ADC550: Counseling Practicum

Instructor & Contact Information

The People tab in Canvas provides information on the course instructor and you can send a message to your instructor following these instructions. Faculty are expected to: 1) grade and return assignments, with feedback, within 7 days from the date of submission; 2) reply to your Canvas messages within 72 hours; 3) reply several times each week in total in the discussion forums (not to each individual student); and 4) demonstrate the core values of City Vision University.

Course Description

This is a practice-based course in which students will apply the concepts learned throughout the degree program through real-world experience. This course provides students with a dynamic and hands-on opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge of counseling in a real-world setting. Through supervised practicum experiences in diverse clinical settings, students will gain invaluable practical skills in assessment, intervention, and ethical decision-making. They will learn to develop therapeutic relationships, conduct effective counseling sessions, and tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of clients. Emphasizing self-awareness and reflective practice, this course fosters the growth of competent, empathetic, and culturally sensitive counselors, equipping them to make a meaningful impact in the field of mental health and counseling. When applicable, the course is customized to meet the requirements of the certification board in the student’s state. Attention is also given to personal and professional growth in preparation for serving in a counseling role.

Requirements for Students Taking ADC550: Counseling Practicum

A practicum is a supervised training experience where you will get academic credit for applying your
academic knowledge in a professional addiction counseling environment. It is the responsibility of the
student to secure a site through which they may complete the required internship hours and a clinical
supervisor that meets the requirements in their state to provide clinical supervision. Learn more about certification requirements in the various states.

Note: Because the goal of this practicum is to align with the requirements for certification in the states in which they reside, the practicum may be customized to conform with their requirements.

Students may not do a practicum in an organization where they would be conducting research on human subjects.

Note: This course may be taken a second time if needed to meet licensure/certification requirements.

Prerequisites

• Must have at least 18 credits (unless granted a waiver by Academic Administration. You can request a waiver by emailing support@cityvision.edu)
• Signed agreement with Qualified Supervisor with supervisor approval.  You can send your supervisor our email template linking to the contract, and then send the signed copy to support@cityvision.edu.
• Students taking this course are required to sign up for Professional Liability Insurance. We recommend that students complete the steps here to do this: Instructions to Sign up for NAADAC Student Membership and Insurance at an estimated total cost of $100.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Analyze the Core Counseling Competencies for addiction professionals and practice each in the work setting.
2. Gain practical experience working in a clinical setting and receiving clinical supervision.
3. Reflect on your experience in a journal, receiving supervisor feedback.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in the TAP 21 Eight Practice Dimensions and Twelve Core Functions of Addiction Counseling in a supervised setting.

Degree Program Outcomes

Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following in each of the listed domains. The outcomes for this course is a practice based integration reinforcement across all degree outcomes with a particular focus on outcome 14.

1. Addiction Counseling.  Develop plans and function in the eight practice domains of addiction counseling including: 1) Clinical Evaluation, 2) Treatment Planning, 3) Referral, 4) Case Management, 5) Counseling, 6) Client Education, 7) Documentation and 8) Ethics including transdisciplinary foundations.
2. Christian Counseling.  Integrate the theory and practice of addiction counseling into a Christian worldview to effectively serve and apply professional ethics in secular counseling and Christian counseling environments. 
3. Co-occurring Disorders. Provide counseling, treatment plans and referrals to those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
4. Addiction Psychopharmacology. Develop effective addiction treatment based on knowledge of a range of psychoactive drugs and be able to education clients and provide referrals needed to provide comprehensive treatment.
5. Family Counseling. Provide counseling to families affected by addiction and assist them in moving toward healthy family dynamics.
6. Trauma & Crisis Counseling. Provide effective counseling to those experiencing crisis or having a history of trauma.
7. Multicultural Counseling. Utilize effective methods to counsel diverse clients in both Christian and secular counseling environments.
   
   Concentration Outcomes 
8. Group Counseling. Facilitate group counseling sessions based on an understanding of group dynamics in addiction treatment. 
9. Counseling Theory. Synthesize counseling theories to develop treatment plans for those with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
10. Counseling Skills & Techniques.* Apply counseling theories and techniques in addiction counseling including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step group facilitation.
11. Clinical Evaluation. Conduct thorough assessments and diagnoses of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
12. Professional Ethics. Apply the ethical and professional principles, standards, and expectations that are integral to a professional counselor's role and identity.
13. Behavioral Addiction. Provide counseling to those dealing with behavioral addictions as well as conducting self-assessment to maintain balance avoiding and personally avoiding behavioral addictions.
14. Culminating Experience. Demonstrate mastery either of the practice of addiction counseling through a practicum or comprehensive knowledge through preparation for an addiction counseling certification exam.

Required Texts & Other Fees

These are the required resources that every student should obtain before the first day of classes. 

• Hodges, S. (2024). The counseling practicum and internship manual: A resource for graduate counseling students. (4th ed.) Springer Publishing Company. ISBN: 9780826166067
• Students taking this course are required to sign up for Professional Liability Insurance. We recommend that students complete the steps here to do this: Instructions to Sign up for NAADAC Student Membership and Insurance at an estimated total cost of $100.
• TAP21: Addiction Counseling Competencies. 2017. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4171. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free PDF.

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

• Grading Scale 

• Deadlines to Drop Courses

• Attendance, Late Policy and Extensions

• Technology Requirements for Courses

• Standards of Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Policy

• What plagiarism is and how to avoid it 

• Credit Hour Policy, Grading Policy and Other Academic Policies

• ADA Policy, Learning Accommodations & Disabilities Services
• Student Code of Conduct 

• Library Services

Additional Policies:

• Privacy Policy

• Consumer Disclosures
• Additional policies are listed in our catalog

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: January 21, 2025