550-100 Substance Use Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment

Learners take an in-depth look at assessment, diagnosis and treatment in the substance use disorder field. Students develop a working knowledge of gathering and interpreting information used in forming diagnoses based on the criteria in the DSM-V. Learners will explore various diagnostic tools and determine the level of care utilizing the Wisconsin Uniform Placement Criteria. Students are introduced to a variety of counseling theories, co-occurring disorders, modalities and techniques used to treat substance use disorders.

550-115 Understanding Addiction

This course provides an overview of addiction, including classification and basic pharmacology of drugs, basic physiology and effects of drug use on the human body and patient. Students will examine client learning styles and group teaching methods, delivery of educational programs, health and behavior problems related to substance use and basic life skills such as stress management, communication and assertiveness.

550-118 Boundaries & Ethics in Substance Use Treatment

Learners will analyze case scenarios to practice the process of ethical decision making. Learners will evaluate the ethical codes of substance use disorder counseling to increase ability to apply these ethical principles to a variety of scenarios. Learners will also determine professional boundary issues and incorporate ethical standards into the decision making process.

550-119 Substance Use Disorder Counseling

Students will learn foundational building block skills in the counseling relationship and learn how to establish a solid therapeutic relationship. Students will also apply basic counseling techniques and study reporting and management of counseling cases. Performance will be evaluated through mock counseling sessions and personal experience reflections. Students will work to determine issues of boundaries and ethics and apply reflective practitioner methods.

550-120 Psychopharmacology

Learners will be introduced to the basic concepts of psychopharmacology and the function of the organs and systems of the human body and brain. Students will assess boundaries and ethical issues commonly found working with mental health and substance use services. Apply reflective practitioner methods.

550-139 Substance Use Disorders Internship 2

Provides the learner with the opportunity to assume greater responsibility and more of the duties of a substance abuse counselor in actual clinical practice. The course provides the learner with opportunities to strengthen skills and to experience the full range of responsibilities assumed by an AODA counselor while being supervised by an experienced substance abuse professional.

550-160 Substance Use Disorders Internship 1

An on-site experience during which the learner is oriented to the environment of substance abuse treatment. Supervised practice in the 12 core functions of counseling including assessment, group and individual counseling, case management, and consultation is offered.

550-161 Motivational Interviewing

Learners develop fundamental building block skills in motivational interviewing. Learners apply spirit and basic motivational interviewing methods as well as evaluate performance through role play counseling sessions and personal experience reflections. Learners will be able to apply collaborative goal setting and determine client direction using focus techniques gained through motivational interviewing practices.