Certified Addiction Counselor Prep Classes

Applied Training Consultant Group (ATCG) offers Certified Addiction Counselor Prep classes designed to assist potential counselors prepare to sit for the national addiction counselor exam. Participants making a 2-year commitment will accrue minimum 180 educational clock hours toward certification. Trainings are also appropriate for re-certification. Cost is $70 each module. All hours have been approved by the Georgia Addiction Counselor's Association. Twice a year ATCG offers the 20-hour Counselor-In-Training Series (CCIT). Contact us for upcoming dates.

Clinical Supervision Training

ATCG offers a 30-hour didactic training series as part of the requirement for

Clinical Supervision Certification or select 15 hours for recertification. Covered

areas include: Assessment/Evaluation, Counselor Development,

Management/Administration, and Professional Responsibilities. Group or

individual sessions are available. All hours have been approved by Georgia

Addiction Counselors Association (GACA).

MODULE 1

Fundamentals of Addiction Counseling

DATE: 3rd Saturday in January

The course reviews the dynamics and functions of addiction counseling and critical components of treatment. Course provides a breakdown of Addiction Counseling Competencies: Knowledge, Skills and attitudes (Tap 21). Interactive group exercises will be used to enhance the learning experience. This class is a must for new counselors.

MODULE 2

Psychoactive Chemical Use, Abuse and Dependence

(Counseling Services and Clinical Assessment)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in February

Course provides participants with information about the process of addiction, the history of psychoactive drugs, drug classifications, and their effects. Addresses treatment and causes of addiction.

MODULE 3

The Neurobiology of Addiction

(Counseling Services and Clinical Assessment)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in March

Introduces counselor to the field of pharmacology and

familiarizes them with signs and symptoms of

psychoactive chemical problems, causes of addiction, the neurobiology of substance abuse, and understanding the functions of neurotransmitters.

MODULE 4

Screening, Intake, Orientation and Assessment:

(Treatment Admission)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in April

Provides participants with the skills needed to conduct accurate evaluation of clients seeking services. This class will provide interactive experiential learning as participants conduct mock screening, assessments, complete admission forms and conduct simulations of effective orientation to the program service.

MODULE 5

Treatment Approaches: (Clinical Assessment)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in May

This class will provide participants with information about various treatment approaches and modalities. Participants will learn skills needed to appropriately match individuals with the suitable programs. Class will address the use of the DSM-V SUD diagnosis, ASAM Patient Placement Criteria and dimensions. Participants will learn how to make effective recommendations for services.

MODULE 6

Counseling Functions and Skills:

(Ongoing Treatment Planning Case Management)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in June

Covers skills needed to help counselor design treatment plans, provide

appropriate case management and conduct effective crisis intervention when crisis events arise. This class will provide experiential learning as participants create treatment plans and ongoing plan reviews, coordinate a multi-service case management plan and take part in a mock crisis event. Class includes making effective referrals and discharge plans.

MODULE 7 

Counseling Practice:

(Counseling Services Documentation)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in July

Design and delivery of appropriate client education sessions will be addressed. Class includes the use of stage models to help throughout the course of treatment. Class will offer participants experiential learning as they partake in mock individual and group counseling sessions. The class also encompasses documentation and recording of the process of treatment.

MODULE 8

Theoretical Base of Counseling:

(Counseling Services Documentation)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in August

This class covers major counseling theories and techniques and reasons

counselors select certain interventions for particular clients. Session is

interactive with participants practicing theories to include Brief Therapy, Reality Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Gestalt and Motivational Interviewing. The class also encompasses documentation and recording of the process of treatment.

MODULE 9

Counseling Skills

(Counseling Skills Discharge and Continuing Care)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in September

This class covers the development of counselor skills. Course will cover the counselor/client, engaging and rapport building, listening and attending skills, observation of action and non-verbal responses. Course includes counseling families, adolescents, and the elderly. Information about relapse prevention, discharge planning, and helping client establish a continuum of care will be discussed.

MODULE 10

Counseling Services - Individual Group Counseling

DATE: 3rd Saturday in October

This interactive class will address individual and group counseling skills and what the counselor’s role is in both. The course will address benefits and barriers to both types and the qualities needed to effect quality sessions. The course will look at the history of self-help groups and their benefits to the addiction counseling profession. While this is a ZOOM class it will be interactive!

MODULE 11

Professional Issues

(Legal, Ethical Professional Growth Issues)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in November

The class will address state and/or federal regulations governing the substance abuse treatment and counseling industry. It encompasses Ethics and Federal Confidentiality Laws (42CFR). This addresses professional boundaries, counselor wellness and the importance of continuous self-evaluation. Interactive exercises will be used to help gain an understanding the professional issues required of substance abuse counselors. Includes required 3 hours in Ethics.

MO0DULE 12

Special Considerations of Counseling

(Counseling Services, Case Management, Discharge and Continuing Care)

DATE: 3rd Saturday in December

This class addresses working with culturally diverse groups to include specific issues related to age, gender, ethnicity, co-occurring disorders, homelessness and HIV/AIDS. Through interactive and experiential exercises participants will be challenged to think out-side of their comfort zone. Class includes 4 hours for cultural diversity 3 hours for HIV AIDS education.