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Becoming a CDP:
Chemical Dependency Professional
Required Education and Training
In Washington State
CDP Question: I am a CDP (Chemical
Dependency Professional)
with years of training and experience in chemical dependency programs. Why can't I use my CDP
credential in marketing my private practice?
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The Washington State law regulating CDP counselors reads:
RCW 18.205.040
Use of title.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the use of the
title "certified chemical dependency professional" when treating
patients in settings other than programs approved under chapter
70.96A RCW.
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When the state legislature created the Chemical Dependency
Professional (CDP)credential, there was a restriction placed on it. The CDP can
only be used in conjunction with employment in a licensed chemical dependency provider
(treatment program). I think all those chemical dependency programs around the state were afraid
that their employees would all run out and start their private practices in
competition and urged the restriction.
There is no similar
restriction on any other state granted credential, with the possible
exception of the Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) where the only
requirement is employment in a state licensed agency. It makes
on sense until you consider that until fairly recently, there was
absolutely no degree requirement to counsel in the chemical
dependency field. Back in the 1960's and 70's, all the
alcohol counselors in the alcohol treatment centers and the drug
counselors in the drug rehab programs (they were treated separately
in different facilities) were recovering alcoholics or addicts in
early recovery. When I came into the field in 1986, the only
academic requirement was eight alcohol/drug classes and a supervised
internship. The requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree
is very recent.
All too many CDPs
are not prepared by experience or education to provide chemical dependency counseling
outside the structure and supervision of a treatment facility.
So, if you are a licensed Washington State chemical dependency
treatment PROVIDER
(agency/facility) or in conjunction with your work in such a licensed program can you
use the CDP acronym or title. Evidently there is no way to legally use the CDP in your
private practice marketing--website,
stationery, advertising, or business cards--nor use the title Chemical Dependency
Professional unless you take the time to become a licensed provider..
(Counselors in private practice
can advertise saying that they have extensive experience in chemical
dependency counseling--just don't use CDP title or acronym.)
NOTE: In Washington
State, the use of the titles Chemical Dependency Professional and
Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee are protected under RCW
18.205.040. The title Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee
and CDPT cannot be used or signed by
any health professional unless they have applied for and received a Chemical Dependency
Professional Trainee Certification and are working in a DASA
approved facility will be able to refer to themselves as or sign
CDPT.
The application form for the CDPT credential is available on the
Washington State web page for CDPs and CDPTs.
Contact the quality assurance office for additional information or
clarification. [
Send an email to Health Profession Quality Assurance. ]
Question: I have a masters degree in mental health counseling. What
additional training do I need to do to
become a Chemical Dependency Professional?
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The Washington State Department of Health CDP Program is THE informational
resource for understanding
what it takes to become a certified Chemical Dependency Professional
in Washington State. Their website contains contact information, free downloads,
and lists the general requirements applied to persons entering the field.
You are going to be required to take
a number of chemical dependency related courses. These are offered at
community colleges which offer an Associate of Arts degree in Chemical
Dependency Counseling. Make an appointment to meet with the
academic counselor at this community college and have your previous
college credits evaluated.
The chemical dependency courses
that you will need to take are freshman and sophomore level
courses, so the class work is not as difficult as graduate work.
However the
approach is markedly different than the mental health approach to addiction and
the knowledge is absolutely essential to working in a chemical dependency
treatment program and to being accepted by other chemical dependency
professionals.
This is also one of those rare
situations when being a recovering alcoholic or drug addict can be beneficial.
And the hours spent in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, NA meetings or CODA
(Co-Dependents Anonymous) meetings, or Al-Anon (for family & friends of
alcoholics/addict) meetings can greatly help develop the depth of your
understanding and promote your acceptance by future patients.
Obtaining the CDP requires passing a national examination and completing 2,500 hours
of supervised internship. Candidates with a Masters Degree only
need to do 1,500 hours of internship. The requirements for an approved
supervisor are different that those for mental health counselor supervisors and
require that the supervisor be a CDP.
In the regular program,
after the first 1,500 hours interns often become paid
employees--though at a lower pay rate than fully qualified CDPs.
Just guessing, but with the shortage of CDPs, persons with masters
degrees should be able to negotiate for a salary of some kind.
But please don't take my word for it. Before entering the substance abuse
education track, go out and interview at least three potential employers
(CD treatment programs) to find out actual market conditions in that geographic
area.
Also note that the CDP designation,
Chemical Dependency Professional Certification, can only be
used while working as a an employee of an approved agency--not by persons in
private practice.
Question: I am interested in chemical dependency counseling as a career. I have an Associate of Arts degree (AA)
in general business from a community college. What
training courses would I need to take to become a chemical
dependency counselor in Washington State?
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The Chemical Dependency
Professional Certification program is described on the
Washington State Department of Health Website and includes
information on
(1.) Previous Certification/Licensure/Registration Verification in
Washington,
(2.) Substantial Equivalency--credentials from other states that are
substantially equivalent to the standards in Washington State,
(3.)
Examination Data and the value of NAADAC or ICRC certification,
(4.) Education and course topics: ninety quarter or sixty semester
college credits in courses from an approved school with at least
forty-five quarter or thirty semester credits must be in courses
relating to the chemical dependency profession and shall include the
topics listed in WAC 246-811-030(2), (a) through (w). [What
are the minimum education requirements for chemical dependency
professional certification?]
(5.) Proof of AIDS Education and Training
(6.) Verification of
Supervised Chemical Dependency Professional
Experience--how many hours of supervised chemical dependency
counselor intern is required and what are the various types of
counseling supervision settings are required. Please note that
the number of hours required varies according to the type of degree
obtained all degrees (AA, BA, BS, MA, MS, PhD) are assumed to be "in
human services or a related field."
THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE
the specific courses that will be required for a CDP
certification is to make an appointment to meet with a community
college counselor at a community college that offers an Associate of
Arts degree in chemical dependency counseling and have all your previous
college or university coursework evaluated. (Take a copy of
your transcripts of credit from each college with you to the
appointment.) Ask the counselor specifically, "Will my degree
in general business meet the requirement for a degree in a human
services or a related field?" [Note that It is possible that
different counselors at two different community colleges may
give you slightly different evaluation of your credits and the value
of your degree.]
The application form for the CDPT credential is available on the
Washington State web page for CDPs and CDPTs. See what
information the state requires to become a chemical dependency
professional trainee.
Return to "counselors' questions" page.
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Consumer Questions page.
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Dependency Professional (CDP) certification page
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