- 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
CS-A

Deepen your knowledge and practical skills to engage effectively with individuals, groups, and families struggling with problematic substance use.
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
Program-specific
- Successful completion of VCC's Counselling Skills Foundational Certificate program or equivalent
- English language proficiency at a minimum Grade 12 'C+' level
Upon Acceptance:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC). In accordance to the Criminal Records Review Act, all individuals who work with vulnerable adults and/or children must complete a Criminal Records Check through the Ministry of Justice. Applicants to the program will be responsible for any costs incurred in the Criminal Record Check.
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
Courses
*
Certificate tuition is $5657.
Additional fees may apply, as well as costs for text books and other supplies.
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.
- 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.
Apply now
PHONE
EMAIL
MAIL
Fill out an application form (PDF) and mail to:
VCC Continuing Studies
250 West Pender St.
Vancouver, B.C., V6B 1S9
VCC Continuing Studies
250 West Pender St.
Vancouver, B.C., V6B 1S9
counsellingskills@vcc.ca
8635
142
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