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"The Substance Abuse Counselling Skills Program [now Addiction Counselling Skills] served to give me the tools and knowledge that facilitated my entry into the addictions field. This program provides an excellent balance of theory and practice and provided me with a solid base of counselling skills."
- Monika Ulrich
Program Director, Salvation Army - Homestead

Addiction Counselling Skills Certificate

Department website: www.vcc.ca/cs/cnsk.

The Addiction Counselling Skills Certificate (formerly, Substance Abuse Certificate Program) is tailored for individuals who wish to work in the field of addiction or co-occurring disorders or for those currently employed. For over 20 years, this Certificate Program has been respected and recognized for preparing and training addiction workers. Students find employment in a range of government and non-profit societies from recovery houses, to detox to addiction service positions. Ministry of Education surveys place our employment success rate at over 85%. Students are exposed to leading edge research and best practices and develop a network of contacts in their chosen fields. The Addiction Counselling Skills Certificate Program integrates a variety of addiction treatment options with skill practice so students can enter or continue in their chosen workplaces. This program meets the educational requirements of the CACCF and courses in this program meet some educational pre-requisites for graduate studies in Dept. of Education/Counselling Psychology(UBC). Certificate completion is possible in less than one year to a maximum time of three years by attending one to four evenings per week. Practicum completes the program and is flexible to meet the needs of working students.

Required Courses: Theories of Counselling and/or Lifespan Development; Foundations of Counselling; Individual Counselling Skills(addiction);Diversity, Culture and Counselling; Family Systems; Personal and Professional Development; Assessment Practices(addiction); Addiction and Human Behaviour; Practicum Non credit option: Group Counselling Skills.

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Program Description

Entrance Requirement Courses:

Required Courses:

Elective Courses:




Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

Exceptions
Convention refugees as designated by the federal government;

Foreign live-in caregivers;

Individuals with work permits valid for at least one year, covering the duration of studies; or those with Approval in Principle letters from Citizenship and Immigration Canada;

Legal dependents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents (certain conditions apply);

Diplomats and their direct dependents;

International exchange students.

VCC will require proof of citizenship, residency, diplomatic or refugee status. Please see VCC's policy relating to admission for non-citizens and non-residents for more information.

International students
VCC welcomes international students from around the world to the college's academic or career programs.

To learn more about the English-language requirements for your program of interest, please contact VCC International; to learn more about how to apply, please see the VCC International website.

We look forward to meeting you.


As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Program Specific:

- Fluency in English: Completion of Grade 12 English (C+), GED or equivalent

- Successful completion of Basic Counselling Skills (C) or equivalent

- Relevant experience (direct client contact) in the helping field paid or volunteer-min 35 hours

- Letter of reference

- Maturity, emotional stability and suitability to work in the field

- Recommended: Basic Computer skills/literacy

- Basic library research skills

- Participation in an intake meeting



Apply to this Program

Complete Counselling Skills Certificate Application form. Completed applications are accepted on a first come first served basis. Applications must include an educational transcript which indicates that students have meet specified English requirements; a letter of reference and information that supports their social services entry requirement. Non refundable fee of $30 must be submitted with the application form.

Contact Information:

Program Coordinator: Sara Menzel, 604.443.8392, smenzel@vcc.ca

Program Assistant: Carol Agostini, 604.443.8661, cagostini@vcc.ca

Practicum Coordinator: Sarah Fernets, 604.443.8676, sfernets@vcc.ca

    Fax     In Person
Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604-443-8393. Visit the Registration Desk at our Downtown campus, 2nd floor, 250 West Pender Street, Vancouver [map].

Business hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

- Refund and course cancellation policy


Courses

Currently scheduled:
Course Name Course Code Course Type
Basic Counselling Skills CNSK 1401 entrance
Addiction and Human Behaviour CNSK 1415 required
Assessment Practices-Addiction CNSK 1411 required
Diversity, Cultural & Couns CNSK 1407 required
Family Systems-an Overview CNSK 1409 required
Foundations of Counselling CNSK 1402 required
Individ Couns Skills-Addiction CNSK 1406 required
Lifespan Development CNSK 1404 required
Personal & Professional Dev CNSK 1412 required
Practicum: Employment CNSK 1489 required
Practicum: Volunteer CNSK 1488 required
Theories of Counselling CNSK 1403 required
Group Counselling Skills CNSK 1408 elective


Note:

* All course/program information including course/program content, length, admission requirements, prerequisites, start/end dates, postponements and/or cancellation is subject to change without notice.

* Published fees for Continuing Studies programs and courses include GST (if applicable) as well as a College Initiative Fee, which varies depending on the individual course. Student Union Fees will be assessed at time of registration. Please note: fees displayed on the web do not include Student Union Fees.


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