Stephanie Hairston is a freelance mental health writer who spent several years in the field of adult mental health before transitioning to professional writing and editing. As a clinical social worker, she provided group and individual therapy, crisis intervention services, and psychological assessments. Some states license substance abuse counselors as well, while some states only certify them. In response to professional advocacy and increasing demand for substance abuse treatment, a growing number of states are licensing substance abuse counselors for independent practice. In many states, if you want to get individual sessions to address a substance use disorder, you have the option to see a licensed substance abuse counselor instead of a therapist.
- These hotlines are free to use and are set up specifically to help you find the right level of care.
- Many find success through support groups (like Narcotics Anonymous) and ongoing therapy.
- The extended clinical training of the two year-long practicums, the year-long pre-doctoral internship, and the year-long postdoc experiences were of great interest to me.
Brochures and other educational resources
Substance abuse counselors typically work in substance abuse treatment facilities, such as outpatient clinics and residential treatment centers. They may also work in hospitals, mental health clinics, or private practice. Therapists and substance abuse counselors deal with extremely challenging issues and have highly stressful jobs. It’s important that you have the motivation and the qualities needed to succeed as a mental health professional, regardless of your chosen specialization. Around one, half of people suffering from a serious mental illness also suffer from a substance abuse problem. It is only logical that doctors treat both mental illness and substance abuse at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology, Counseling, and Therapy
These are some distinctions to consider between psychiatrist vs. psychologist vs. therapist vs. counselor. The emergency and referral resources listed above are available to individuals located in the United States and are not operated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). NIDA is a biomedical research organization and does not provide personalized medical advice, treatment, counseling, or legal consultation. Information provided by NIDA is not a substitute for professional medical care or legal consultation.
- All these professions require graduate study and advanced supervised training.
- Its primary goal is to address the emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues related to substance abuse and support individuals through the recovery process.
- Note that licensed substance abuse counselors must meet similar professional standards as therapists.
- While these terms are often used interchangeably, they serve different purposes and can offer varying types of assistance depending on your needs.
What Is a Mental Health Counselor? Plus Where You Can Find One
For many kinds of distress, different types of therapy may have remarkably similar positive effects. It can be difficult to know which type of professional you should see. It’s essential to consider a few factors, including your concerns, what you hope to accomplish in therapy, and how much of a commitment you can make to treatment to determine your best option. Substance abuse counselors may have a master’s degree or doctorate degree. Around 48% of people working in the addictions field hold a master’s or doctorate.
How do the best treatment programs help patients recover from addiction?
These professionals help patients in healthcare settings and offer services and support to families and children in need. Degrees in social work and counseling both require learners to complete fieldwork and work directly with clients to manage their mental, emotional, and social health. Counseling degrees explore deep research in human development and related topics. When deciding whether to pursue a career in social work or counseling, focus on the client base each profession generally works with. Aspiring professionals can explore the differences between counseling and social work programs to determine their best fit and ensure they understand the licensing process.
During your education and fieldwork, you will learn techniques to minimize the emotional toll it takes on you. Depending on your personality and background, you may also find some branches of therapy more or less emotionally draining. Whether it’s a practice’s website or an informational Instagram page, psychologists’ presence on social media has become somewhat commonplace.
Differences
This is one of the main psychologist vs. therapist differences, as therapists cannot prescribe in any state. Dr. Jaime Zuckerman is a Philadelphia-based clinical psychologist in private practice, specializing in adults with anxiety, depression, and those adjusting to medical illnesses. Dr. Zuckerman received her undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and her doctorate in clinical psychology from La Salle University. She completed her internship and postdoctoral fellowship at LIJ Medical Center in New York. After returning to Pennsylvania, she took a position as head psychologist at the Coatesville VA Medical Center for the acute medical, nursing, and hospice units. Unlike the other professions in this guide, psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health.
William & Mary has engaged Everspring, a leading provider of education and technology services, to support select aspects of program delivery. Becoming a counselor or therapist involves rigorous education, training and licensure, but key differences exist in each pathway. Naloxone is a powerful tool for preventing deaths from opioid overdoses. The main goals are to support clients in overcoming addiction, help them develop healthy coping mechanisms, and prevent relapse.
Best Online Therapy Platforms We Tried and Tested
Counseling is a major part of drug treatment in all of these scenarios. Either the substance abuse causes the mental illness or the mental illness causes the substance abuse. As with other addictions, groups are very helpful, not only in maintaining sobriety, but also as a safe place to get support and discuss challenges. Sometimes substance abuse counseling treatment programs for co-occurring disorders provide groups that continue to meet on an aftercare basis. Your doctor or treatment provider may also be able to refer you to a group for people with co-occurring disorders.
- If you’re ready to make a positive impact in your community, explore UC’s online BS in Substance Abuse Counseling program and take the first step toward a fulfilling career.
- This is just an example, as this condition looks very different and ranges in severity from person to person.
- Substance abuse counselors are trained to treat substance use disorders by default.
- Marriage and family therapy addresses the behaviors of two or more people and the relationships between them.
- Talk to your health care provider to determine what treatment may be best for you and give the treatment time to work.
- Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us.
While therapy is a versatile tool, not all therapies work to treat all issues or conditions. And therapists who are inexperienced with substance use disorders can overlook warning signs of relapse and fail to provide essential interventions. Substance abuse counseling developed within the substance abuse treatment field as a practical and effective method to help clients recover from substance use disorders. It incorporates a mix of clinical techniques, 12-step philosophy, and practical problem-solving methods. Therapists provide similar services to counselors, primarily by applying psychotherapy, often to patterns or ongoing problems rather than a specific issue. Psychotherapy helps clients identify the psychological issues behind mental health or behavioral health concerns and to remedy the underlying issue.