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Applied Psychology

Addiction Counselling: Beyond Basics

Gain practical skills and understanding of addiction counselling to make a meaningful impact.

R6,470.00

Structure

Set start & end date

Duration

8 weeks

Commitment

10 hours weekly study

Total Hours

80 hours

Start Date

10 August 2026

End Date

4 October 2026

Mode

Weekly content & tasks

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 specifically covers key counselling theories for addiction treatment, cultural sensitivity, tailoring treatment approaches for special population groups, as well as working with different age groups.

In addition, 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.

You will also gain insight into relapse prevention strategies and guide participants in formulating personalised relapse prevention plans.

Ultimately, by completing this course, you’ll acquire a deep understanding of addiction counselling principles and, therefore, 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.

What You’ll Learn

Throughout eight (8) weeks, you will gradually explore the following topics through videos, readings, and discussions. In addition, each week will build on the previous one to deepen your understanding:

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, recognise 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, recognise 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.

Learner Experience

Ilja Lerm

"The Addiction Counselling: Beyond Basics course offered me valuable insights into the complexities of addiction and its far-reaching impact on individuals and communities. I appreciated how the course content was not only comprehensive but also highly practical, leaving me feeling well-equipped to support those affected by addiction."

Gabrielle Dyer

"Personally, completing the Addiction Counselling: Beyond Basics course was truly inspiring. It not only equipped me with practical tools but also encouraged personal reflection, leading to significant growth in my understanding and approach as a future counsellor. The course also strengthened my passion for supporting people facing addiction and reaffirmed my commitment to making a real difference in their lives."

Risuna Mahlalela

"I found this online micro-credential to be truly eye-opening and enriching. I've been able to apply what I learnt in both personal and professional settings, and I gained practical tools that I'll continue to use moving forward. The content was clear, relevant, and empowering, making it a genuinely valuable learning journey."

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.

Dates

Class of 2026 August: 10 August – 4 October
Class of 2026 September: 7 September – 1 November
Class of 2026 October: 12 October – 6 December

Learners are not required to attend any online classes. Instead, course content is released on a weekly basis. This way, you can work through the material and meet weekly targets at a time that is most convenient to you.

Course highlights

Addition counselling session and emotional woman

Learn a range of addiction treatment techniques.
Develop cultural empathy and inclusivity to enhance multicultural counselling practices for diverse client backgrounds.
Learn tailored intervention strategies for special populations and various age groups that suffer from substance abuse.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements?

Anyone 18 years of age or older can sign up for this micro-credential course. There are no academic entry requirements or conditions.

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone interested building on their existing counselling knowledge and gaining insight into therapies and techniques in addiction counselling.

What is the time commitment?

A total of 80 hours is required to complete the micro-credential course. An average of 10 hours weekly over 8 weeks.

What do you need to do the course?

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

Is the course accredited?

The micro-credential course is not accredited and non-credit bearing.

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. Read more here.

The Team

The SACAP Global team brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience across various disciplines. Our expert short course developers and dedicated support team are passionate about sharing their insights to help you get the most out of your online learning journey.