Addiction Counselling: Beyond Basics

Course Overview

Do you have basic counselling knowledge and skills? Develop your knowledge and application further and explore therapies and techniques in addiction counselling.  

The Addiction Counselling: Beyond Basics micro-credential covers key counselling theories for addiction treatment, cultural sensitivity, tailoring treatment approaches for special population groups, and working with different age groups. 

Additionally, the course explores the role of the family in addiction treatment and ways to support them, as well as the dynamics of self-help support groups in maintaining recovery.  

Gain insight into relapse prevention strategies and guide participants in formulating personalised relapse prevention plans.  

By completing this course, you’ll acquire a deep understanding of addiction counselling principles and practical skills to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.  

Note: This course provides knowledge and skills within the context of addiction counselling. Prior knowledge and training in counselling skills are assumed. This short course is not a substitute for an accredited counselling qualification and does not certify you as a counsellor or mental health practitioner.    

Time commitment per week

An average of 10 – 13 hours weekly.

Is this course for you?

This course is for you if you want to gain insight into therapies and techniques in addiction counselling. 

What is addiction counselling?   

Addiction counselling is a scientifically researched and developed treatment for those with substance use disorders. An Addiction Counsellor can help provide a map and the tools needed to assist with successfully living substance–free.  Qualified Addiction Counsellors provide a way forward and tools for recovering addicts and their support structures to better enable long–term sobriety.  

Dates

• Class of 2025 May: 12 May – 6 July
• Class of 2025 June: 9 June – 3 August
• Class of 2025 August: 11 August – 5 October
• Class of 2025 September: 8 September – 2 November

There are no online classes. Course content is released on a weekly basis allowing you to work through the course material, and meet weekly targets, at a time that is most convenient to you.

Certification

Upon completion, you will receive a digital certificate of competence as evidence of the skills and knowledge demonstrated.  

This course has been designed and developed by experts in the field of psychology. The Addiction Counselling: Beyond Basics micro-credential is for anyone needing to upskill in this area and offers 80 hours of learning and assessment. 

Stackable Credentials

Stack specified combinations of micro-credentials and they can be recognised as equivalent to a module within the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree at SACAP.

Foundations of Addiction Counselling can be stacked with Addiction Counselling: Beyond Basics and if you meet the minimum entrance criteria, you can enrol for the Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degree and apply for module exemption.

What You’ll Need

• Access to Microsoft Word
• Google Chrome (recommended)
• Stable internet connection

What You’ll Learn

Over the course of eight (8) weeks, through videos, readings and discussions, you will explore the following topics:

Week 1: Learn about therapeutic approaches like positive psychology, the stages-of-change model, motivational interviewing, brief therapy, DBT, the seeking safety programme, and grief counselling for addiction treatment. 

Week 2: Explore how cultural and social factors affect counselling, recognize biases and power dynamics, and learn about the importance of empathy in dealing with clients from different backgrounds.  

Week 3: Identify and assist special population clients based on gender, race, sexual orientation, and disability, developing tailored strategies. 

Week 4: Examine substance abuse in adolescents and the elderly, focusing on unique factors and interventions for each age group. 

Week 5: Understand the impact of addiction on families, analyse effects on children, identify counselling needs for family members, and develop strategies for co-dependency. 

Week 6: Learn about the 12-step model, differentiate types of meetings, and explore self-help and other support group options. 

Week 7: Define and describe relapse prevention approaches from a biopsychosocial perspective, recognize early warning signs, and develop tailored prevention plans. 

Week 8: Consolidate learning and apply knowledge to a case study for your final assessment. 

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Discuss the key counselling theories used to treat addiction. 
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in addiction counselling. 
• Tailor treatment approaches to special population groups. 
• Discuss working with different age groups in addiction counselling. 
• Describe the role of the family in addiction treatment and ways to assist the family. 
• Explain the dynamics and function of self-help support groups in maintaining recovery. 
• Identify relapse prevention strategies and formulate a relapse prevention plan.  

The Team

Our short course developers and assessors are expert practitioners. They have been selected for the breadth and depth of experience in their respective disciplines. The team loves sharing their knowledge and online learning expertise to help you get the most out of your learning journey.