Addictions, Term Paper Example

Educational and Career Plan

Addiction counseling and recovery from mental health illness are among the most critical career fields, especially with the increased numbers of individuals battling Addiction and other substance use. Working as a counselor in private practice requires one to have a state-issued license. To work as a licensed professional counselor, one needs a Master’s degree program in psychology to provide advanced skill development and experience required for certification and licensure.

Degree Plan

I am currently pursuing my Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction at the University of Purdue Global. This program offers concentrations in behavior analysis, addictions, general psychology, forensic psychology, or industrial organization. I will be focusing on addictions and recovery because I believe this program is in line with my values. I will learn and contribute in different ways to the community upon completion of the course. This program requires an internship and a prescribed sequence. It can be completed within two years and caters to accommodating working professionals by offering a part-time basis curriculum. In North Carolina, this degree program requires both Ph.D. and PsyD students to complete a thesis and a dissertation; therefore, I will be taking a thesis option because am my long-term goal in psychology program is to pursue a Ph.D.

Master’s in psychology degree programs require a bachelor’s degree with qualification coursework in statistics, psychological theory, and research methods. A psychology major is not a necessity for entry, but some programs require a minimum cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) or minimum grade requirements (GRE). The needed minimum G.P.A. is typically 3.0, but a bit higher for the competitive G.P.A. Scores from the GRE are usually required, along with a personal statement, letters of reference, and a resume outlining relevant academic and research experience. In some Universities, applicants may be required to describe how the degree will aid them in achieving career goals upon graduation.

Licensure/Credentialing Plan

Required Licensure/Credentialing

Every state requires professional counselors to be licensed and have state certification to practice as a professional counselor legally. To be licensed in North Carolina, one must be accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association or the A.P.A., or any with comparable requirements. The certification and licensure standards help in protecting the public’s safety. There is a difference between certification and licensure. Licensure is used to legally define who can provide services or have the title of a licensed counselor in different states. The State licensure acts as a permission to the counselor from a particular state government to identify oneself as L.C.P. or practice counselor. All States have different licensure levels for counselors; some have a two-tiered system and some a single license depending on the law. NBCC’s certification, on the other hand, offers the flagship certification (N.C.C.) a voluntary credential showing to the public members and potential clients that the counselor is qualified and has passed the national standards according to the counseling professions.

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certificate (CRCC) and the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) provide certification opportunities for individuals willing to become substance abuse counselors. NBCC offers the N.C.C. (National Certified Counselor) and three specialty certifications in school counseling, addictions, and clinical mental health (Rossen, Guiney, Peterson, & Silva, 2019). With the NBCC certification, potential clients and other people will recognize that I have voluntarily met standards set by the Board as an addiction counselor. The requirements needed to earn board certification are completion of a Master’s degree or higher in counseling majoring in counseling, complete 3,000 hours of counseling experience, and 100 hours of supervision, two years after completing my masters.  However, these requirements are not a must for graduates in CACREP- accredited program. A National Certified Counselor has to pass either the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or the National Counselor Examination (N.C.E.) and any other exams specific to addiction majors. After getting board certification, I will need a State License as a Licensed Professional Counselor (L.P.C.). State licensure boards use N.C.E. or NCMHCE examinations or both and check the counseling experience and supervision hours.

To work as a licensed counselor, one will need a graduate degree, then take a Master’s degree in counseling and focus on addiction counseling programs. Master’s degree accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs earning between 50 and 60 credits score of graduate studies. The CACREP is the preferred accreditor. It accredits masters and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialties that universities and colleges offer. Another crucial step is completing postgraduate internship experience for licensure and board certification requirements. At both masters and Bachelor’s levels, students embed internships and practicums into the curriculum, which aid in applying skills and knowledge in real-world settings. Master of Science (M.S.) in counseling focusing on addiction counseling require around 50 to 60 credits of graduate coursework, which the student has to complete in two years. One must also complete at least 300 hours of supervised counseling practicum experience while undertaking the program and 3,000 hours of internship experience under the supervision of a board-approved supervisor within one-and-half years of graduation. Lastly, one has to pass the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam (N.J.E.) and the National Counseling Exam (N.C.E.).  The Master’s degree will provide advanced skill development and research training required for the state’s licensure and Board’s certification.

North Carolina State Licensure

In North Carolina State, the North Carolina Psychology Board issues psychology licenses. It is a complex process that requires the applicant to complete specific educational requirements, apply to the Board, acquire supervised clinical experience after graduating, and pass national and state exams. After sending the application to the Psychology Board and meet the requirements, one gets approved to take the licensing exams. The first exam is the EPPP at a fee of $650, which one must score 500 or more. The second exam is the North Carolina State Examination at a fee of $200, which one must at least score 78% of the questions right. After passing the exams, the person earns a provisional license. However, to make a permanent psychologist license in this state, one will need to complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience practicing psychology with at least 1,500 hours after finishing the doctoral degree. Notably, at least 25% of the hours, the applicant must have directly worked with patients, for example, by administering psychological assessments, conducting therapy, or making diagnoses. One must also meet with a licensed psychologist during this period for supervision for at least two hours weekly. After completing the supervised hours, one can apply to attain a permanent license to the Board. Notably, Master’s degree programs vary in length but require approximately two years of full-time study and 35-45 credit hours. After completing the Master’s degree, one will need a doctoral degree in psychology either (Ph.D.) or (PsyD), which will earn the person a permanent license.

Additional Requirements

To keep the psychology license active in North Carolina, one should apply for its renewal every two years for a fee of $250. For the renewal to succeed, one must have completed at least 18 continuing education (C.E.) hours within those years of practice. Three C.E. hours, the counselor must have engaged in ethical and legal issues and at least nine hours conduct organized events or online courses. Licensure in North Carolina differs from other states; therefore, one cannot automatically transfer a license from another state to North Carolina. The individual must meet the criteria for licensure in North Carolina and pass the EPPP.

Career Plan

Career Goals

Addictions are powerful and, on most occasions, change individuals’ lives for the worst. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, close to 20 million or more American Adults above 12 years struggled with Addiction from substance usage in 2014. I am driven to be the best as a counselor. I want to work somewhere where I will have opportunities to develop my skills, take on interesting projects, and work with people I can learn from because for my license and accreditation; I need to have experience. After graduation, within three years, I would like to work with the most innovative thinkers in the industry and build a career there. I desire to become a licensed professional counselor to help clients overcome challenges associated with mental illness, substance abuse, and other struggles. My short-term goals after graduating will be working in rehabilitation and clinical centers. The experience, education, and exam requirements will help in being endorsed Licensed Professional Counselor title by the state.

My long-term goal is to open someday my own Counseling Office Concentrating on Addiction. I will concentrate on offering private consulting practices and potentially working with a large group of clients, hence developing my counseling skills as a licensed professional counselor on private practice. If my plan goes as predicted, working with amazing managers will help develop into a great licensed professional counselor, something I am excited about. Therefore, after completing my Master’s Degree in Addictions and Recovery and a few years of working experience, I will go back to clinical psychology to get my Ph.D. to acquire 50-80 credits. My career goal is to provide hope and assistance to people struggling with Addiction as many people as possible. Therefore, I will need licensing and furthering my education level.

A post-graduate-level addiction counseling degree increases the scope of a counselor’s work compared to a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree qualification will have many restrictions in my line of work hence the need to acquire a master’s. To become a licensed counselor (Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors) in the state, I will need to graduate clinical experience of 1,000 clinical hours. I will complete the clinical internship in rehabilitation facilities to gain interpersonal and communication skills that will come handy in my career.

Additional Education, Licensure, or Credentialing

Writing and quantitative skills are significant areas of deficiencies that shut out many psychology majors from their desired careers. To excel in my career path, I will need to seek out courses that address and emphasize these skills. For example, as I major in Addiction and recovery, I will minor in communication studies to help in career development. Writing Center will also play a significant role in improving my writing skills.

Career Center Resources

Sometimes, it might be challenging for an individual to choose the best-fit job for him/herself. Career centers help people assess their desires and skills to find a suitable career. Different career centers offer services that help students enter the job market, those looking to change fields, or even individuals intending to reboot their careers after a break. I have already decided on the type of career I want to pursue. However, landing a counseling job in a recognized institution can be challenging, especially in this competitive marketplace. After degree completion, career centers will help look for credible internship listings and referrals. Most of them have access to placements openings that lack in major job boards because, unlike the latter, institutions and employers reach out personally to career advisers. Moreover, career centers will provide advice after the internship when needed to develop my career ladder.

Other Purdue Global Resources

An addiction counselor requires a well-rounded set of academic skills. First, good grades are needed. Secondly, writing skills are as well essential. Most psychology majors are shut out from their exciting careers because of a lack of writing skills. Purdue Global resources such as the Writing Center provide different tips and tricks applicable to academic writing that massively improve one’s grades. I will take advantage of the services offered in the Writing Center to help in my communication studies minor and career development when dealing with various clients. Notably, they offer free and interactive tutoring online to students by highly trained and dedicated online tutors. I will use this platform for the learning experience and improve my credit score. These resources are vital for learning success for all students regardless of the field. Strong writing skills are essential in improving treatment outcomes, client advocacy, and better-continued treatment. Having such skills will increase the opportunity to excel career-wise and have the chance to contribute more significant input into treatment content. Lack of writing might hold me back from jobs that I might have otherwise exceled if I had the opportunity. Therefore, I will use Writing Centers and other resources to improve my writing skills and grades. I will be using these resources as online editing and proofreading resources to produce better work at school. For example, the Readability Score will ensure that I check on the level of writing. Is my language too complicated or too simple for the clients? We often make grammatical errors and spell unknowingly; using available options in the Writing Center will strengthen my writing skills. As a newly certified or licensed counselor, I will need writing skills helpful in communicating findings. Addiction and mental health counseling are a communication business; hence, they require professionals to learn how to interpret spoken and written words. P.G. will help with my language development both as a student and a professional.

Resources Outside of PG

A degree alone will not make me a great professional counselor, nor the ability to write reliable research papers prepare me with dealing with different clients struggling with mental health problems or substance disorders. Mentoring and professional societies are widely known as critical factors for skills development, career advancement, success, and socio-emotional support (Ward, Hargrave, Brown, Halkett, & Hogg, 2017). Career mentors play an essential role in providing career-growth opportunities and helping graduates improve their skills. I will use my mentor for advice and guidance and expand my interconnected networks and receive a higher level of professional knowledge. He/she will also help choose a career concentration that will complement the Psychology major in Addiction and recovery. Mentors provide more exposure and visibility to mentees; therefore, I will use professional services for more sponsorship. Having a better relationship with the mentor will help me gain a sharper focus on what I need to grow professionally, hence increasing career networks and exposure. In my studies, having mentors will be useful when I need assistance with ideas and honest feedback about my grades or programs I am undertaking. As a student, it would be helpful having someone who has gone through the same career path advice. The mentor will outline the competencies I am required to strengthen and point the skills I lack that I need to acquire. I plan to create a long-term mentoring process with a professionally proficient mentor who will fulfill my course and career requirements until I reach my goals. I plan on applying to a doctoral program in psychology to further my career. I will consult my mentor and the A.P.A. Graduate Study in Psychology book for specific programs and the best program to partake.

Conclusion

With this curriculum program, I will learn how to identify, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses and treat substance misuse. Populations worldwide are challenged by increased drug abuse and mental illness rates hence needing more skilled counselors, clinicians, and educators. By pursuing a Masters in Psychology majoring in Addiction and Recovery, I will get the opportunity to help individuals and underserved groups at risk. Upon degree completion, I will acquire licensing to serve these groups better.

References

Rossen, E., Guiney, M., Peterson, C., & Silva, A. (2019). Alignment of CPD/CE requirements for credential renewal with best practices for professional learning in psychology and school psychology. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 50(2), 87.

Ward, E. C., Hargrave, C., Brown, E., Halkett, G., & Hogg, P. (2017). Achieving success in clinically based research: the importance of mentoring. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 64(4), 315-320.

Licensure/Credentialing Requirements

North Carolina Psychology Licensure Requirements

https://www.nbcc.org/certification/licensure

https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements/overview-of-state-licensing-of-professional-counselors