduate education. The ACDP does not call for a level. Nonetheless, behavior science levels can reduce the duration. Capella University provides an on the internet MS in Addiction Researches and also a PhD in Dependency Psychology.


Click on this link to get in touch with Capella College and request details about their programs. The Board for the Accreditation of Chemical Dependency Professionals gives 'chemical dependence specialist' qualifications at numerous degrees. CDP candidates should be presently used in the field as well as have to live and/ or operate in Rhode Island. The Provisional Chemical Dependency Specialist (PCDP) accreditation is an entry-level credential.


They must complete 140 hours of education and learning that pertains to alcohol and medicine counseling. Workshops, seminars, as well as in-service are reputable. A pupil may credit a three-semester hour academic training course as 45 hrs. Education and learning must include 12 hrs of confidentiality as well as six hrs each in transmittable diseases, chemical reliance therapist ethics, as well as drug assisted therapy/ medicine attitudes.


The PDCP is not granted until an expert has one year (2,000 hours) of experience; both paid and also volunteer experience can be credited. Candidate must have 150 hours of guidance. The qualification board defines the time minimal credential; it can be held for just 2 years.


At this degree, there are two extra performance domain names: study and also supervision. The qualification board grants extra specialty credentials. Just one, Chemical Reliance Scientific Manager (CDCS) is acknowledged by the Rhode Island Board of Licensing for Chemical Dependency Professionals for licensing objectives.


Main transcripts ought to come straight from the issuing college. The clinical manager will certainly submit a confidential analysis to the certification board. An ACDP candidate will certainly pay $350 for screening and accreditation; half the fee can be reimbursed if the candidate is not discovered eligible to take the test. A prospect has to submit a notarized application with a two by two picture connected.


Are you interested to find out about Dependency and also Material Counseling? Seize the day to find out concerning committed programs. Request cost-free info to start or continue a level program.? * Capella College - Online Master of Scientific Research in Addiction Researches, BS Psychology, MS Counseling, MS Psychology Pass a criminal background check.


Becoming an addictions counselor in Rhode Island is no joke and it requires a lot of work and dedication. I know what you're thinking "well I think I could do it" but there are plenty of people who have been there and done that and they have seen all the hard work that goes into becoming an addiction counselor in Rhode Island.


First of all you need to make sure that you have a great foundation as an addiction counselor in Rhode Island. You need to be very confident about your knowledge, skills, and ability to help people who suffer from this terrible habit. You should also be willing to work with a lot of people and to do a lot of different things for people who are struggling with addiction.


It is important to remember that getting started in the field of addiction counseling in Rhode Island is not going to happen overnight. It can take quite some time before you start seeing results but if you continue to strive for success, you will see the results you want to see.


The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have all of the necessary training to be an addiction counselor in Rhode Island. This means taking part in a class and then going to the Rhode Island Board of Alcoholism Treatment and Rehabilitation to get certified. This is one step you cannot skip.


Next you need to take a course in psychology, mental health, sociology, and other different types of treatment. You will be working with different types of individuals in one on one sessions and this is where you will learn everything you need to know in order to be a great addiction counselor in Rhode Island.


Lastly you need to make sure that you are prepared mentally and emotionally to go the distance when you are working as a great addiction counselor. This means taking courses on leadership, social studies, social work, and many other subjects that will help you become the best addict counselor you possibly can be.


Becoming an addiction counselor in Rhode Island is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever have because you will have the chance to help a lot of people. Not only will you be able to help them but you will be able to teach them to be healthier and stronger and eventually lead a much happier and better life.


So make sure you keep all of these things in mind when you are thinking about becoming a great addiction counselor in Rhode Island. You are about to embark upon a very long and challenging journey that has lots to offer.


It will require a great deal of determination and drive from you as you make your way through your studies and get certified as an addiction counselor in Rhode Island. However you will find out very quickly that it is not all that difficult once you get started.


Once you have completed your education you will begin working as an addiction counselor and this is where you will learn the techniques to help individuals overcome their addictions and get back on track with their lives. You will learn that in order to become a great addiction counselor in Rhode Island you have to keep up a steady stream of classes every year or two to keep up with the latest techniques. and new approaches that will allow you to continue to grow and learn as an addict counselor.


Once you have become a counselor, you will need to keep the addiction on the side of the road and focus on the clients who have turned their lives around and made the commitment to getting sober. You will need to keep in contact with those who you worked with in the past and have helped in some way or another and continue to work with them on their recovery so you can give them support and guidance as they begin to regain control of their lives.


It can be an exciting and rewarding job, but also very challenging and you will find that you are working alongside some of the most passionate and committed people in the world who want the very best for you as well as you. If you take care of them well, they will always want you by their side for future counseling.


Counselor Testing & Examination Process


The testing process in Rhode Island takes place in two distinct parts. Once you’ve determined which level of certification you qualify for, you’ll need to submit your supervised hours form to the Rhode Island certification board, along with your transcript, and a few other components. The RI Certification Board provides guides for every level in pdf form, including a checklist of everything you’ll need to submit to progress with your certification.


You’ll pay the fee to earn your CADC or CAADC credential, and once approved; you’ll receive information about taking the licensing exam.


Candidates may download the documents they need from the Department of Health website. These forms serve as a series of questions, aimed at reviewing the candidate's competency. Candidates will answer questions like have they ever been licensed by the IC&RC or the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).


Additionally, the Rhode Island board will need documentation of US citizenship or legal resident status, as well as a photo, a $75 fee, and a notarized signature.


The Board for Chemical Dependency professionals requires certification verification directly from the RICB.


The license review process will require some waiting. According to the Board for Chemical Dependency professionals, the review process may take eight or more weeks. Once the application has been approved, the candidate will now be a Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional.


Renewal and Continuing Education


As we've mentioned above, certifications are only valid for every two years and must be renewed. If you’ve obtained a provisional certificate, you must upgrade your credential to CADC or CAADC. Otherwise, you must reapply for the temporary credential.


All counselors must participate in 40 hours of documented continuing education every two years. Of those 40 hours, three must cover professional ethics as they pertain to drug and alcohol counseling.


In Rhode Island, there is no limit on the number of hours that may be completed through distance learning, so renewing your credential may not be all that time consuming for working professionals.


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 may have seen some of these organizations mentioned in the above section. Here is a little more about the organizations responsible for the licensure and professional development of Rhode Island’s substance abuse counselors.

  • Rhode Island Department of Health: The department of health is responsible for licensing chemical dependency professionals. More information is available through the Rhode Island Department of Health website.

  • Rhode Island Certification Board: This organization is your central information hub if you're looking to pursue CADC or CAADC certification. The board is responsible for approving supervision hours, evaluating transcripts, and helping candidates coordinate their exams.

  • The Rhode Island Association for Addiction Professionals: Another professional resource, this is the NAADAC chapter for Rhode Island. The NAADAC is a professional association, so you’ll need to pay an annual membership fee. The organization provides networking opportunities, ongoing training, and more, so membership may be worthwhile.

  • 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 official website, exams and standards are updated every five or so 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.


Salary


Rhode Island substance abuse professionals stand to make a real difference in the community, offering much-needed compassion to an often tricky and stigmatized specification.


Salaries range from $30-50k annually, depending on the level of education achieved.