Graduate Training of Counselors in the Addictions: A Study of CACREP‐Approved Programs

Abstract

Results are reported from a survey of counselor education programs approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The survey focused on counselor training in the addictions.

Inclusion of Substance Abuse Training in CACREP-Accredited Programs

“…The majority of respondents rated the inclusion of substance abuse training in counselor education as important, and a majority (84.5%) reported that they offered substance abuse courses. This indicates a slight increase from the findings of Morgan and Toloczko (1997) and Whittinghill et al (2004) who found, respectively, that 77% and 82% of CACREP-accredited programs offered substance abuse courses. However, offering substance abuse courses does not mean that all students take them.…”

“…The questionnaire was a combination of open-ended questions, categorical checklists, and yes/no questions. Copies of Morgan and Toloczko's (1997) and the Whittinghill et al's (2004) survey instruments were obtained. Some items on the 15-item questionnaire repeated items from these surveys whereas other items addressed issues that were not included in the previous studies but were recommended for future research.…”

A Cluster Analytic Study of Clinical Orientations Among Chemical Dependency Counselors

“…Unfortunately, a recent review of counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) indicates that only 30% of C l u s t e r A n a l y t i c S t u d y programs require a course in substance abuse counseling, with 77% offering an elective in this area (Morgan, Toloczko, & Comly, 1997). This level of academic programming seems inadequate when juxtaposed with the costs associated with alcohol and drug abuse.…”

The State of Substance Abuse Treatment Training in Counseling and Counseling Psychology Programs: What is and is Not Happening

“…In fact, Chappel and Lewis (1992) found minimal reference to substance use treatment in examining the CACREP accreditation standards. In surveying CACREP program directors, Morgan and Toloczko (1997) suggested that although there was agreement among programs about the need for "addiction" training, there was little agreement on what competencies must be highlighted in relation to training. Whittinghill, Carroll, and Morgan (2004) surveyed CACREP program directors and found that the majority of programs offered substance abuse courses; however, there was a decline in the percentage of programs that required one or more courses as part of the degree plan from the percentage found by Morgan and Toloczko (1997).…”