Addiction Counselling Short Course
Addiction Counselling is a fast-growing and popular counselling service. This course provides you with an opportunity to gain a qualification that will enhance your career and counselling practice.
This Level 3 Short Course Diploma in Addiction Counseling is specifically designed to appeal to individuals engaged in healthcare professions. It also holds relevance for practitioners in social work, education, and pastoral care domains.
The course concentrates on assessing and analysing the psychosocial elements connected to addiction, while also examining the challenges that addictive behavioural issues pose for counsellors and helpers. While the primary focus is on substance and alcohol addiction, the course equips you with versatile theories, concepts, and practical models that can be effectively applied to a broad spectrum of addictive behaviours and challenges.
This course is thoughtfully structured into ten manageable units, each exploring key aspects of the field.
Addiction Counselling Short Course Diploma Entry Requirements:
All students must be 16 years of age and above to enter into our Addiction Counselling Short Course Diploma (Level 3).
Short Course Diploma courses require a minimum prior learning to GCSE standard in order that students can manage their studies and the assumed knowledge within course content.
Study Hours
200 hours in total. Or 20 hours per week over 10 weeks.
Assessment
Written assessment at the end of each unit of study.
Enrolment
Please note that you can enrol on this course at any time.
Progression
This Addiction Counselling Short Course Diploma course can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.
Course Content
Unit 1: Introduction to addiction, discussion and reappraisal of counselling skills
This module delves into the expansive topic of addiction, offering a comprehensive overview of fundamental counselling knowledge and skills. It traces the development of counselling theories and approaches, drawing insights from influential figures such as Freud, Rogers, Skinner, Ellis, Jung, and Egan. The exploration extends to examining corresponding counselling methodologies and the evolution of modern approaches.
Unit 2: The psychodynamic approach relevant to addiction therapy
This module guides students through an exploration of the psychodynamic approach to counselling. They will develop the skills to recognise scenarios where this approach is applicable in counselling. Key concepts, including defence mechanisms, transference, and counter-transference, will be elucidated. Additionally, students will acquire an understanding of the significance of the psychodynamic approach within the realm of addiction therapy.
Unit 3: The cognitive behavioural approach relevant to addiction therapy
This module delves into the cognitive-behavioural approach and its application in addiction counselling. Students will gain insights into behavioural change within this therapeutic domain. Practical examples and activities will guide students in identifying the specific client scenarios that benefit most from this approach.
Unit 4: The person-centred approach relevant to addiction therapy
This module explores the fundamental principles of the person-centred approach to counselling. It covers Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, specific techniques, and their applicability to counselling. The module also discusses areas of application where underlying problems and situations are present.
Unit 5: Client-counsellor relationships in addiction therapy
This module covers ethical strategy, boundaries, and limitations, emphasising the importance of active listening, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. It also explores the integration of approaches tailored to client needs, including an understanding of group dynamics.
Unit 6: Understanding addiction: part 1
This module centres on the physiological and psychological changes resulting from addiction. Students will comprehend the role of reinforcement in addictive behaviour and gain insights into the fundamental action of drugs and their impacts. This encompasses understanding the connection between the central nervous system and addiction.
Unit 7: Understanding addiction: part 2
This module extends the exploration of physiological and psychological themes previously discussed. It provides insights into the categorisation and classification of commonly consumed drugs. Students will delve into the psychological disorders commonly associated with the causes and effects of addiction. The module also elucidates counselling models within the context of addiction.
Unit 8: Focusing on substance addiction
This module establishes definitions and categorisations for prevalent drugs in contemporary society and explores factors contributing to substance misuse. It delves into the impacts of these drugs on individuals and the behavioural changes associated with addiction. Furthermore, it outlines and discusses specific counselling skills essential for practitioners in this field of therapy.
Unit 9: Focusing on alcohol addiction
This module scrutinises the elements influencing alcohol abuse and the physiological aspects of alcohol addiction. It delves into the escalating problem of alcohol consumption, and its repercussions on clients and their broader social circles, encompassing families, colleagues, and friends. Students will acquire expertise in specialised counselling skills.
Unit 10: Discussion on other addictions such as smoking, food and shopping
This module covers various common addictions, exploring the contributing factors to behaviours such as smoking, shopping, gambling, food, and sex. It compares different addictive behaviours studied in the course, addressing the complexity of certain addictions, including multiple dependencies and underlying issues. Students will gain confidence in developing suitable counselling programs for situations encountered in a therapeutic setting.
Requirements
- All students must be 16 years of age and above to enter into our Addiction Counselling Short Course Diploma (Level 3). Short Course Diploma courses require a minimum prior learning to GCSE standard in order that students can manage their studies and the assumed knowledge within course content.