If you want to become a substance abuse counselor in California, the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) will become an important resource. This organization sets standards for our industry, but it also provides a wealth of valuable information for counselors at all experience levels. Here’s a quick look at CCAPP and what it can provide for you as you begin your journey into the counseling profession.
1. Find CCAPP-Approved Certification Programs
Through the CCAPP website, you can find CCAPP-approved training, such as ourselves. At Sober College School of Addiction Studies, we offer CCAPP-approved curriculum for those wanting the RADT certification or those who want to become a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC). This means our curriculum provides the comprehensive information that you need in order to become a CADC and pass the IC&RC exam.
2. CCAPP Membership Benefits
While you can have a CCAPP-approved education that doesn’t automatically make you a CCAPP member. Counselors in California are not required to join CCAPP, but there are a few reasons you might consider doing so.
For instance, members receive a discount for the CCAPP annual conference. This conference features a myriad of speakers and workshops and also can be a great source of continuing education (CE) credits.
Members also receive a weekly newsletter packed with everything from job listings to helpful articles and regional activities for addiction counselors and specialists. The CCAPP membership also includes a subscription to Counselor Magazine, as well as discounted insurance and even rental car discounts.
3. Continuing Education
Once you’ve earned your CADC-I credential, you will need to earn some additional continuing education units in order to renew this credential. You can find CCAPP-approved continuing education courses at the CCAPP website.
Additionally, aside from the CCAPP annual conference, at which you may be able to earn continuing education credits, you can find other continuing education resources on the CCAPP website. There are several other affordable online workshops that you might consider taking after you become a CADC. While not all of these courses will count as continuing education for CADCs, they still can be valuable and help you grow as a professional counselor.
Of course, if you are just starting out, getting your education and signed up for CCAPP-approved classes is probably the most important thing on your mind, and we can help. At Sober College School of Addiction Studies, we provide the CCAPP-approved coursework you need in order to become a CADC.
Our program can be completed in-class or online, and there is even self-paced option. For our in-class option, classes meet just one weekend per month at our Los Angeles-area campus and you can finish in just six months. Many people love this option, as it gives you a chance to interact in person with instructors and fellow students.
If this campus is not convenient to you, then our online classes may be a perfect fit. You can finish the program online in six months, as well, and can take classes from anywhere in California, learning the same curriculum as you would with our in-class option. You also will be able to discuss questions or issues via our online forum and be able to contact your professions with questions and concerns.
Additionally, we offer a self-paced option. With this option, you take our CCAPP-approved classes and you can finish in just six months, but you have as long as 18 months to complete your coursework. This can be a good option for people with busy or complicated work and family schedules that need a bit more time to fit in their coursework.
At Sober College, we do our best to make it easy for students to attain their education and work toward their goal of helping others heal. If you’d like to learn more about our CCAPP-approved coursework, head to our homepage and click on the Counselor Training tab and you’ll find information about our many programs. You also can click on the Get Started tab and either start your application or find out how to speak with an admission representative. One quick note: While we do provide California students with CCAPP-approved curriculum, if you reside in another state but wish to earn your CADC certification, our curriculum is also NAADAC-approved and IC&RC-approved so our online program might be a perfect fit for you.
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