ICDS chemical dependency counselor training will prepare you to meet the education requirements to be a licensed/certified substance abuse counselor in your state.

Graduates of our program become effective, successful counselors and find jobs in a field with many employment opportunities.

ICDS counselor training is NAADAC-approved, recommended for College Credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) and qualifies for transfer college credit into the University of Phoenix.

Certifications and licensures you'll be eligible to obtain with ICDS counselor training:

AAP, ACAP, ACADC, ACPS, AODA, APP, CAC, CAC II, CADAC, CADC, CADC II, CADC III, CADP, CAP, CAS, CASAC, CASAC-T, CCDP, CCJAP, CCJAS, CCJP, CDC, CDC II, CDCS, CIT, CPP, CRADC,  LSAA, LADAC, LCDC, LCDC II, LCDC III, LCDP, LCDP II, LICDC & MLAP.

Course I: The Basics of Addiction Counseling (85 clock hours)

I - A Basic Knowledge: Physical and Pharmacological Effects
I - B Diversity of Intervention and Treatment Approaches
I - C Knowledge of 12 Step and Mutual Aid Groups

Course II: Basic Counseling Skills and Methods (150 clock hours)

II - A Individual Counseling
II - B Group Counseling
II - C Effects on Family – Counseling Families and Significant Others
II - D Counseling Special Populations
II - E Relapse Prevention
II - F Vocational Education Counseling
II - G Communicable Diseases: HIV/AIDS, STDs, TB, Hepatitis
II - H Human Growth and Development

Course III: The Core Functions of Addiction Counseling (70 clock hours)

III - A Assessment and Evaluation
III - B Case Management and Referral
III - C Treatment Planning, Client Record Keeping and Discharge Planning
III - D Patient, Family and Community Education and Prevention

Course IV: Ethics for the Addiction Counselor (45 clock hours)

IV - A Counselor Ethics
IV - B Confidentiality/Legal Issues
IV - C Counselor – Client Relationships
IV - D Counselor Wellness

Course V: Practicum (300 hours)*

V-A Clinical Evaluation
V-B Treatment Planning
V-C Referral
V-D Service Coordination
V-E Counseling
V-F Client Family and Community Education
V-G Documentation
V-H Professional and Ethical Responsibility

*Required in Texas

Tuition for the entire course is $3,000, $300 for books and materials and $25 for shipping and handling fees. No additional outside texts required to complete the course. For student financial assistance see applications > student financing.

Training - $3,000
Books - $300
Shipping - $25

Total - $3,325

The ICDS distance learning program offers college credit to it's students through the American Council on Education (ACE) and it's participating schools and through the University of Phoenix.

Up to 18 college credit hours can be transferred into the American Council on Education's participating schools, and up to 22.5 college credit hours can be transferred into the University of Phoenix's bachelor's or associate's degree programs.

For a breakdown of which courses qualify for college credit see the college credit page.

Once I've applied and paid, what happens next?

Your books and materials are shipped to you and an instructor is assigned by the administrative office. Your instructor will contact you and give you access to the ICDS private forum.. Here you can communicate with your instructor and other distance learning students. The forum is intuitive and easy to use.

What is a Mentor and Proctor and how do I find them?

Before starting the ICDS distance learning program you need to secure a mentor and a proctor.

If you don't have a possible mentor in mind, we recommend contacting treatment centers in your area. A currently licensed/certified drug and alcohol counselor, LPC, LMSW, MA in Counseling Psych or Clinical Psych, CCJP, or CPS will be appropriate. We are also happy to help you find a mentor.

Your proctor will be responsible for final exams. Your mentor can be your proctor, or you can obtain a formal proctoring site through your local college or university.

Where will I be able to gain employment?

Working in a number of different areas such as Residential Treatment; Outpatient Treatment; Outreach; Screening and Referral community programs; TDCJ; Dual Diagnosis Programs; Adolescent Programs; Women with children; Domestic Violence Victims or Offenders; Criminal Justice Programs; Veteran’s Programs; Employee Assistance Programs; Prevention Programs, Court Diversion Programs.

How long does it take to complete the training?

Six to nine months on average. There is a 90 day time limit per course. Most States have four courses, leaving you 360 days total to complete the training.

What if I have a criminal history?

Criminal history standards/statutes are different for every state. For information on criminal history standards that might affect you, contact the licensing body of your state (you can find their contact information by 1) click on your state under 'find your state' 2) scroll to the bottom of the page to 'additional information, then 3) download the list of certification requirements - you'll find all the contact information there). We are also happy to assist you with any questions you have regarding criminal history and you can contact us at 866-523-2669.

We're happy to answer any questions regarding our distance learning program.

• Request for Contact
• Central Office - (866) 523-2669
• AK, AR, CA, CT, IA, IL, MS, NM, OH, OR, PA, RI, TX and WA:
  Jennifer Holbrook - (512) 246-6007 or (866) 523-2669
  Jennifer@cdstudies.com
• Alabama and South Carolina:
  Thurston Smith - (843) 324-9608
  teesmith1@cdstudies.com
• Florida:
  Donna Hunter - (813) 871-2232
  
• New York:
  Ed Olson - (631) 467-8788
  Ed@cdstudies.com

• Proof of your previous education, (e.g. High School Diploma, GED, College Degree). Requirements vary depending on which certification/licensure you would like to obtain.
  
• A completed application.
  
• Secure a mentor in the field of CD Counseling and a proctor for the final exams (See FAQ for specfic information).

This is an application only. Financial arrangements can be made at a later time.

First Name:
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Date of Birth:
Gender:	Male Female
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Social Security #:
Phone:
Email:
Education:	GED HS Diploma Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree of Higher
Vocational/Other Training
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How did you hear about ICDS?	Recovery Today Referral Google Ad Search Engine Other:
If you do not need the full course, please choose which courses and materials you need (Leave blank if signing up for the full course). Course cost includes required manuals and textbooks.	Course I - The Basics of Addiction Counseling - 85 hours ($1,075) Course II - Basic Counseling Skills and Methods - 150 hours ($1,695) Course III - The Core Functions of Addiction - Counseling - 70 hours ($850) Course VI - Ethics for the Addiction Counselor - 45 hours ($620) Practicum (TX and CA only) Full Course - $3,325 (approx 16% discount)