Pennsylvania Associate Addiction Counselor II (AACII) Initial Certification (200 hours)
DOMAIN: SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT (45 Hours)
Computerized Assessment of Substance Abuse (CASA) (4 hours)
Substance Abuse Screening and Assessment in Criminal Justice Systems (6 hours)
Booting Up the System- Case Management Models, Principles and Practices (3 hours)
Screening and Assessment of Clients in the Criminal Justice System (6 hours)
Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment (3 hours)
Treatment Needs and Strategies for Individuals in Various Criminal Justice Settings (12 hours)
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 1 (4 hours)
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 2 (3 hours)
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 3 (4 hours)
DOMAIN: TREATMENT PLANNING, COLLABORATION, AND REFERRAL (62 Hours)
Treatment Planning:Utilizing the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) (3 hours)
Group Treatments for Addiction (6 hours)
Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Addiction using Buprenorphine (6 hours)
Treating Early Life Trauma-Related Issues in Early Recovery From Addictive Disorders (4 hours)
Treating Chronic Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorders: Individual and Group Counseling Strategies (6 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy (5 hours)
A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction (CBA-1) Module 1 (4 hours)
A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction (CBA-2) Module 2 (4 hours)
Implementing Change in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs (3 hours)
An Introduction to Treatment Medications: What Every Counselor Should Know (4 hours)
Anger Management for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients (3 hours)
Overview of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse Treatment (8 hours)
Managing Depressive Symptoms in Substance Abuse Clients During Early Recovery (6 hours)
DOMAIN: COUNSELING (62 Hours)
Counseling for Marijuana Dependence – A Manual for Treating Adults (6 hours)
Relapse Prevention Counseling (4 hours)
Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (Module 1) (3 hours)
Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (Module 2) (3 hours)
Treatment of Anger and Aggression in Early Recovery (6 hours)
Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment (6 Hours)
Overview of Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment (4 hours)
Commitment to Change – Habits That Block Change (4 hours)
Commitment to Change – Overcoming Errors in Thinking (4 hours)
Commitment to Change – The Power of Consequences (4 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part I (3 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part II (4 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part III (3 hours)
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part IV (4 hours)
Coping With Feelings and Moods (4 hours)
DOMAIN: PROFESSIONAL & ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES (31 Hours)
Ethical Decision Making for Counselors (4 hours)
Ethical Practice with Special Populations (3 hours)
The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 hours)
Personal Wellness for Substance Abuse Counselors (3 hours)
Clinical Supervision: Models, Roles and Responsibilities, Ethics and Legal Issues (3 hours)
Competencies for Substance Abuse Treatment Clinical Supervisors (3 hours)
HIV and Other Blood-Borne Infections in Drug Users (6 hours)
Retraining and Updating on Currently Abused Drugs (3 hours)
Cluckers, Clockers, Cookers: An Introduction to Drug Control Policy for Substance Abuse Counselors (3 hours)
Lessons
Substance Abuse Screening and Assessment in Criminal Justice Systems (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
A 6-hour course designed to help the learner to understand the principles, elements, procedures, and issues in screening and assessing for substance abuse and HIV/AIDS issues/needs in the criminal justice system. Goals/Objectives By participating in this internet based course the trainee will: 1. Identify the issues associated with assessment. 2. Understand the difference between screening …
Screening and Assessment of Clients in the Criminal Justice System (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 6-hour course addresses the issues relevant to screening and assessment and makes recommendations for the appropriate use of screening and assessment tools in specific settings within the criminal justice system. For information on how to use screening and assessment to match the offender to services and to identify an appropriate treatment plan, see the …
Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
Based on TIP 50 Persons with substance abuse problems who are in treatment consistently show a high prevalence of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. This course is designed for frontline counselors in substance abuse treatment programs, individuals who work with individuals who have both a substance abuse and mental health disorder, or individuals who provide …
Treatment Needs and Strategies for Individuals in Various Criminal Justice Settings (12 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 12-hour course is designed to explore specific treatment needs and strategies for individuals in particular criminal justice settings. Each of the four chapters of this course will look at one of the following specific settings: Treatment Issues Specific to Pretrial and Diversion Settings Treatment Issues Specific to Jails Treatment Issues Specific to Prisons Treatment …
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 1 (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is based on a NIDA therapy manual for drug addiction series. CRA+Vouchers is the focus of this course. This treatment integrates a community reinforcement approach (CRA), originally developed as an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, with an incentive program(Vouchers) wherein patients can earn points exchangeable for retail items by remaining in treatment and …
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 2 (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is based on a NIDA therapy manual for addiction series. CRA+Vouchers is the focus of this course..This treatment integrates a community reinforcement approach (CRA), originally developed as an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, with an incentive program (Vouchers) wherein patients can earn points exchangeable for retail items by remaining in treatment and cocaine …
A Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction Module 3 (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is based on a NIDA therapy manual for addiction series. CRA+Vouchers is the focus of this course. This treatment integrates a community reinforcement approach (CRA), originally developed as an effective treatment for alcohol dependence, with an incentive program (Vouchers) wherein patients can earn points exchangeable for retail items by remaining in treatment and …
Treatment Planning:Utilizing the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) 3 hours(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course seeks to transform required “paperwork” into clinically useful information. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is one of the most widely used tools for the assessment of substance use-related problems. Addiction counselors working in community-based treatment centers administer the ASI yet often fail to use findings to identify client problems, develop individualized treatment plans, …
Group Treatments for Addiction (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is based on the treatment manual “Group Treatments for Addiction” by Dr. Dennis C. Daley, Professor of Psychiatry and Chief of Addiction Medicine Services at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. It is designed to help counselors and clinicians who conduct recovery or therapy groups in treatment programs for substance use disorders or …
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Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Addiction using Buprenorphine (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is designed for physicians to make practical and informed decisions about the treatment of opioid addiction with buprenorphine. The course addresses the history of treatment of opioid addiction, current state of treatment, buprenorphine profiles, pharmacology, effectiveness, patient assessment, treatment appropriateness, treatment protocols, and policies and procedures in the use of buprenorphine. Course Goals/objectives: …
Treating Early Life Trauma-Related Issues in Early Recovery From Addictive Disorders (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 4 hour course presents the primary elements and issues associated with early recovery from addictive disorders when early life trauma is a factor in the recovery process. Issues such as neglect, control, abandonment, trust, safety, stabilization, and affected brain areas are presented. In addition, the course discusses some therapeutic interventions and future directions for …
Treating Chronic Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorders: Individual and Group Counseling Strategies (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is designed for mental health and addiction counselors and other professionals working with clients who have chronic mental disorders such as schizophrenia and a co-occurring substance use disorder. These combined conditions are referred to as “dual disorders” or “co-occurring disorders.” The course provides practical treatment guidelines and strategies for working with these clients. …
Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy (5 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 5 hour course presents an overview of the role and efficacy of group therapy in substance abuse treatment. It presents critical research and clinical findings and distills them into practical guidelines for practitioners who utilize group therapy in substance abuse treatment settings. The course is designed to help treatment professionals expand their awareness and …
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A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction (CBA-1) Module 1 (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
Free PreviewThis course(Module) is the first of two courses based on a NIDA developed therapy manual, CBA-1, for drug addiction. The course is intended for use by drug abuse treatment practitioners, mental health professionals, and all others concerned with the treatment of drug addiction. Cognitive-Behavior coping skills treatment (CBT) is a short-term, focused approach to helping …
A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction (CBA-2) Module 2 (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course (Module) is the second of two courses based on a NIDA developed therapy manual for drug addiction treatment. The course is intended for use by drug abuse treatment practitioners, mental health professionals, and all others concerned with the treatment of drug addiction. Cognitive-Behavioral coping skills treatment (CBT) is a short-term, focused approach to …
Implementing Change in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs, (3 hours), TAP 31(Pennsylvania AACII)
Based on TAP 31. This course provides guidance on how to integrate evidence-based practices (EPBs) for substance abuse treatment into clinical practice. The course explains how to assess an organizations capacity to identify priorities, implement changes, evaluate programs, and sustain effective programs over the long run.Course Goals/objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student should …
An Introduction to Treatment Medications: What Every Counselor Should Know (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
Course Summary: This course is designed as a quick reference for psychotherapeutic medications for substance abuse and mental health treatment providers. The course presents a list of medications ranging from anti-psychotics to addiction treatment medications. Each medication is discussed according to: • purpose • usual dose, frequency, and side effects • potential for abuse or …
Anger Management for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Clients (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
Course Summary: Substance use and abuse often coexist with anger and violence. This course is designed to introduce students to a manual that was developed for use by qualified substance abuse counselors who work with substance abuse and mental health clients with concurrent anger problems. The treatment model described in the manual consists of a …
Overview of Group Therapy for Substance Abuse Treatment (8 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 8 hour course presents an overview of the role and efficacy of group therapy in substance abuse treatment. It presents critical research and clinical findings and distills them into practical guidelines for practitioners who utilize group therapy in substance abuse treatment settings. The course is designed to help treatment professionals expand their awareness and …
Managing Depressive Symptoms in Substance Abuse Clients During Early Recovery (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is designed for substance abuse counselors who work with clients who are experiencing depressive symptoms. Topics in the course range from the relationship between depressive symptoms and substance use disorders to screening/assessment and treatment planning. The course also provides useful information for dealing with depressive symptoms for professionals with advanced degrees or clinical …
Counseling for Marijuana Dependence – A Manual for Treating Adults (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 6-hour course provides guidelines for counselors, social workers, and psychologists in both public and private settings who treat adults dependent on marijuana. It utilizes the Center for Substance Abuse manual for Brief Counseling for Marijuana Dependence (BCMD) that is based on the research protocol used by counselors in the Marijuana Treatment Project. The one-on-one …
Relapse Prevention Counseling (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is designed to help clinicians and counselors understand and facilitate the process of recovery among addicted clients and reduce their risk of relapse. The primary focus is reviewing clinical strategies to help clients reduce relapse risk or intervene early in the relapse process, and describe clinical tools that can be incorporated into individual, …
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Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (Module 1) (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is based on information found in the manual Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (TAP 21) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This manual is DHHS publication No. (SMA) 08-4171 and can be obtained free of …
Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (Module 2) (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is based on information found in the manual Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Professional Practice (TAP 21) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This manual is DHHS publication No. (SMA) 08-4171 and can be obtained free of …
Treatment of Anger and Aggression in Early Recovery (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
Upon completion of the program, the participant will be able to: 1. Understand that anger may be a strategy used to preserve a client’s need for control when situations arise causing fear of loss of control; 2. Discuss the importance of establishing rapport and setting limits with clinical populations; 3. Recognize factors that increase the …
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Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment (6 Hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 6-hour course utilizes information presented in TIP 35 Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment. It is an introductory course focusing on the stages of change and motivational interviewing. It embraces a fundamentally different way to conceptualize motivation. In this approach, motivation is viewed as a dynamic and changeable state rather than a …
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Overview of Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment, 4 hours(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is designed to present a concise and easy-to-read introduction to the latest in Co-Occurring Disorders. Eight topics are covered ranging from definitions of terms to epidemiology of Co-Occurring Disorders. The course is designed for mental health and substance abuse clinical providers, other providers, and agencies and systems through which clients enter the Co-Occurring …
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Commitment to Change – Habits That Block Change (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
Correcting errors in thinking is basic. The other half is the BEHAVIOR that results from these thoughts. Tactics are habitual ways of acting that keep people stuck in destructive lives. Habits and Tactics are ways to take control and build walls to shut out those who would help us. They block the most crucial step …
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Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part I (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is the first in a series of four courses designed for substance abuse treatment counselors; family therapists are a secondary audience. The course should be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about family therapy. The purpose of the course is to help counselors and family therapists acquire a basic understanding …
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part II (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is the second in a series of four courses designed for substance abuse treatment counselors; family therapists are a secondary audience. The course should be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about family therapy. The purpose of the course is to help counselors and family therapists acquire a basic understanding …
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part III (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This module(course) discusses how families in which one or more members has a substance abuse problem, substance abuse treatment and family therapy can be integrated to provide effective solutions to multiple problems. The integrated treatment models described in this module can serve as a guide for conjoint treatment approaches. In addition, this module discusses the …
Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy TIP 39 Part IV (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This module(course), fourth in a series of four, provides information about specific populations; children, adolescents, and older adults; women; cultural, racial, and ethnic groups; gays and lesbians; people with physical and cognitive disabilities; people in rural locations; and people with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. In addition, information is provided regarding people who are …
Coping With Feelings and Moods (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course reveals to counselors how individuals in recovery from an alcohol or drug problem or a mental health problem can learn about emotions and develop strategies to cope with them. Inability to understand, recognize and manage feelings creates problems in relationships and is a risk factor for relapse following a period of sobriety. This …
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Ethical Decision Making for Counselors (4 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 4-hour course discusses all of the elements that need to be considered in an ethical decision making process. There is a brief review of ethical theories and definitions, discussion of ethical principles with application to a case study, review of legal terms and legal concerns, and discussion questions at the end of each section …
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Ethical Practice with Special Populations (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 3- hour course is an advanced level course for professionals who have had introductory ethics and have been practicing for several years. It covers four clinical populations which typically present ethical dilemmas for helping professionals: culturally diverse clients, clients from the criminal justice system, adolescent clients and clients with co-occurring disorders. Each module in …
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The Importance of Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 3 hour course provides an exploration of the field of criminal justice ethics, which broadly encompasses the history of justice and theories of morality and ethics from antiquity to the modern age. One of the purposes of such a survey is that students will be able to express an understanding of schools of thought …
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Personal Wellness for Substance Abuse Counselors (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
Substance abuse counselors may be at higher risk for stress and burnout than other counselors because they work with chronic and difficult clients. Intuitively, it makes sense that working with clients who abuse substances is frustrating, emotionally exhausting, tiresome, often thankless, a greater risk, and not without problems of lower salary. This 3-hour course will …
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Clinical Supervision: Models, Roles and Responsibilities, Ethics and Legal Issues (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 3-hour course is for anyone considering a supervisory position or who has been practicing as a clinical supervisor. It provides an overview of supervision models, roles and responsibilities of supervisors including ethical and legal issues, and discussion of the developmental model of supervision as it applies to counselors and supervisors. A self-inventory, discussion questions …
Competencies for Substance Abuse Treatment Clinical Supervisors (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course is based on information found in the manual Competencies for Substance Abuse Treatment Clinical Supervisors (TAP 21-A) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This manual is DHHS publication No. (SMA) 08-4243 and can be obtained free of charge from the DHHS. …
HIV and Other Blood-Borne Infections in Drug Users (6 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This course consists of a manual developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that has been scientifically tested for community-based outreach to reduce the risk of HIV and other blood-borne infections in drug users. The model described in this manual is based on many years of research. The model has been implemented and …
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Retraining and Updating on Currently Abused Drugs (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This is an information booster and refresher course for addiction professionals. It provides current information on the issues, facts, and figures for ten drugs being used and abused today. Each of the drugs is addressed according to the following topics: Overview, extent of use, health effects, treatment, arrests and sentencing, production and trafficking, legislation, and …
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Cluckers, Clockers, Cookers: An Introduction to Drug Control Policy for Substance Abuse Counselors (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 3-hour course will help develop the student’s understanding of the national and international strategic drug control policies. The student will also gain insight into the complex issues of drug marketing, trafficking, and the various control methods. Knowledge in these areas will give the counselor the confidence to converse with clients who may need to …
Booting Up the System- Case Management Models, Principles and Practices (3 hours)(Pennsylvania AACII)
This 3-hour course presents an overview of the elements of casework or case management. Case management involves monitoring and supervising a substance abuser’s progress according to a variety of models, principles, and practices. This course also stresses intervention and assessment to prepare the learner for dealing with the substance abuser during the treatment process. Goals/Objectives …