Certified Addictions Counselor Curriculum & Syllabus

Curriculum Overview

TAA 100

Understanding Addiction & Treatment Knowledge (80 hrs)

Addiction history, treatment models, dual diagnoses, pharmacology, behavioral addictions, and human development theories.

  • Overview of addiction and treatment/history

  • Understand and apply The Disease of Addiction and treatment options and modalities (overview)

  • Understand Etiology/Causation of Addiction and dependence liability

  • Involvement and Treatment of Family in Recovery

  • Understanding Other Substances and Behavioral Addictions

  • Understand and apply Differentiation between Tolerance vs. Dependence markers

  • Understand and apply basic pharmacology principles

  • Understanding the Relationship of Addiction to Health, Crime, and Other Social Problems

  • Understanding additional Treatment Components

  • Use of Support Groups

  • Understanding how human development and cognitive abilities form and relevancy to addiction

  • Understanding when addiction treatment protocols are necessary

  • Understand Dual or Triple Diagnoses (mental illness, HIV, mental disability)

  • Gain Knowledge of History of Addiction and/or Addiction Treatment

  • Apply the Models of Treatment/Evidence Based Progress

  • Pharmacology and Physiology (including alcohol) 45 hours specific

  • Learn Psychoactive drugs, toxic and therapeutic effects/uses

  • To gain knowledge in the Physical Aspects of Addiction, Brain Science

  • Signs, Symptoms, Progression of Addiction

  • Types of Service Modalities (residential, outpatient, etc.)

  • Understanding human development theories: Lifespan, Role Theory, Self-Actualization, Self in Relations, Attachment Theory, etc.

  • Understanding Nature vs. Nurture Concepts

TAA 101

Documentation (15 hrs)

Intake, assessment, clinical notes, summaries, privacy laws, and record-keeping best practices.

  • Utilizing Assessment Tools, Assessing Treatment Signs and Progress

  • Understanding Client Intake Procedures

  • Creating Proper Clinical Documentation

  • Understanding Privacy & Confidentiality

  • Understanding how to engage clients in the treatment process

  • Reports/Record Keeping/Records Management

  • Utilizing Client Screening Tools (those currently in use)

  • Understanding and Utilizing Discharge or Transfer Summaries

  • Understanding Electronic Health Records/Technology

  • Creating and Generating Progress Notes

  • Creating Psychosocial Summaries

TAA 102

Counseling Theories & Techniques (80 hrs)

Individual, group, and family counseling skills, motivational interviewing, group dynamics, and therapeutic alliances.

  • Client Progress Assessment and Response

  • Creating a Therapeutic Relationship with the client

  • Demonstrating Mirroring, Reflecting Listening, and Paraphrasing situations with the client (oral presentation/role play)

  • Applying Evidence-based Practices

  • Understanding Transference, Counter Transference

  • Demonstrating Communication Styles; Challenging, clarification, Reflection (role play)

  • Create and Understand Group Intervention

  • Understanding Group Therapy Dynamics

  • Application of Life Skills and implementation of problem-solving techniques in Group settings

  • Creating Safe Space in a Group

  • Understanding Group Intervention Techniques

  • Understating the differences between educational, psychoeducational, therapeutic, and self-help groups

  • Developing Counseling Theories/Techniques

  • Demonstrating Active and Empathetic Listening Skillset

  • Developing a Therapeutic Alliance with the client in 5 steps

  • Understand the relevance of Individual/Group/Family Counseling

  • Demonstrating Motivational Interviewing Techniques and 3 effective questioning techniques (oral presentation/role play)

  • Types of Treatment Programs/Levels of Treatment

  • Knowledge of Counseling Theory versus Counseling Practice

  • Creating Counselling Techniques in group settings

  • Establishing a therapeutic relationship setting

  • Creating and Demonstrating life skills in Group Techniques

  • Understanding Counseling Theory

  • Creation of group curriculum

TAA 103

Application to Practice & Professional Growth (50 hrs)

Crisis intervention, ethics, leadership, burnout prevention, and cultural competence.

  • Care for the Caregiver/Self Care

  • Understanding your limitations as a counselor

  • Demonstrating Crisis Intervention/Verbal De-escalation

  • Understanding Differences between Individual, Group, and Family Counseling Techniques (role play)

  • Understanding Management and Leadership Skills

  • Understanding Models of Treatment

  • Understanding Rules and Regulations that Govern Full Continuum of Services and Referrals

  • Demonstrating Supervision Techniques (role play)

  • Understanding Wellness, Alternative Therapies, Nutrition

  • Demonstration of Motivational Interviewing Techniques

  • Understanding Burnout and personal wellness

  • Understanding burnout and compassion fatigue

  • Understanding Ethics and Ethical Decision-making

  • Understanding Laws Governing Privacy, Confidentiality, and HIPAA

  • Understanding Medication-Assisted Treatment

  • Demonstration of Observation and Communication Skills (role play)

  • Demonstrating Knowledge of Special Population Needs/Cultural Competence

  • Understanding Research/Translating Research to Practice

  • Care Coordination

  • Demonstration of Trauma-Informed Care Approach

TAA 104

Treatment Planning & Special Populations (30 hrs)

Personalized treatment plans, evidence-based protocols, and serving diverse, high-risk populations.

  • Understanding Correct Client Placement Criteria

  • Understanding Drug Court/Correction-based Treatment/Policy/Theory

  • Utilizing Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Treatment Protocols

  • Understanding the needs of Women, LBGTQ, Indigenous Populations, Geriatric, High-Risk populations

  • Understanding Medication-assisted Treatmen

  • Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Progress

  • Understanding Mental health, dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders

  • Following Treatment Goals and Measuring Success

  • Developing Individualized Treatment Plans

  • Enhancing Client Choice/Client-Directed Care

  • Understanding Youth/Adolescent needs

  • Creating the proper Intake/Orientation to Treatment

  • Creating On-going Assessment

  • Creating Stages of Change and Treatment Goals/Interventions

  • Treatment Planning/Models of Treatment

TAA 105

Clinical Evaluation (35 hrs)

Assessment tools, DSM criteria, detox protocols, and co-occurring disorder screening.

  • Demonstrate how to assess drug and alcohol addiction

  • Understand Addiction & Human Growth/Development

  • Understanding Client Orientation

  • Assessment Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques

  • Understand how to Client Match to Service Array

  • Ability to Utilize DSM IV/Diagnosis Criteria / ASAM

  • Other Substance & Behavioral Addictions – Gambling/Smoking/Food

  • Understanding and Applying Risk Factors/Risk Assessment/Risk Management

  • Utilizing Screening/Assessment for Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders

  • Urinalysis and Other Biological Assessments

  • Understanding the Tools of Assessment

  • Demonstrate the Addictive Process and Readiness to Change Scale

  • Knowledge and use of Client Assessment and Screening Tools

  • Creating and Demonstrating Client Engagement

  • Understanding Detoxification Protocols

  • Understanding Motivational Interviewing

  • Applying Screening Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques

  • Understanding Signs/Symptoms/Stages of SUD, Active Use and Withdrawal

TAA 106

Client, Family & Community Education (50 hrs)

Adult learning theory, family interventions, cultural diversity, domestic violence, and life skills training.

  • Understanding and Applying Adult Learning Theory

  • Creating Client Education and Family Goal Setting

  • Understanding Co-Dependency and Moral Development

  • Understanding Domestic Violence

  • Knowledge of self-help groups, educational, psychoeducational, and therapeutic groups, and demonstration of each

  • Understanding and family interventions

  • Knowledge of family counseling techniques

  • Understanding Victim vs. Perpetrator Counseling

  • Knowledge of Anger Management Skills

  • Changing Criminal Behavior/Criminal Thinking Errors/Offender Treatment

  • Understanding Cultural Diversity/Special Populations

  • Knowledge of HIV/TB/Hepatitis C

  • Demonstrating Application of Life Skills

  • Understanding and Demonstrating Theories of Counseling Techniques in the Family vs. Group and Individual

  • Toxicology

TAA 107

Ethical, Legal & Professional Responsibilities (45 hrs)

Code of ethics, legal guidelines, boundaries, and organizational ethics.

  • Understanding Boundaries / Transference

  • Understanding Cultural Competence, supervision, and professional development

  • Understanding Policy in Human Services

  • Record keeping in terms of legal and ethical necessities

  • Understanding Relationships / Dual Relationships

  • Understanding client welfare is a primary concern

  • Understanding the relationship between referral sources and outside sources, counselors, and organizations

  • KKnowledge of Computer Ethics and online record keeping CRMS

  • Understanding and Application of Ethical Decision Making / Code of Ethics

  • Understanding Organizational Ethics

  • Demonstration of consent versus negligence

  • Understanding and Demonstration of Privacy / Confidentiality / HIPPA/Disclosure

  • Understanding Sexual Misconduct

  • Demonstrating Boundaries in the Therapeutic Relationship

  • Understanding the sensitive nature of financial issues of the client

TAA 108

Telehealth (15 hrs)

HIPAA-compliant platforms, documentation for online sessions, and telehealth protocols.

  • Understanding Telehealth

  • Understanding HIPAA compliant software programs

  • Understanding Limitations of Telehealth

  • Knowledge of DEA guidelines for prescriptions

  • Knowledge of Medicaid and Private pay guidelines

  • Understanding Health Privacy Rules

  • Understanding client portals and EMR systems

  • Knowledge of Covid 19 Exceptions, considerations, and new models

  • Creating Documentation for online sessions

  • Knowledge of SAMSHA Guidelines

  • Demonstrating Correct reporting techniques

  • Facilitating Resources/links for more information

TAA 109

Case Management & Referral (45 hrs)

Care coordination, community resources, confidentiality, and outcome evaluation.

  • Creating Advocacy/Liaison Activities

  • Creating Client Referrals and service platform coordination

  • Understanding Continuum of Care/Placement and aftercare follow up- follow-through

  • Following the Referral Outcome/Evaluation

  • Understanding Special Population Needs

  • Understanding Case Management Roles and Functions

  • Creating Community Resources/Services

  • Creating and Implementation of Consultation with other Professionals/ Self-help Groups

  • Understanding and Utilizing Managed Care Systems

  • Creating the proper Service/Care Coordination/Collaboration

Delivery & Requirements

Format

100% online, self-paced

Duration

Complete in 3–6 months (full access for 14 months)

Assessments

Quizzes, role plays, and final evaluations (70% passing grade required)

Accreditation

Accepted in the USA, Canada, EU, and 25+ countries (IC&RC & CACCF standards)

Two Flexible Ways to Train

We know every student’s goals and budget are different. That’s why we offer two options:

Full Certification Track

$4,997 one time

Full Certification Track

  • All 10 TAA modules included (445 hours)

  • Board-exam ready

  • Save over $500 compared to purchasing separately

  • 14 months access, go at your own pace

  • Optional practicum included

Monthly Module Track

$499 per month

Whats Included

  • Get one module every month

  • Easy spaced out payments for financial flexibility

  • Fully accredited hours that count toward the complete certification as you learn

Still Have Questions?

Our Admissions Counselors are here to help.

 Call 1.800.706.0318 or [click here to talk to a program advisor].