Wyoming
What does an Addiction Counselor in Wyoming do? What is Their Job Role?
If your goal is to become a substance abuse counselor in Wyoming you've made an excellent choice. Due to the growing opiate crisis, changes in the judicial treatment of drug offenders, and other factors the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports job openings for counselors in Wyoming are projected to grow by 18 percent in the next decade. In addition, substance abuse counselors in the state enjoy a median annual income of $56,560, which is over $13,000 higher than the national average. Coupled with the low cost of living in Wyoming you can expect to make an excellent living in a job field you love.
While you can begin your career in counseling with an Associate's degree the fact of the matter is that over 50 percent of substance abuse counselors hold a Master's degree or higher. You should make your long-term plans accordingly and make at least a Master's your educational goal. The highest paid 10 percent of substance abuse counselors in Wyoming earn over $80,000 per year so your degree will pay off quickly once you achieve your higher certification.
Overview
Licensure for substance abuse counseling is overseen by the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board (WMHPLB), which awards three main certifications for counselors: Certified Addictions Practitioner Assistant (CAPA), Certified Addictions Practitioner (CAP) and Licensed Addictions Therapist (LAT). Each certification requires a specific amount of education, training, and experience; all licensure candidates must pass a criminal background check when they apply for their license.
Once you meet the educational and supervised clinical training criteria for the certification you're earning you will apply to the WMHPLB and take the exam required for your level. Your supervised training must meet state guidelines in order to be accepted for licensure.
When you receive your certification you'll be required to renew it on a regular basis. During the period your license is valid you must complete state specific continuing education requirements before your certification will be renewed.
Because the requirements are exact and quite involved it's a good idea to join one or more professional organizations as soon as you're ready to enroll in your substance abuse counselor education program. Membership in these organizations will provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and many other benefits that will help you on your journey to licensure.
Wyoming addiction counselors receive their credentials from the Mental Health Professionals Licensing Board. Licensing or certification is mandatory. Credentials are issued at multiple levels. In order to achieve the Licensed Addictions Therapist (LAT) credential, a person must earn a master’s degree, pass an examination, and complete a supervised practice requirement. The PAT (Provisional Addictions Therapist) credential authorizes supervised practice.
The CAP (Certified Addictions Practitioner) can be achieved with a bachelor’s degree; the CAPA (Certified Addictions Practitioner Assistant) requires addiction-specific coursework. Both credentials are dependent on examination. Practitioners work under ongoing supervision
Wyoming Licensing & Certifications for Associates & Independent Counselors
As mentioned above Wyoming has three levels of licensure for substance abuse counselors: Certified Addictions Practitioner Assistant (CAPA), Certified Addictions Practitioner (CAP) and Licensed Addictions Therapist (LAT). All levels require a background check and all educational requirements must be from a Council for Higher Education Accreditation accredited institution of higher learning. Here's a look at the requirements for each certification:
Certified Addictions Practitioner Assistant (CAPA) Requirements
Earn at least an associate's degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling, addiction studies, or similar program as approved by the Board
Complete 270 hours of education and/or training with a minimum 200 hours specific to addictions, six hours of communicable diseases coursework, and at least 30 hours of counseling ethics. Up to 70 hours may be in general mental health subjects not specific to addiction.
Pass the National Association for Addictions Professionals (NAADAC) NCAC Level I exam
Certified Addictions Practitioner (CAP) Requirements
Earn a bachelor's degree or higher in chemical dependency, substance abuse, or a related addiction subject as approved by the Board. Courses must include the following:
Addictions Assessment
Addictions and Special Populations
Addictive Behaviors
Alcoholism, Drugs and Behavior
Compulsive Behaviors
Counseling Ethics (two hours)
Counseling Skills
Counseling Theories (three hours)
Methods and Techniques of Individual and Group Counseling (three hours)
Theories and Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy
Complete a practicum in Addictions/Chemical Dependency Counseling
Pass the NAADAC NCAC Level II exam OR the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor exam (AODA)
Licensed Addictions Therapist (LAT) Requirements
Earn a master's degree or higher in Chemical Dependency Counseling or Healing Arts; other mental health disciplines are generally accepted at the discretion of the Board with the following criteria:
Counseling theory (three hours)
Counseling practice (three hours)
Ethics (three hours)
Alcoholism, drugs, and behavior (10 hours)
Addictive behavior (10 hours)
Addictions assessment (10 hours)
Addictions and special populations (10 hours)
communicable diseases (six hours)
Addiction counseling practicum
3,000 hours of clinically supervised work in alcohol or drug abuse counseling, 1,200 hours of which must be in face-to-face client contact and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision. All hours must be post-Master's degree.
Pass the NAADAC NCAC Master Addiction Counselor exam (MAC) or the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Master Addiction Counselor exam (MAC)
Education Requirements
First, you should verify that your school of choice holds accreditation by a regional or national agency that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or CHEA. This will guarantee all the credits you earn will be accepted by the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board (WMHPLB) when you're ready to apply for certification.
Although you can begin your certification with an Associate's degree you'll need to earn a Master's to qualify as an LAT so you should keep this in mind throughout your education. Make sure your Associate's credits can be applied to your Bachelor's program and Master's degree.
When you are ready to take your Master's practicum make sure it qualifies under the board requirement for clinical supervision so you will be ready to begin accumulating your work experience as soon as you have your Master's.
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.
Mental Health Professions Licensing Board
The Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board has a mandate from the Wyoming legislature to “safeguard the health, safety and welfare” of the state’s citizens. The Board’s mission includes qualifying candidates for licensure exams to ensure quality mental health services. In Wyoming, Addiction Counselors must be licensed or certified; only those licensed (or certified) by the Board are entitled to use the term “Counselor”. Multiple Licensure is available. To become a Licensed Addictions Therapist (LAT) the Board requires a master’s degree, exam, and supervised practice period.
Address
2001 Capitol Ave, Room 105
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone
(307) 777-3508
Website Address
https://mentalhealth.wyo.gov/
Licensure:
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Addiction Therapist (LA)
Provisional Professional Counselor (PPC)
Wyoming dependency therapists obtain their credentials from the Mental Health Professionals Licensing Board. Licensing or accreditation is required. Credentials are issued at multiple levels. In order to attain the Licensed Dependencies Specialist (LAT) credential, a person should earn a master's degree, pass an exam, as well as complete a monitored technique requirement.
The manager will send verification directly to the licensing firm; the confirmation kind requests for evaluation and for a referral for or versus licensure. The Wyoming Board will certainly accept the Organization for Addictions Professionals (NAADAC) or the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
A fourth attempt might be licensed if the candidate has a removal strategy. Professionals already licensed in Wyoming as expert counselors, marital relationship and also family therapists, or professional social workers have special stipulations. They must finish 150 hours of addiction-related education, which is to include material in 4 of 6 locations acknowledged by the Board.
Prospects can anticipate e-mail alerts that their applications have been gotten. Email inquiry is permitted. Wyoming will provide reciprocity to out-of-state candidates if their qualifications were based upon comparable criteria. A Certified Addiction Therapist who has actually fulfilled level requirements yet does not fulfill all Wyoming standards might be granted a provisional license; guidance will certainly be required until such time as the counselor receives complete licensure.
Wyoming has 3 levels of accreditation for those who are interested in becoming qualified Chemical abuse Counselors. The most affordable tier is called the Certified Dependencies Professional Assistant (CAPA). The following degree is called the Licensed Dependencies Expert (CAP). The highest degree of accreditation is called the Accredited Dependencies Specialist (LAT).
Are you interested to discover concerning Dependency and also Compound Therapy education? See institutions both local and online who inform you to additionally end up being a counselor or various other kinds of specialists in related occupation fields. You can request details, without any responsibility, to start or continue a degree program.
Pass the Organization for Addictions Professionals (NAADAC), NCAC Degree II test OR the International Certification and also Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Alcohol as well as Various Other Medication Misuse Counselor (AODA) tests. You can locate the application form right here. Pass a criminal background check. Have a Master's degree or higher in Chemical Dependency Therapy from a Council for College Accreditation accredited organization of greater learning.
All hours need to be accrued after being granted your Master's degree. 1,200 hrs must be in straight client contact. 100 hours of professional face-to-face supervision is needed. NCAC Master Dependency Counselor (MAC) test OR the National Board for Qualified Counselors (NBCC) Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) test.
When looking for a drug and alcohol counselor in Wyoming, you may have many options. If you are unable to find a licensed therapist who meets your specific needs, there are a number of other options that are available.
Some people suffer from drug addiction, because they have an issue with substance abuse. While this is often a problem that is not easy to overcome, it can be treated. In some cases, the problem is so severe that it requires drug treatment.
Alcoholics are often self-medicating when they have problems in their life. This includes dealing with the pressures of work, relationships and family. Because of this, they may feel as if they cannot cope with life on their own. It is not unusual for an alcoholic to seek help from a counselor. This type of professional will help them figure out how to overcome their issues and make them into positive changes.
A drug and alcohol counselor will also help an addict to understand the effects of drug and alcohol abuse on their body. This is important because the effects can last a long time. If someone does not understand the physical and emotional repercussions of taking drugs, then it will be much more difficult to overcome.
Once the counselor helps the addict to understand the situation, they may be able to give them the tools that they need to overcome their problem. The counselor will help them identify what causes the problem and try to find a way to deal with those causes. This can involve using medication or therapy. Both of these methods can help to bring about positive changes in an addict's life.
It is important that the counselor be able to talk about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and why people should not use drugs. The counselor will be able to share their experiences with clients and get them to understand why they use drugs or why they shouldn't use drugs. Once they have gained the information they need, they will be able to put the knowledge to good use and give the client the tools that they need to get over the problem.
A counselor will also have access to education and resources that can help clients overcome the problems that are associated with alcohol abuse. These include groups that can help individuals deal with anger, depression and other stress related issues. They can also get them to realize that they don't have to live with their drug and alcohol addiction all their lives.
Once you see a counselor, you should know that you can get help to overcome the problems that you face. are facing and that you can get the help you need, you can gain strength and hope that you can get past the problem.
You should also know that there are many support groups for people who are facing the same problems that you are facing. These groups will help you connect with others who are going through the same things that you are facing. These groups can help you find hope and the strength that you need to continue living a healthy and productive life. There are many support groups in Wyoming that will help you find a way to overcome your drug and alcohol addiction.
Many individuals feel that the only way to get help is by going to a drug and alcohol rehab center in Wyoming. If you live in this state, you will be able to visit a rehab center in Wyoming. The counselor there can explain the many problems that you are facing. and they can help you make the decisions that you need to make.
Before you go to a drug and alcohol counselor in Wyoming, you should make sure that you know your options. You need to make sure that you are completely committed to going to the treatment center. You also need to find a counselor who can work with you and give you the necessary information so that you can overcome your addiction.
If you think you need professional help then it is important that you visit the counselor before you decide. In order to get the best assistance possible, you need to be willing to take action and make the changes that you need to make.
Counselor Testing & Examination Process
When you're ready to apply for certification you may download the appropriate application from the Board website. You will need to submit the following:
Citizenship or legal status
Professional disclosure statement
Three professional references
Supervision agreement
Official school transcripts (email, fax, and USPS mail accepted directly from school)
Fees as follows (may change in time): CAPA $300, CAP $300, LAT $350
Once your application has been accepted as complete you will be notified that you are eligible to sit for the appropriate exam.
Clinical Supervision Explained
Clinical supervision is the portion of your training done under a state licensed clinical supervisor. Your supervisor will help you become a fully rounded counselor and will provide training in a wide variety of areas such as:
Auditing of patient files
Case review and discussion of active cases
Counselor development
Counselor skill assessment and performance evaluation
Direct observation of treatment
Staff management and administration
Teaching professional responsibility
Your supervisor will help you develop the core function, professional development and growth, and competency in the core foundations. They will also be tasked with logging your required supervised hours and reporting the same on your credential application.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Your license will expire every two years on your birthday; you will receive a notice about 60 days before expiration. During those two years you will be required to complete 45 hours of continuing education in the substance abuse field. Your continuing education (CE) requirement can be met in a variety of ways such as:
Accredited coursework (one semester credit equals 15 CE hours)
Making presentations (six hours maximum)
CE courses through NAADAC
You are responsible for tracking your CE hours as well as providing proof of the coursework you have taken.
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 enroll in school you should join one or more professional organizations for substance abuse counselors. Membership in a professional association will provide networking opportunities, mentorship, and many other benefits such as advocacy opportunities, information on upcoming conferences, seminars, and workshops, and the latest information on legislative news that can affect your profession. You'll also find continuing education courses, discounts on books and magazines, and information on job openings in the state. Because substance abuse counseling is a tough job with a high burnout rate it's important that you build a strong support network as soon as you begin your career. There are many national organizations for substance abuse counselors as well as two that are based in Wyoming. Here's a list to get you started:
Wyoming Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
Wyoming Counseling Association
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
Association of Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselors (ACADC)