At ICAM we offer the most comprehensive and in-depth addictions counselor course training program on the market. We also offer it for less than the other schools AND fully self-study so you can learn at your own pace in your PJ’s. Most of our courses can be translated into college credit hours, so please check with your local college if you are working on a degree.

Below we have the curriculum and breakdown of the syllabus of training in each class. Each class is a fully self-study integrated model. Once you complete each section within each course, you will have exam questions to complete as you go through the manual. You will need to obtain a passing (70%) to move to the next course. We offer the most comprehensive and thorough training for addictions counseling and substance use disorder training on the market, and we surpass most state and federal guidelines when it comes to credentialing education. If you have college credits, please consult us before registering as some of your classes may qualify.

***PLEASE NOTE*** The 255 hours in-person practicum is optional for most boards; however, it is required in the state of California. You can also purchase these courses individually or all of them at once to receive a tuition discount.

Our Curriculum and Syllabus are below for each class and the number of hours is listed next to each module. You will complete short exams interwoven in the materials to make sure you understand the information and to prepare you for each state, providence, or international examination.  Remember you can purchase each of these classes separately or together for a tuition discount. The practicum is optional for some state and federal boards, please verify if you need it or call us to help clarify exactly what you need to sit for the exams.

ICAM100: Understanding Addiction/Treatment Knowledge (an overview) 80 hours

• Overview of addiction and treatment
• Understanding when addiction treatment protocols are necessary
• Understand and apply The Disease of Addiction and treatment options and modalities (overview)
• Understand Dual or Triple Diagnoses (mental illness, HIV, mental disability)
• Understand Etiology/Causation of Addiction and dependence liability
• Gain Knowledge of History of Addiction and/or Addiction Treatment
• Involvement and Treatment of Family in Recovery
• Apply the Models of Treatment
• Understanding Other Substances and Behavioral Addictions
• Pharmacology and Physiology (including alcohol) 45 hours specific:
• Understand and apply Differentiation between Tolerance vs. Dependence markers
• Learn Psychoactive drugs, toxic and therapeutic effects/uses
• Understand and apply basic pharmacology principles
• To gain knowledge in the Physical Aspects of Addiction, Brain Science
• Understanding the Relationship of Addiction to Health, Crime, and Other Social Problems
• Signs, Symptoms, Progression of Addiction
• Understanding additional Treatment Components
• Types of Service Modalities (residential, outpatient, etc.)
• Use of Support Groups
• Understanding human development theories: Lifespan, Role Theory, Self-Actualization, Self in Relations, Attachment Theory, etc.
• Understanding how human development and cognitive abilities form and relevancy to addiction
• Understanding Nature vs. Nurture Concepts

ICAM 101: Documentation: 15 hours

• Utilizing Assessment Tools, Assessing Treatment Signs and Progress
• Utilizing Client Screening Tools (those currently in use)
• Understanding Client Intake Procedures
• Understanding and Utilizing Discharge or Transfer Summaries
• Creating Proper Clinical Documentation
• Understanding Electronic Health Records/Technology
• Understanding Privacy & Confidentiality
• Creating and Generating Progress Notes
• Understanding how to engage clients in the treatment process
• Creating Psychosocial Summaries
• Reports/Record Keeping/Records Management

ICAM 102: Counseling Theories and Techniques: Individual and Group: 80 hours

• Client Progress Assessment and Response
• Developing Counseling Theories/Techniques
• Creating a Therapeutic Relationship with the client
• Demonstrating Active and Empathetic Listening Skillset
• Demonstrating Mirroring, Reflecting Listening, and Paraphrasing situations with the client (oral presentation/role play)
• Developing a Therapeutic Alliance with the client in 5 steps
• Applying Evidence-based Practices
• Understand the relevance of Individual/Group/Family Counseling
• Understanding Transference, Counter Transference
• Demonstrating Motivational Interviewing Techniques and 3 effective questioning techniques (oral presentation/role play)
• Demonstrating Communication Styles; Challenging, clarification, Reflection (role play)
• Types of Treatment Programs/Levels of Treatment
• Create and Understand Group Intervention
• Knowledge of Counseling Theory versus Counseling Practice
• Understanding Group Therapy Dynamics
• Creating Counselling Techniques in group settings
• Application of Life Skills and implementation of problem-solving techniques in Group settings
• Establishing a therapeutic relationship setting
• Creating Safe Space in a Group
• Creating and Demonstrating life skills in Group Techniques
• Understanding Group Intervention Techniques
• Understanding Counseling Theory
• Understating the differences between educational, psychoeducational, therapeutic, and self-help groups
• Creation of group curriculum

ICAM103: Application to Practice/Professional and Personal Growth: 50 hours

• Care for the Caregiver
• Understanding Burnout and personal wellness
• Understanding your limitations as a counselor
• Understanding burnout and compassion fatigue
• Demonstrating Crisis Intervention/Verbal De-escalation
• Understanding Ethics and Ethical Decision-making
• Understanding Differences between Individual, Group, and Family Counseling Techniques (role play)
• Understanding Laws Governing Privacy, Confidentiality, and HIPAA
• Understanding Management and Leadership Skills
• Understanding Medication-Assisted Treatment
• Understanding Models of Treatment
• Demonstration of Observation and Communication Skills (role play)
• Understanding Rules and Regulations that Govern Full Continuum of Services and Referrals
• Demonstrating Knowledge of Special Population Needs/Cultural Competence
• Demonstrating Supervision Techniques (role play)
• Understanding Research/Translating Research to Practice
• Understanding Wellness, Alternative Therapies, Nutrition
• Demonstration of Motivational Interviewing Techniques
• Demonstration of Trauma-Informed Care Approach

ICAM 104: Treatment Planning and Special Populations: 30 hours

• Understanding Correct Client Placement Criteria
• Developing Individualized Treatment Plans
• Understanding Drug Court/Correction-based Treatment/Policy/Theory
• Enhancing Client Choice/Client-Directed Care
• Utilizing Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Treatment Protocols
• Understanding Youth/Adolescent needs
• Understanding the needs of Women, LBGTQ, Indigenous Populations, Geriatric, High-Risk populations
• Creating the proper Intake/Orientation to Treatment
• Understanding Medication-assisted Treatment
• Creating On-going Assessment
• Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Progress
• Understanding Special Population Needs: corrections, prison/parole/probation, HIV/Aids
• Understanding Mental health, dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders
• Creating Stages of Change and Treatment Goals/Interventions
• Following Treatment Goals and Measuring Success
• Treatment Planning/Models of Treatment

ICAM 105: Clinical Evaluation: 35 hours

• Demonstrate how to assess drug and alcohol addiction
• Understanding the Tools of Assessment
• Understand Addiction & Human Growth/Development
• Demonstrate the Addictive Process and Readiness to Change Scale
• Understanding Client Orientation
• Knowledge and use of Client Assessment and Screening Tools
• Assessment Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques
• Creating and Demonstrating Client Engagement
• Understand how to Client Match to Service Array
• Understanding Detoxification Protocols
• Ability to Utilize DSM IV/Diagnosis Criteria / ASAM
• Understanding Motivational Interviewing
• Other Substance & Behavioral Addictions – Gambling/Smoking/Food
• Assessing Readiness and Motivation for Treatment
• Understanding and Applying Risk Factors/Risk Assessment/Risk Management
• Applying Screening Instruments, Procedures, and Techniques
• Utilizing Screening/Assessment for Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders
• Understanding Signs/Symptoms/Stages of SUD, Active Use and Withdrawal
• Urinalysis and Other Biological Assessments

ICAM 106: Client, Family and Community Education (includes Domestic Violence, Cultural Diversity Requirements): 50 hours

• Understanding and Applying Adult Learning Theory
• Knowledge of Anger Management Skills
• Creating Client Education and Family Goal Setting
• Changing Criminal Behavior/Criminal Thinking Errors/Offender Treatment
• Understanding Co-Dependency
• Understanding Cultural Diversity/Special Populations
• Understanding Domestic Violence
• Understanding Family Dynamics and effects of addiction on various family roles
• Knowledge of self-help groups, educational, psychoeducational, and therapeutic groups, and demonstration of each
• Knowledge of HIV/TB/Hepatitis C
• Understanding and family interventions
• Demonstrating Application of Life Skills
• Knowledge of family counseling techniques
• Understanding and Demonstrating Theories of Counseling Techniques in the Family vs. Group and Individual
• Understanding Victim vs. Perpetrator Counseling

ICAM 107: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Responsibilities: 45 hours

• Understanding Boundaries / Transference
• Knowledge of Computer Ethics and online recordkeeping CRMS
• Understanding Cultural Competence, supervision, and professional development
• Understanding and Application of Ethical Decision Making / Code of Ethics
• Application of Laws / Rules & Regulations, including legal issues and correct reporting techniques
• Understanding Organizational Ethics
• Understanding Policy in Human Services
• Demonstration of consent versus negligence
• Record keeping in terms of legal and ethical necessities
• Understanding and Demonstration of Privacy / Confidentiality / HIPPA/Disclosure
• Understanding Relationships / Dual Relationships
• Understanding Sexual Misconduct
• Understanding client welfare is a primary concern
• Demonstrating Boundaries in the Therapeutic Relationship
• Understanding the relationship between referral sources and outside sources, counselors, and organizations
• Understanding the sensitive nature of financial issues of the client

ICAM 108: Telehealth 15 hours

• Understanding Telehealth
• Understanding client portals and EMR systems
• Understanding HIPAA compliant software programs
• Knowledge of Covid 19 Exceptions, considerations, and new models
• Understanding Limitations of Telehealth
• Creating Documentation for online sessions
• Knowledge of DEA guidelines for prescriptions
• Knowledge of SAMSHA Guidelines
• Knowledge of Medicaid and Private pay guidelines
• Demonstrating Correct reporting techniques
• Understanding Health Privacy Rules
• Facilitating Resources/links for more information

ICAM 109: Case Management and Referral: 45 hours

• Creating Advocacy/Liaison Activities
• Understanding Case Management Roles and Functions
• Creating Client Referrals and service platform coordination
• Creating Community Resources/Services
• Understanding Confidentiality/HIPPA Issues with Referrals
• Creating and Implementation of Consultation with other Professionals
• Understanding Continuum of Care/Placement and aftercare follow up- follow-through
• Understanding and Utilizing Managed Care Systems
• Following the Referral Outcome/Evaluation
• Creating the proper Service/Care Coordination/Collaboration
• Understanding Special Population Needs

ICAM 200: Supervised Practicum 45 hours

The course includes supervision by a qualified instructor and includes direct supervision. The instructor must also be available for consultation while the student is completing fieldwork requirements.

ICAM 201: Supervised Fieldwork Practicum (Internship)

A minimum requirement of 255 hours of practical experiences performed at an agency approved by the aforementioned instructor. The student must complete all of the 12 Core functions at the internship site. Each core function requires a minimum of 21 hours of practicum. The application of knowledge and skills in a practice setting is essential to professional counseling. The fieldwork is the means by which students learn to apply and integrate acquired knowledge and values; and to refine skills that are taught in the classroom.