Utah

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


Utah’s laws covering mental health professionals, including substance abuse counselors, are unique in some respects. This state has established more categories for its substance abuse counselors, based on education, experience and clinical supervision.


Overview


Licensed or certified substance abuse counselors are required to show proof that they satisfactorily meet all requirements for licensure. The only category where an applicant for licensure can receive a temporary license are substance abuse professionals holding advanced degrees with deficiencies in coursework—they can practice under an “externship” license, which must be replaced with a full license once they have made up the deficiency.


Just as with other states, Utah requires its substance abuse counselors to receive clinical supervision from a qualified clinical supervisor.


Continuing education and renewal of licenses are also required by this state. Failure to do so means the counselor will be legally unable to work with clients.


Utah Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors


In Utah, six categories divide substance abuse counselors, based on education and experience. Depending on the degree you received from an accredited college or university, you may be called a certified substance abuse counselor, certified substance abuse counselor/intern or a licensed substance abuse counselor. You may qualify for one of three advanced categories. These are the certified advanced substance abuse disorder counselor intern, certified advanced substance abuse counselor and licensed advanced substance abuse disorder counselor. Both intern qualifications are intended for those license applicants who have not yet taken their licensure exams.


If you are an intern, you’ll have different educational, licensure and clinical supervision requirements from the certified or licensed substance abuse counselors. You’ll also be limited in the level of counseling and interaction you’ll have with clients.


In Utah, substance abuse counselors have to take continuing education classes (just as in every other state). They also have to renew their licenses by the last day of May in odd-numbered years. Utah approves licensure by endorsement if you worked as a substance abuse counselor in a different state, as long as your license is in good standing. You’ll also have to show proof of having met a few other requirements established in state law. Substance abuse counselors holding either a master’s degree or doctoral degree can practice under a temporary externship license if they have a deficiency in their coursework.


Education Requirements


College students planning to major in mental health, including substance abuse counseling, must take two prerequisite courses, including general psychology and human lifespan development. If you are in community college, you’ll have to earn an associate’s degree with 60 semester credit hours from an accredited educational institution. This accreditation should be provided by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation of the American Council on Education or CHEA.


After receiving your initial license to practice as a substance abuse counselor, you’re required to take continuing education (CE) courses which will be applied to your license renewal applications. (If your license has lapsed, the only way to reinstate it is to take the required number of CE hours and show documentation of such.


Utah requires its substance abuse counselors to take 40 hours of continuing education coursework. This must relate directly to your professional practice. Specifically, six of the required 40 CE hours should cover professional responsibilities and ethics.


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 Commerce

Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)


The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) is a regulatory branch of the Utah Department of Commerce. Although DOPL no longer administers mental health licensure exams, the Division does offer renewals and continuing education information. Utah now requires the NCMHC examination, provided by The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), for licensure.


Address

P.O. Box 146741

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741


Phone

(801) 530-6628

(866) 275-3675 (Utah toll-free number)


Website Address

https://dopl.utah.gov/cmhc/index.html


Licensure:

  • Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHC)

  • Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (ACMHC)


Utah substance abuse specialists are certified by the Compound Usage Condition Counselor Licensing Board, under the banner of the Utah Division of Professional and likewise Work Licensing (DOPL). There are numerous degrees of licensure. To certify as an Advanced Compound Use Problem Therapist (ASUDC), one demands to have a college degree at the bachelor's degree level or higher.


The classification 'Qualified' (as in Qualified Substance Use Disorder Counselor or Certified Advanced Substance Usage Problem Counselor) reveals that a counselor has actually finished education and also exam demands yet has not yet met the experience needed for complete licensure. A person may be certified to work as a Licensed Material Usage Trouble Therapist Student (CSUDCI) or Certified Advanced Material Usage Condition Therapist Student (CASUDCI) while waiting to take the qualifying test.


Capella University furthermore provides three on the net CACREP-accredited programs: MS in Medical Mental Health Therapy, MS in Institution Therapy, as well as likewise PhD in Counselor Education along with Supervision, together with a COAMFTE-accredited program, MS in Marriage and also Family Members Treatment. Go here to talk with Capella College and inquire concerning their programs. Product use disorder therapists are needed to look for education at the companion's level.


The 60 semester hours required to be granted by institutions that hold accreditations that are determined by the Council for Higher Education And Also Knowing Certification. Candidates have to finish requirement coursework in psychology along with human development across the lifespan. They must have 200 hrs of education and discovering pertaining to substance use problems. Furthermore they must have 200 humans resources of practicum.


While the stats continue to be unpleasant, the state federal government remains to seek legislative choices to the trouble. Additionally, thoughtful Utahns can commit themselves to winding up being drug abuse counselors to assist their having a hard time neighbors. This website details just exactly how possible students can become a chemical abuse specialist in Utah. Utah provides 6 substance use issue specialist (SUDC) licenses: licensed SUDC trainee, certified SUDC, accredited SUDC, accredited sophisticated SUDC trainee, approved sophisticated SUDC, and likewise certified advanced SUDC.


Among the most basic product abuse counselor licenses certified SUDC intern, accredited SUDC, as well as also accredited SUDC call for prospects to hold associate degrees in related locations. The innovative licenses need potential customers to hold bachelor's degrees or higher to basically misuse therapy, therapy, psychology, or associated areas. Students must assure they pick colleges that make accreditation from companies accepted by the Council for College Accreditation (CHEA).


Certified SUDC prospects require 2,000 hours, while certified innovative SUDC applicants need to hold 4,000 human resources. The Utah Department of Company's Department of Occupational in addition to Specialist Licensing (DOPL) cares for drug abuse specialist licenses in the state. The DOPL gives potential customers many programs to licensure depending on their level of education and also learning. Certified SUDC trainee candidates can earn their licenses by finishing the academic demands as well as sending applications.


Just 15 credits per two-year cycle can originate from on-line programs. Resurgence prospects ought to additionally send applications on which they demonstrate their case education credit rating. Specialists that let their licenses end demand to repossess the across the country assessments to restore their qualifications. Drug abuse counselor licenses in Utah end every 2 years Utah therapy professionals along with trainees use a selection of resources to widen their networks, find jobs, recognize the current marketing research, and also make proceeding education and learning credit history rankings.


As an addiction specialist, I often meet with people who are looking to hire a drug and alcohol counselor in Utah. They either want to get help for someone or to do something about their own substance abuse issues. Regardless of the reasons, they are desperate for someone who can help them and who is willing to help them.


When you look at the services of a drug and alcohol counselor in Utah, you can be assured that you will get quality care. It's no secret that these types of professionals have helped many addicts successfully overcome the pain of addiction. There is no shame in needing help.


There are several places to get help. You can find professional help from your local community, state rehab centers, outpatient treatment centers, and in-home recovery programs. The options are endless and depending on your needs, you can find the right help.


Depending on the type of addiction that you suffer from, the local community treatment center may be able to provide some of the same treatment options. However, most are geared toward adults. Most teens and children are treated in outpatient centers where they receive a safe, private environment. Their doctors and counselors are fully licensed.


With a center that is geared toward adults, they offer specialized treatment for those in the need of it. These types of facilities typically include a 24-hour on-site doctor, detoxification, and other treatments. They also offer medications and counseling.


For those who don't live in the area, there are outpatient treatment programs that are great for people who can't afford a rehab stay. They usually allow the addict to be admitted on an outpatient basis and to work with a doctor or psychologist to set up a plan. The goal is to help the addict break the addictive cycle and get back to life.


If you have a long-term addiction, then you may need a residential treatment program. These types of facilities can provide treatment services for long-term addicts. Some are located in a facility where they can be close to home, but others are outside of the city.


Those who are in the process of alcohol or drug treatment should go with a counselor who knows the program inside out and is willing to answer questions about the long-term treatment and the best way to approach the problem. When you are seeking a drug and alcohol counselor in Utah, make sure you are working with a professional who has experience and knowledge of the substance abuse industry. and who has compassion for the addict as well.


If you are not able to commit to an in-patient alcohol treatment or are looking for a one-time stop, it may be a good idea to look online for a drug and alcohol counselor in Utah. These counselors will be able to meet with your family or a group of people who share similar goals. and can offer advice about how to move forward. It is important to make sure the counselor is someone who has compassion and the right attitude toward the problem at hand.


Once you've found a good counselor, you will want to ask for references. Ask for information about their work, such as how many times they have helped individuals overcome substance abuse. and what success rate they have with their clients.


Find out how long the program they worked with and how many patients they see at any one time. Also find out if they do group therapy and individual counseling. This will give you an idea of what kind of support they are offering, so you know you can feel comfortable with them.


If you have an addiction and need long-term treatment, seek out a counselor who is experienced. You should find someone who has dealt with substance abusers in your home and knows what you're going through.


Counselor Testing & Examination Process


Every candidate for licensure has to show proof of experience. Exam requirements for the certified advanced substance disorder counselor and the advanced substance disorder counselor must take the written NAADAC National Certification Exam, either at Level II or MAC, receiving the minimum criterion score established by NAACAC. Or, you can take the written ICRC Advanced Alcohol and Drug (AADC) exam, again scoring at least the minimum criterion score established by ICRC.


Certified substance disorder counselors or substance disorder counselors have to take the written NAADAC or ICRC AADC exam, receiving the minimum score.


Clinical Supervision Explained


An advanced substance use disorder counselor must receive 4,000 hours of supervised experience and show proof of this. This supervision should be at a ratio of one hour of face-to-face direct supervision to every 40 hours of substance use disorder counseling supervision.


Supervised experience can only be completed under the direct supervision of an advanced substance use disorder counselor or mental health therapist, unless the counselor has requested and received approval for supervision from another otherwise-qualified supervisor. Clinical supervisors should hold specific qualifications, including education or experience in treating substance use disorders, currently working in the substance use disorder treatment field and reviewing substance use disorder counselor assessment procedures and recommendations. Clinical supervisors should also be able to offer substance disorder diagnoses, as well as other mental health diagnoses (co-occurring disorders). Your clinical supervisor has to supervise as you develop treatment plans for your clients, approving them for you.


By Utah law, clinical supervisors cannot supervise more than five counselors, unless they are given an exception in writing from the Board and division.


Supervisors who provide clinical supervision for certified substance disorder counselors, interns, certified advanced substance disorder counselors and advanced interns or licensed substance abuse disorder counselors must be licensed advanced substance disorder counselors, have a minimum of two years of experience as licensed advanced substance disorder counselors and currently work in the substance disorder field. Supervisors at this level are required to supervise no more than three counselors, unless they receive an exemption from the Board and division.


Substance abuse counselors are required to accumulate 2,000 hours of supervised work experience in substance abuse disorder treatment. This experience should focus on providing substance use disorder counseling services.


Clinical supervisors are required to meet the qualifications that were established by Section 58-60-608 under Utah law.


Renewal and Continuing Education


Your license to practice substance abuse counseling expires at midnight on May 31st in every odd-numbered year. Utah law requires its substance abuse counselors to undergo a set number of continuing education hours. These must be documented by certification of completing the courses. You need to submit copies of these certificates as proof that you took your required CE courses. If you don’t provide this proof, your license will expire.


The state division that oversees the licensing of mental health professionals and substance abuse counselors can shorten or extend a renewal cycle. This shortening or lengthening can be up to one year, so renewal cycles can be staggered.


Substance abuse counselors at all six levels are required to participate in 40 hours of continuing education that directly pertains to their professional practice.


To make it easier for you to choose CE courses, they should meet these standards:


Make a clear statement of purpose with a defined objective;


Presentation must be well-organized and sequential, complying with the purpose of the program;


Proven relevance to your professional practice;


Preparers and presenters should be qualified by education, experience and training;

Registration method allows you to begin and complete the program;


Records of registration and documentation of course completion should be available for review;


Credits for CE courses should be recognized as follows:


  1. Unlimited CE hours will be accepted in time blocks no shorter than 50 minutes, in formally established seminars, classroom courses, services, institutes or workshops;


  1. A max of ten hours for every two-year period may be recognized for testing within college or university setting, or teaching CE courses in the substance abuse field;


  1. A maximum of 15 hours in a two-year period can be recognized in distance learning, internet-based courses or clinical readings that are related directly to practice as a substance abuse counselor;

  1. You are responsible for maintaining comprehensive records of completed CE for four years after the completion of the two-year period tow which the records pertain. You must maintain all of this information with respect to continuing education so as to prove that it meets the requirements of the law;


  1. You are responsible for showing proof that you are busy with full-time activities or involved with circumstances that prevent you from meeting your CE requirements as specified by Utah law. You may be excused from your continuing education requirements for up to five years, but it is your responsibility to document the reasons why you could not meet this requirement. You are also responsible for justifying why you could not meet your commitment to obtaining CE hours.


If you are trying to reinstate your license after two years following its expiration have elapsed, you must show your competence in the following ways:


Meet with the Board on its request so your current ability to interact competently and safely with substance abuse clients can be evaluated. The Board will also determine whether any additional education, exam or experience will be required before you are allowed to reinstate your license;


You must pass the required exam (explained in Section R156-60d-302c), if the Board decided that you need to take the exam to demonstrate your ability to work safely and competently as a substance abuse counselor;


You must complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education in subjects to be determined by the Board to ensure your ability to work safety with 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


Associations & Organizations


Substance abuse counselors at every level have an association where they can meet other mental health professionals. The Utah Mental Health Counselors Association is a chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.


This association also invites unlicensed and uncertified mental health counselors to join. Membership in this organization allows you to participate in conferences which may allow you to accumulate more CE hours. If you are planning to present at a workshop or conference, the UMHCA will do everything it can to help you give a good, productive presentation. In addition, membership opens you up to participation in related workshops and conferences; you may also receive fee discounts.