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  • Addictions and Mental Health (graduate certificate)

Addictions and Mental Health (graduate certificate)

Credential
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Location
Oshawa
School
School of Health & Community Services (HCS)
Length
Three consecutive semesters
OCAS Code
ADMH
Next Intake
September 2021   +View all Intakes
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Apply Now
  • Overview
  • Program Details
  • Admission Requirements
  • Courses
  • Costs
  • Career Options
  • Field Placement
  • Transfer

Program Overview

This program will help you to develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively address two of Canada’s leading health care issues – mental health and addictive behaviours. You will gain both a theoretical understanding and the clinical skills required to help your clients successfully navigate their challenges with mental health and/or addictive behaviours as they begin their journey to wellness.

Admission Requirements

  • Degree in psychology or social work or related discipline or college diploma in health or social service work or Practical Nursing; overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or 65 per cent average
  • Minimum of three credits in post-secondary psychology courses
  • Proof of English language proficiency required

View All Requirements

Tuition

Year one domestic: $5,026 (CAD)
Year one international: $15,626 (CAD)

View Full Costs

Semester 1 Courses

  • Group Counselling Practices (ADDC 1507)
  • Introduction To Counselling Practices (ADDC 1508)
  • Theories, Models And Approaches To Mental Health, Addiction & Psychotherapy (ADDC 1509)
  • Psychopharmacology (ADDC 1510)
  • Addictions I: Bio-Psycho-Social Theories Of Addiction Treatment (ADDC 1511)
  • Ethics (ETHC 1505)
  • Field Placement Preparation 1 (FWK 1505)
  • Working With Youth And Families (YOTH 1501)

View All Courses

Mental health
Mental health
Counselling
Counselling
Field Placement
Field Placement

Technology recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

View All Recommendations

Intakes and Availability

Date Domestic Availability International Availability
September 2021OpenOpen
January 2022Open 

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Addictions crisis worker
  • Addictions counsellor
  • Addictions and mental health rehab support worker
  • Case manager
  • Community support worker
  • Counsellor/group facilitator
  • Crisis outreach/intervention worker
  • Harm reduction worker
  • Housing stability counsellor
  • Mental health/wellness counsellor
  • Mental health support worker
  • Outreach services advisor
  • Psycho-educator
  • Withdrawal management counsellor
 

View all Career Options

Program Details

Designed for students with previous, relevant education, this highly specialized program was developed in consultation with recognized experts in the fields of addiction and mental health including Lakeridge Health Corporation.

This program meets the standards of the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) and will be accepted as recognized formal addiction education should a graduate apply for certification with the CACCF.

Program highlights include the opportunity to:

  • Expand the skills required to practice in addiction and mental health settings.
  • Gain experience with a broad spectrum of clinical settings where addiction/mental health related issues arise.
  • Develop an understanding of the particular needs of diverse populations.
  • Receive training in contemporary, evidence-based approaches to counselling and case management.

Please note: Some courses may be delivered in online or blended formats using the college's learning management system.

Enrolment considerations

It is important for individuals interested in this program to consider that the topics covered (e.g. trauma, abuse, suicidality, overdose), as well as images and videos shown in some courses can potentially be emotionally dysregulating to some. There are instances when professors and guest speakers will show drug paraphernalia. These topics and images are an unavoidable aspect of working in this field, therefore it is important that before entering the program, prospective students strongly consider if they are able to experience these aspects of the program without becoming excessively emotionally dysregulated.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Conduct client-centered and motivational counseling, case management, assessment and documentation in accordance with professional, ethical and legal practices to culturally diverse population of individuals, families and groups affected by addiction and/or mental health issues.
  2. Utilize current and relevant intervention strategies that are consistent with an understanding of the individual in the context of family, gender, sex, ethnicity and age.
  3. Utilize lifestyle and wellness strategies in self-management and for clients affected by addiction and/or mental health issues.
  4. Conduct professional practice activities, in a manner that shows respect for the diversity of belief systems regarding the cause and nature of addiction, process addictions and mental health issues.
  5. Apply knowledge of trauma-informed counseling practice when working with families, individuals and groups.
  6. Utilize the knowledge of psychopharmacology in working with clients and families affected by substance-abuse and mental health.
  7. Advocate for individuals and social change within the scope of practice of an addictions and mental health professional.

Admission Requirements

  • Degree in psychology or social work or related discipline or college diploma in health or social service work or Practical Nursing; overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or 65 per cent average
  • Minimum of three credits in post-secondary psychology courses
  • Proof of English language proficiency required

Applicants whose first language is not English or who are internationally educated in a non‐English speaking country must meet Durham College’s English Language Proficiency Policy.

Please note: This program may be highly competitive and have a specific selection process and application deadline. For more information, please contact recruitment@durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.3126. Please refer to Admission Processes for more details regarding highly competitive programs.

 

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyCampus.

Semester 1

  • Group Counselling Practices (ADDC 1507)
  • Introduction To Counselling Practices (ADDC 1508)
  • Theories, Models And Approaches To Mental Health, Addiction & Psychotherapy (ADDC 1509)
  • Psychopharmacology (ADDC 1510)
  • Addictions I: Bio-Psycho-Social Theories Of Addiction Treatment (ADDC 1511)
  • Ethics (ETHC 1505)
  • Field Placement Preparation 1 (FWK 1505)
  • Working With Youth And Families (YOTH 1501)

Semester 2

  • Case Management & Professional Practice (ADDC 1505)
  • Addiction II: Contemporary Addiction Treatment Strategies (ADDC 2501)
  • Trauma-Informed Practices (ADDC 2507)
  • Cognitive-Behavioural Based Psychoeducation (BHAV 2501)
  • Person-In-Context/Diversity (DIVS 2501)
  • Field Placement Preparation 2 (FWK 2505)
  • Recovery Oriented Practice: Working With Chronic, Severe Mental Health (RECV 2502)

Semester 3

  • Placement: Application Of Addiction And Mental Health Treatment Strategies In Professional Settings (FWK 3502)

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

  • Addictions crisis worker
  • Addictions counsellor
  • Addictions and mental health rehab support worker
  • Case manager
  • Community support worker
  • Counsellor/group facilitator
  • Crisis outreach/intervention worker
  • Harm reduction worker
  • Housing stability counsellor
  • Mental health/wellness counsellor
  • Mental health support worker
  • Outreach services advisor
  • Psycho-educator
  • Withdrawal management counsellor
 

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

  • Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT)
  • Alcohol and drug treatment centre
  • Community-based, government or privately funded agency
  • Correctional facility
  • Group home or adult shelter
  • Youth mental health agency
  • Problem-gambling service
  • Community mental health agency

Field Placement

Your learning experience will be complemented by a semester-long, 490-hour clinical field placement, supervised by a qualified professional practitioner and monitored by a college advisor from the Addictions and Mental Health program.

PRE-PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Student Permit Checking (ESPC), immunizations, lab tests and certifications.  Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes.  These costs include:

  • Service fees for Verified, our documentation collection and ESPC verification partner.
  • Costs to complete mandatory immunizations, lab tests, and certifications.

It is required that students have completed the ESPC with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. You must (at your expense) provide:

  • A clear and current Criminal Reference Check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). If you cannot provide a clear CRC with VSS you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency. CRCs with VSS must be obtained from your local police station. You may be required to obtain additional CRCs with VSS in order to meet field placement agency requirements
  • Current Level C CPR certificate from a recognized provider
  • Current standard first aid certificate from a recognized provider
  • Entry immunization form completed by a health-care provider

Links:

  • Addictions & Mental Health Field Placement ESPC Information Package
  • Synergy Verified Electronic ESPC User Guide

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

  • Bachelor of General Studies – Thompson Rivers University
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences – Thompson Rivers University

Technology Recommendations

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year. 

Processor: i3
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
Internet connection

Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk  or the school office.

Addictions and Mental Health (graduate certificate) in the news

DC grads give warm thanks from a cold city
DC’s Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate recognized by Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation
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