ADC101: Introduction to Christian Addiction Counseling

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 course combines an Introduction to Christian Counseling with an Introduction to Addiction Counseling. The course reviews five approaches to counseling and Christianity including: Levels-of-Explanation, Integration, Christian Psychology, Transformational Counseling and Biblical Counseling. Students work to apply each of these models to a sample case.

The course also presents an overview of key elements of addiction counseling including: Assessment and Treatment, Co-Occurring Disorders, Behavioral Addictions, Relapse Prevention, Self-Help Groups, Addiction Counseling Techniques, Cultural Awareness and Development of the Counselor. The course also helps students to develop a plan to apply for certification in their state if they desire.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe each of five approaches to Counseling and Christianity including: Levels-of-Explanation, Integration, Christian Psychology, Transformational Counseling and Biblical Counseling.
2. Apply each of five approaches to Counseling and Christianity to a sample case: Levels-of-Explanation, Integration, Christian Psychology, Transformational Counseling and Biblical Counseling.
3. Reflect on their own values and those of any organization they may work for to assess which model of Christian counseling may be the best fit in various contexts and with various clients.
4. Describe each of the key elements of addiction counseling including: Assessment and Treatment, Co-Occurring Disorders, Behavioral Addictions, Relapse Prevention, Self-Help Groups, Addiction Counseling Techniques, Culturally Awareness and Development of the Counselor.

Degree Program Outcomes

Program outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a certificate or degree program at City Vision University. This course supports the following program outcomes, marked with an asterisk (*). After completing the program, City Vision’s graduates will be able to do the following:

1. Christian Integration. Integrate Christian principles and counseling theories in an ethical manner in both Christian and secular counseling environments.*
2. Certification Exam Prep. Identify the key concepts needed to take a licensure exam either to apply to be a peer support specialist or certified addiction counselor.
3. Case Management. Develop case management plans to help clients identify areas where they need help and connecting them with personal and community resources that will help them.
4. Chemical Dependency. Describe foundational concepts of chemical dependency including a range of psychoactive drugs and how they work.
5. Psychology. Describe the foundational concepts of psychology and apply that in both Christian and secular counseling environments.
6. Clinical Counseling Skills. Utilize foundational skills for clinical addiction counseling.
7. Multicultural Counseling. Utilize effective methods to counsel diverse clients in both Christian and secular counseling environments.
8. Specialized Skills. Apply knowledge and skills in specialized domains related to Addiction Counseling.

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

• Greggo, S. P., Sisemore, T. A., & Johnson, E. L. (2012). Counseling and Christianity: Five Approaches. IVP Academic. 257 pages. ISBN: 978-1118721773
• Miller, G. (2020). Learning the Language of Addiction Counseling (5th edition). Wiley. 656 pages. ISBN: 1119433037

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

• 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: December 15, 2021