Overview
Deepen your knowledge and practical skills to engage effectively with individuals, groups, and families struggling with problematic substance use.
What you will learn
- Empathetic approaches in working with people struggling with problematic substance use
- Supportive counselling techniques for individual, family, and group settings
- Evidence-based models, tools, and interventions specific to substance use
- Trauma-informed practice
- The impacts of historic and systemic oppression
- Indigenous health models and cultural safety
- The values of inclusion and social justice
- Concepts of a helping relationship (respect, self-awareness, ethics)
- Effective communication
- Language as an agent of social change
- Self-awareness and challenging of assumptions
What to expect
- Practical and experiential learning
- Emphasis on skills and integration of knowledge and practice
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Group discussions and activities
- Demonstrations
- Guest lectures
- Videos
- Clinical simulations
- Field trips
- Presentations
- Group projects
- Exams
- Research
- Assignments
- Lab work
- Portfolios
- Self-assessment and reflection
- Supervised community practicum
Admission requirements
- Successful completion of VCC's Counselling Skills Foundational Certificate program or equivalent
- English language proficiency at a minimum Grade 12 'C+' level
Upon Acceptance:
- Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free in academic upgrading, university transfer or English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses.
Recommended Characteristics
- Basic computer skills
- Familiarity and comfort with basic research skills
- Ability to give and receive feedback
- Maturity, emotional stability and a suitability to work in a helping role
- A sufficient level of self-awareness and personal and professional development to be able to attend to another person
- An interest in helping people and willingness to work in support positions in community settings
Fees and other costs
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $36 | |
| Tuition | $6,004 | |
| College initiative | $42 | |
| Campus resource | $121 | |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Total | $6,248 |
Need help with tuition?
Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.