CAC II Courses

• Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning (14 hours)

In this CAC II course students will learn the components of the clinical assessment including use of a biopsychosocial interview, use of screening and clinical assessment instruments, creation of a problem list, assessing risk of self-harm, identification of cultural needs and supports, trauma screening, determining state of readiness for change, client strengths and how this information translates to the treatment plan.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (14 hours)

In this CAC II course students learn the theoretical foundations of CBT and how to incorporate CBT skills in a comprehensive treatment strategy that includes intake, assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, and therapy. Counselors will learn and practice effective ways to utilize the tools specific to CBT with their clients.

• Motivational Interviewing (21 hours)

This CAC II course will teach the model of stages of change, motivational interviewing skills for creating an environment where positive change can occur, and how MI is effective at increasing client engagement, retention, compliance and improving treatment outcomes. Videotaping and feedback will assist the participants in developing a standard level of counseling skills proficiency in MI.

• Co-Occurring Disorders (14 hours)

This CAC II course will focus on the interrelationship of mental and substance use disorders as well as the differing needs of this population group focusing on the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders most often see with substance use disorders. Participants will discuss three types of substance abuse programs: addiction only services, dual diagnosis capable, and dual diagnosis enhanced. Evidence-based treatment approaches with co-occurring disorders will be discussed along with elements of treatment planning, importance of diagnosis and the use of medications to enhance treatment.

• Group Counseling Skills (21 hours)

This CAC II course uses experiential training that covers the process of change as it relates to the dynamics of an effective group experience and the qualities of group facilitation. Models of group therapy, the use of observation and feedback, group relational experience, group leadership and cultural diversity within groups will be discussed and experienced in classroom group exercises.

• Professional Ethics II (14 hours)

This CAC II course uses a comprehensive introduction to ethical and risk management issues related to addiction treatment services with a special emphasis on professional boundaries and conduct. A special focus will be on ethical dilemmas encountered by addiction professionals with the use of case studies, ethical decision-making strategies, and risk management concepts designed to prevent ethics complaints and ethics-related lawsuits.

• Pharmacology II (14 hours)

This CAC II course resents the neuroscience of addiction and research that is making a significant contribution to the understanding of addiction and addictive behaviors. It explores the influence of contextual variables on addiction and recovery from a neuropsychological and cultural framework. Functional changes to the brain and the brain’s ability to recover after exposure to drugs of abuse, medical problems associated with substance abuse, and the use of pharmacological assists in recovery will be discussed.

• Trauma Informed Care with Diverse Populations (14 hours)

This CAC II course will introduce the counselor to the concept of trauma-informed care, an approach that is being adopted more frequently within the human services fields based upon an increased awareness of the ways in which trauma impacts functioning. It will describe and define trauma informed care and ways in which a traditional treatment setting can be modified to increase the sense of safety experienced by clients.