Responding to the Challenge: Development of a Master's Training Program in the Addictions

• Published in: Translational issues in psychological science 2021-06, Vol.7 (2), p.186-200
• Main Authors: Vaughan, Ellen L., Waldron, Mary, Gilman, Lynn, Adams, Lauren E., Kennedy, Kyle W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addiction; Graduate Education; Graduate Students; Human; Mental Health Personnel; Opiates; Professional Supervision; Program Development; Sciences; Substance Use Disorder; Training
• ISSN: 2332-2136; 2332-2179
• DOI: 10.1037/tps0000235

The opioid crisis has brought to the forefront the critical shortage of mental health professionals trained to adequately meet the needs of people with substance use disorders. The aim of this article is to describe the development of a master's level graduate training program in the addictions. The overall aim of the program is to: (a) to train addiction counselors using a scientist-practitioner framework, and (b) to embed data collection procedures to assess client outcomes as well as to measure the acquisition of skills among practitioner trainees. Students in the program will receive core curriculum content grounded in the science of addiction, including empirically supported treatments, and clinical training will be delivered through the departmental training clinic as well as community-based agencies. What is the significance of this article for the general public? The opioid crisis in the United States has shown that there are too few mental health professionals to help those with substance use disorders. This article describes the development of a master's program to train students who want to be counselors specializing in the addictions. In course work, students in the program will learn a variety of treatment approaches that are supported by research and develop skills as counselors in clinical settings. The program also emphasizes the need to provide students with feedback on their learning as well as feedback about how their clients are improving their mental health. Clinical training will occur in the departmental training clinic and in community agencies providing treatment for substance use disorders.