TPC-Journal-V2-Issue1

The Professional Counselor \Volume 2, Issue 1 61 As long as an LPC does not advertise oneself as an addiction or substance abuse counselor, they are completely free to practice counseling with individuals presenting with addiction. However, new counselors and LPCs who wish to accrue hours toward addiction licensure/credentialing face obstacles within the hiring process for addiction-focused positions. For example, despite the clear language in the LPC and CADC/ LCADC regulations, advertised positions in the addiction counseling field in New Jersey typically include language stating “actively pursuing CADC/LCADC” or “must hold a New Jersey CADC/LCADC.” These requirements (which again, contradict the language of the New Jersey LPC and LCADC regulations) are typically in place due to a mandate of the program funding source (e.g., state or federal). Private practice counselors (who do not operate any funded programs with the above-mentioned requirements) are free to practice addiction work if qualified. However, most (if not all) of the addiction counseling positions where a new professional counseling graduate can accrue hours are housed in some type of treatment facility that very likely must adhere to the LCADC mandate, thereby limiting access to positions for those seeking to accrue LPC hours within the addiction counseling field. In New Jersey, the typical master’s student who wants to accrue hours for licensure as an LPC must produce approximately 4,500 supervised counseling hours. This process comes immediately after the challenging two to three years of graduate study and passing the National Counselor Exam (NCE). However, to obtain the LCADC these students must complete an additional and separate 3,000 supervised addiction counseling hours, 270 clock hours of education focused on counseling and addiction, and 300 hours of supervised practical training in core counseling areas such as screening, intake, assessment, etc. The primary and most time-consuming problem lies in the need to accrue the supervised addiction counseling hours. Since the supervised counseling hours cannot be combined (e.g., there is no language in either the LPC or LCADC regulations permitting or denying the “double-dipping” of an hour for inclusion in both the LPC and LCADC hours accrual for licensure; this alone is confusing and indicates a need for clarification), the trainee working towards licensure who wishes to work in an addiction facility must accrue thousands of extra hours or opt to only work towards the LCADC. No other DSM-IV-TR disorder class comes with this burdensome extra mandated training requirement. Recent efforts to integrate the mental health and addiction licensure processes in New Jersey are in motion, but still in an early phase. Much of this work is coming from a project sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services designed to train the next generation of dual-licensed and trained (mental health and addiction) practitioners. However, this need to streamline the process is only present because of the dual licenses already in place. Furthermore, the premise of the program (though an excellent contribution) still propels the notion that addiction falls outside the scope of LPC practice and there needs to be a process to merge the two together. Despite the benefits of this new initiative, the end result is still the same: two different licenses. Again, this is the only DSM-IV-TR disorder that receives this treatment. North Carolina North Carolina has a well-coordinated system for addiction counselors. All professionals who want to be licensed to work in the addiction counseling field need to go through the same board, the NC Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (the Board), which is “recognized as the registering, certifying, and licensing authority for substance abuse professionals” (Practice Act, 2005, Senate Bill 705, North Carolina General Assembly, § 90 113.32). One board eliminates competition between boards and the related issues that arise. In fact, the Licensed Professional Counselors Act (LPC law) specifically exempts substance abuse counselors from the counseling law by declaring that nothing in the LPC law “shall prevent a person from performing substance abuse counseling or substance abuse prevention consulting” (NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, 2009, § 90-332.1.d). Having one board brings together individuals from various professions in a concerted effort to address the issues related to addiction counseling and to advocate for the field at a state level. This framework has the strength of cooperation between different professional groups and the absence of competition within a state. This cooperation is enhanced by a tiered system (licensure and credentialing). Individuals may apply for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. With regard to entry at the licensure level, there are four main routes or criteria (Criteria A, Criteria B, Criteria C, and Criteria D). Although initially the system may be confusing to determine the criteria under which one fits, the advantage is that there is greater flexibility for the individual applying for licensure. This