Substance Abuse Counselor Training in Virginia - VA
Virginia has above average educational attainment, ranking in the top 10 states in both percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree and adults with a graduate degree. This state also has a low rate of students dropping out of high school. Virginia has a number of educational offerings that prepare those who wish to embark upon a career as a substance abuse counselor. According to studies, some attributes that are attributed to those who excel as substance abuse counselors include flexibility and an openness to new ideas, cooperativeness with others, willingness to accept and use feedback, awareness of the impact that one can have on others, ability to deal with conflict, accepting of personal responsibility, can express feelings effectively and appropriately, understands ethical and legal considerations, possesses initiative and motivation.
In addition to a supervised practicum in substance abuse counseling, a course of study for a substance abuse counselor generally requires courses in the theories of counseling and psychotherapy, techniques of counseling, group theory and techniques, substance abuse and society, addiction counseling, professional, ethical and legal issues in counseling, transpersonal psychology, psychological and educational measurement, human growth and development, psychopathology, research methods and the theory and practice of multi-cultural counseling.