Substance Abuse Counselor Training in Connecticut - CT

Substance abuse counselor training in Connecticut comes in many forms.  First, licensed substance abuse counselors in Connecticut must hold a master’s degree, usually in a field directly related to behavioral health, and complete a significant number of courses devoted to counseling theories and group counseling techniques.  Prior to certification or licensure, Connecticut substance abuse counselors must also complete 240 hours of additional addiction-specific training.  These additional training courses cover a wide range of topics including counseling theory and technique, pharmacology, patient assessment and treatment planning, ethical issues, counseling patients with AIDS and other infectious diseases, and issues related to the treatment of specific cultural and ethnic populations. 

The required substance abuse counselor training also includes a minimum of 220 hours of supervised work experience in substance abuse counseling in a clinical setting.  A provisional certification as an addiction counselor from the Connecticut Certification Board requires 220 hours of supervised work experience.  Three-hundred hours are required for standard certification or licensure.  In addition, licensed substance abuse counselors must demonstrate that they have completed at least 6000 hours of paid work or unpaid internship hours in the substance abuse counseling field.  Certified addiction counselors in Connecticut must undergo recertification after two years and have the option of renewing for additional periods of one, two, and three years.  Counselors must meet specific continuing education and training requirements in order to become recertified.