Chemical Dependency Prevention and Counseling
Are you interesting in working with Substance Use Disorders, Mental Health, Criminal Justice, or Heath Care? Penn State Lehigh Valley offers a certificate in the ever-growing and critically important field of Chemical Dependency Prevention and Counseling. If you’re interested in working in human services fields, have a passion to help those struggling with addiction, or families impacted by substance use and dependency, this certificate offers a tremendous pathway forward.
Taught by highly experienced faculty, this 18-credit program will introduce you to concepts related to chemical dependency, prevention, and treatment, while examining the models, theories, and research relevant today.
In addition, upon completing the program you’ll have earned the 270 hours of education required by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) for certification as an addictions counselor.
What are the benefits of selecting this certificate?
- All course required for this certificate are offered virtually
- Gain fundamental information on chemical dependency and recovery
- Provides a background in the field of substance use disorders for a variety of disciplines (i.e. mental health, social work, criminal justice, physical rehabilitation, etc.)
- Students can diversify their skills, making them more marketable in the work force
- Good to include on a resume
- Provides students with the educational requirements necessary for state certification
What do students need to do to earn the Certificate?
- Complete the 6 required courses (18 credits)
- 2 courses are required for the RHS major (RHS 301 and RHS 303)
- The additional 4 courses can simultaneously serve as electives, thus RHS students would not need to take any additional credits beyond the required 120.
- RHS 301- Introduction to Counseling as a Profession- Overview of the counseling theories that are often used in human service and rehabilitation practices.
- RHS 303- Group Work in Rehabilitation Practice and Human Services- An overview of essential elements and dynamics for conducting groups and various team-related activities will be the major focus.
- BBH 143- Drugs, Behavioral, and Health- This course will review fundamental information about recreational and therapeutic drugs, along with the impact of substance use on the health and well-being of the individual and the underlying reasons for drug use and misuse. The effects on society, social norms related to drug use, laws pertaining to use, and the historic context of substance use will be explored.
- CNED 401- Foundations of Chemical Dependency Counseling- An overview of diagnosis and assessment, models for chemical dependency prevention, counseling, and recovery; contexts of chemical dependency treatment.
- CNED 420- Chemical Dependency: Youth at Risk- Study of youth who are at-risk of developing chemical dependency including the characteristics and factors related to chemical dependency or CNED 416- Interpersonal Relationships and Alcohol and Other Drugs Dependency- This course examines families with chemically dependent members, dynamics, appropriate interventions, and treatment.
- CNED 421- Counseling Strategies for Preventing Chemical Dependency- Study of youth who are at-risk of developing chemical dependency including the characteristics and factors related to chemical dependency.
It is important to note that students who wish to participate in the certificate program MUST select the certificate in Lionpath to have it included in their degree audit.
Contact
Teri Kistler
Tc Lecture of Rhs, Health and Human Development Division
[email protected]
Teri Kistler had a 20-plus year career in addiction and mental health prior to switching roles and teaching at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Although Kistler has only taught at PSU-LV, she says she feels the campus is something special. “One thing I believe is unique is the relationship we have with the students. Having smaller class sizes gives us the opportunity to get to know our students and provide them with the support they need to be successful both in and out of the classroom. We witness their transformation from student to professional, working in their internship,” she said. “I love the interaction with students and knowing I am helping to prepare the next generation of human service professionals.”
