Addiction Counselling Skills – Advanced

CREDENTIAL: Advanced Certificate

Deepen your knowledge and practical skills to engage effectively with individuals, groups, and families struggling with problematic substance use.

Tuition: *

Credential: Advanced Certificate

Hours: Part- or Full-time

Format: Class-based/Online

Campus: Varies

Start Dates: Apr, Sep

What you will learn

Empathetic approaches in working with people struggling with problematic substance use
Supportive counselling techniques for individual, family, and group settings
Evidence-based models, tools, and interventions specific to substance use
Trauma-informed practice
The impacts of historic and systemic oppression
Indigenous health models and cultural safety
The values of inclusion and social justice
Concepts of a helping relationship (respect, self-awareness, ethics)
Effective communication
Language as an agent of social change
Self-awareness and challenging of assumptions

What to expect

Practical and experiential learning
Emphasis on skills and integration of knowledge and practice
Lectures
Seminars
Group discussions and activities
Demonstrations
Guest lectures
Videos
Clinical simulations
Field trips
Presentations
Group projects
Exams
Research
Assignments
Lab work
Portfolios
Self-assessment and reflection
Supervised community practicum

Admission requirements

General

This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Program options for international students can be found at VCC International.
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free in academic upgrading, university transfer or English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses.

Recommended Characteristics

Basic computer skills
Familiarity and comfort with basic research skills
Ability to give and receive feedback
Maturity, emotional stability and a suitability to work in a helping role
A sufficient level of self-awareness and personal and professional development to be able to attend to another person
An interest in helping people and willingness to work in support positions in community settings

Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
CNSK 2502	Foundations of Addiction Counselling Skills	2.0
CNSK 2503	Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice	1.5
CNSK 2504	Introduction to Concurrent Disorders	1.5
CNSK 2506	Addiction and Human Behaviour Across the Lifespan	3.0
CNSK 2507	Addiction and Public Policy	1.5
CNSK 2508	Addiction Assessment Skills	2.0
CNSK 2509	Group Facilitation Skills	2.5
CNSK 2510	Indigenous Perspectives and Addiction	1.5
CNSK 2511	Practicum	5
Total Credits		20.5

* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.