Books & Courses

This course is intended to provide students with specific counseling theory information necessary to meet state requirements for Chemical Dependency Professional certification.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
Students explore the physiology, epidemiology, risk assessment, legal/ethical issues and societal implications of HIV and other air-and blood-borne pathogens. This course is appropriate for students of any discipline and is approved by the Washington Department of Health toward the Substance Use Disorder Professional credentialing.

This course will emphasize the unique developmental stages of adolescence and the ways in which substance use/abuse/dependency harm the adolescent’s worldview. The various methods used when providing interventions and treatment will be explored along with assessment requirements specified by the state. This course will expand the issues of the family system as context for recovery using traditional resources and innovative approaches in adolescent chemical dependency treatments.

This course provides a thorough review of approaches and philosophies of case management and its essential role in effectively addressing the complexity of multiple-issue recovery, including dual-diagnosis, gender and sexuality issues, suicide and relapse. Includes established national and regional standards of care in treatment planning, record keeping and discharged and aftercare planning.

This course uses the Addiction Counseling Competencies to explore the complex issues of family in relation to addiction and models of family counseling. Additionally, this class will include information on diverse cultures, to incorporate the relevant needs of culturally diverse groups, as well as people with disabilities, into clinical practice.

Pre-requisites: MA Behavioral Health, MA Addiction Studies.
Students will be exposed to fundamental and technical study of the law, policy, malpractice and liability regarding chemical dependency prevention and treatment practice. Strong focus will be on the contemporary issues of the field relative to current policy and the development of professional knowledge and skills that support ethical and effective practice. Application of ethics for chemical dependency clinicians.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
In Behavioral Health settings, clients presenting with trauma may be the norm instead of the exception. An understanding of the prevalence and impact of trauma in the treatment system helps strengthen clients’ recovery, decrease re-traumatization, and helps to build clients’ trust in and use of supports. Emphasis will be placed on identifying signs and symptoms of trauma and the utilization of trauma specific services.

Relapse is not a single event but a process that takes place over time. This class will investigate that process by examining the principles and procedures of relapse prevention therapy. It will also focus on the developmental model of recovery to explore major causes of relapse in each stage of recovery. Another major focus of this class will be to address client relationship with family, employment, education, spirituality, health concerns and legal needs.

Notes: this course is taught online and requires a synchronous component (meaning: students will get together online in small groups) as part of the course.
Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
Theoretical foundations of group dynamics and counseling as applied to addiction treatment clientele. Explore the design, leadership and applications of group counseling via a combination of readings, video presentations, case studies and class discussions. Emphasis on learning to observe, understand, guide and facilitate the group dynamics as they occur.

Students will review the physical impact and the response of the human body to alcohol and other drugs of abuse through study of the fundamentals of pharmacokinetics, neurologic functioning and current research findings. They will also learn concepts and terminology essential for working on a professional treatment team and for communicating with patients and families. There will be special focus on effective intervention strategies for each class of drug.

This course is designed to assist the Master-level Social Worker, mental health counseling student and chemical Dependency Professional Trainees (students) in obtaining the necessary skills needed to conduct an accurate substance abuse assessment/evaluation and determine appropriate level of treatment. Further, the student gains an understanding of mental health diagnosis utilizing screening, assessment and diagnostic tool.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or permission of director.
This course explores the relationship among food, addiction, health, and mindfulness. Students will explore the psychology of eating, neurobiology of addiction, similarities between food addiction and substance use disorders, as well as mindful eating practices, culinary medicine and the relationship between spirituality and food. We will analyze the trend of obesity in our culture and examine the controversial question of whether or not food can be considered addictive.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
The course presents essential and practical guidance on how to integrate research appraisal into evidence based practice endeavors to determine which interventions, policies and assessment tools are supported by the best evidence. Attention is given to equipping students to become competent consumers of research and effective evidence-based practitioners.

Notes: this course covers the final requirement for graduation from a master's program. It takes the place of a research report/research project/ or other final requirement for a Master's Degree.
Pre-requisites: graduate standing and admission to program.
The professional portfolio course is a final project for graduates of master's programs within Addiction Studies. Students demonstrate their readiness for professional practice by presenting artifacts, in the form of a portfolio, that align with addiction counselor competencies. Portfolio artifacts reflect new learning gained from program curriculum and practice experience.

This course is intended to provide students with specific counseling theory information necessary to meet state requirements for Chemical Dependency Professional certification.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
Students explore the physiology, epidemiology, risk assessment, legal/ethical issues and societal implications of HIV and other air-and blood-borne pathogens. This course is appropriate for students of any discipline and is approved by the Washington Department of Health toward the Substance Use Disorder Professional credentialing.

This course provides a thorough review of approaches and philosophies of case management and its essential role in effectively addressing the complexity of multiple-issue recovery, including dual-diagnosis, gender and sexuality issues, suicide and relapse. Includes established national and regional standards of care in treatment planning, record keeping and discharged and aftercare planning.

This course uses the Addiction Counseling Competencies to explore the complex issues of family in relation to addiction and models of family counseling. Additionally, this class will include information on diverse cultures, to incorporate the relevant needs of culturally diverse groups, as well as people with disabilities, into clinical practice.

Pre-requisites: MA Behavioral Health, MA Addiction Studies.
Students will be exposed to fundamental and technical study of the law, policy, malpractice and liability regarding chemical dependency prevention and treatment practice. Strong focus will be on the contemporary issues of the field relative to current policy and the development of professional knowledge and skills that support ethical and effective practice. Application of ethics for chemical dependency clinicians.

This class will establish a better understanding of the inherent complexities of co-occurring disorders (COD) and develop a variety of clinical skills necessary in the treatment of COD. We will explore the principles of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Brief Therapy approaches to both substance abuse and Mental Illness selected clinical interventions from each of these evidenced-based treatment modalities will be taught and practiced for both group work and individual therapy. Clinical approaches, treatment planning, placement and medications used to treat COD will also be discussed.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
This course introduces students to concepts relevant to the implementation of medication assisted treatment (MAT). Specifically the research into the efficacy of MAT will re reviewed and the basic brain chemistry of addiction and common medication-based treatments. The historical, legal and ethical considerations specific to MAT will also be reviewed. Evidence-based therapeutic techniques for counseling staff collaborating in interdisciplinary teams with medical staff will be presented.

Relapse is not a single event but a process that takes place over time. This class will investigate that process by examining the principles and procedures of relapse prevention therapy. It will also focus on the developmental model of recovery to explore major causes of relapse in each stage of recovery. Another major focus of this class will be to address client relationship with family, employment, education, spirituality, health concerns and legal needs.

This course will emphasize the unique developmental stages of adolescence and the ways in which substance use/abuse/dependency harm the adolescent’s worldview. The various methods used when providing interventions and treatment will be explored along with assessment requirements specified by the state. This course will expand the issues of the family system as context for recovery using traditional resources and innovative approaches in adolescent chemical dependency treatments.

Notes: this course is taught online and requires a synchronous component (meaning: students will get together online in small groups) as part of the course.
Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
Theoretical foundations of group dynamics and counseling as applied to addiction treatment clientele. Explore the design, leadership and applications of group counseling via a combination of readings, video presentations, case studies and class discussions. Emphasis on learning to observe, understand, guide and facilitate the group dynamics as they occur.

Students will review the physical impact and the response of the human body to alcohol and other drugs of abuse through study of the fundamentals of pharmacokinetics, neurologic functioning and current research findings. They will also learn concepts and terminology essential for working on a professional treatment team and for communicating with patients and families. There will be special focus on effective intervention strategies for each class of drug.

This course is designed to assist the Master-level Social Worker, mental health counseling student and chemical Dependency Professional Trainees (students) in obtaining the necessary skills needed to conduct an accurate substance abuse assessment/evaluation and determine appropriate level of treatment. Further, the student gains an understanding of mental health diagnosis utilizing screening, assessment and diagnostic tool.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
Addiction permeates our society; substance use and abuse are rapidly becoming a global epidemic. Researchers are digging deep into brain chemistry to learn more about the complicated disease of addiction. Spirituality and mindfulness appear to be keys in unlocking the mystery of overcoming addiction. This course will provide a solid foundation in spirituality, mindfulness and addiction, focusing on how spirituality relates to treatment recovery and relapse prevention.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
This course provides students an introduction and overview of process addictions, assessment and diagnostic tools, evidenced-based treatment strategies, recovery services and strategies for intervention and identification.