Is It True You Only Need a High School Diploma and Certification to Be a Substance Abuse Counselor?
Question by noname: Is it true you only need a high school diploma and certification to be a substance abuse counselor?
Hi, I’m a 31 year old mom and wife that is about to finish my associates degree in psychology next year and I want to get into counseling. I decided to return to college because I’m tired of dead end jobs and want to finish something I started years ago. As soon as I returned to college, I started getting straight A’s in all my classes and have so much enthusiasm to continue, yet I don’t want to be stuck in college until I’m 40 for my career to begin. The maximum I would like to invest is three more years, perhaps even four. I heard that with a bachelor’s in psychology you can’t really do much =-/. I want a better future for my family but I won’t settle for studying something I don’t like just because it’s short…like medical asst. I heard that to be a substance abuse counselor you don’t even have to have a master’s degree and some people only need a high school diploma in addition to some training to get certified…is that true? If so, where can I find out more? How much do these substance abuse counselors w/o the master’s make anyway? Or should I just stick to getting a bachelor’s in psychology and aim for the master’s while working in a job my bachelor’s can qualify me for?
Best answer:
Answer by miki
it is sadly true that many ppl are hired and called “substance abuse counselors” without any kind of appropriate education. however, the places that hire for these kind of jobs are NOT places you would want to work. they are understaffed, underfunded, and often unethical. they are usually in it for the money and not for helping addicts. no one can bill insurance without being licensed, and most states require a masters for this. so these companies are taking advantage of ppl with addictions and charging them out of pocket for substandard “therapy”. also some companies advertise about jobs to be an “counselor” at a rehab, when what the job really is is being staff for the residential programs – you work a shift and give meds, take ppl to appts, and yes talk to them, but not in an office like a therapist. not that this job is not important, but its just not what they make it sound like. believe me, i worked in alot of places with my bachelors in psychology, and it made me determined to get me masters. im glad i did and i have a great job that i love. and i actually had more money per month while in school with grants, loans, and an assistantship than i ever did working full time with my bachelors. go ahead and get your masters if you want to be a therapist.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Crossroads produces play based on Lake County heroin addicts' stories (with …
Filed under: substance abuse counselor
The play, produced through Crossroads and Theatre for Healthy Living and supported by the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Services Board, is slated to have its premiere performance March 6 during the Youth Summit hosted at the Auburn … Read more on News-Herald.com
Older unemployed struggling to find work
Filed under: substance abuse counselor
"I think it's my age," said Giordano, 62, a state-certified substance abuse counselor from Waterbury. "That's the impression I get because I'm meeting employers' criteria, and they're so happy when they speak to me over the phone. The minute they look … Read more on Waterbury Republican American