CASAC

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

The aim of this course is to introduce psychology undergraduate students to basic and advanced psychological theories, principles, and concepts related to development during infancy and childhood.  This course will review theories in the domains of development such as physical development, cognitive development, social-emotional development, attachment, moral reasoning, and social learning.  This course will also examine the impact of parental substance abuse on infancy and childhood development.

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for 12 hours of Section II - Theories of Human Development and the Relationship to Substance Abuse (classes 3-4, 5-6, 14-15, 19-20, 23-34, 27-28) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

This Course will promote critical thinking and to employ these skills while understanding foundational concepts in neuroscience. In addition, a major aim will be for students to gain a repertoire of basic knowledge regarding structure as it applies to function. Biological and psychological concepts will incorporate an understanding of neurologic, psychiatric, and developmental disorders.  

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for 30 hours of Section I- Basic knowledge of physical and pharmacological effects of substance use and abuse.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

This course addresses the social, biological, and psychological factors of the major drugs associated with therapeutic and recreational use and abuse. Topics include drug use as a social problem, theories, and treatment of addiction, how drugs work, detrimental health effects of drug use, and legal/ethical confidentiality issues. The aim of this course is to introduce CASAC and other psychology undergraduate students to the basic concepts relevant to understanding addictive behaviors.

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for Section I. Knowledge of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (28 hours (Classes 1-2, 5-6, 8-11, 13-15, 17-20, 27-30 and Section III. 6 hours Legal/Confidentiality (Classes 3, 4, 22, 23) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 VACCINATED.  CUNY Vaccine info https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

The aim of this course is to introduce CASAC and other psychology undergraduate students to basic concepts relevant to understanding the process of assessment and treatment of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD)-related problems. The course will review modern theories of addictions, assessment and evaluation of ATOD related problems, and the current range of treatment options available. Students will gain familiarity with the diagnostic criteria for alcohol and substance use disorders utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition (DSM-5), as well as understanding other screening instruments for addictions.

Students will be introduced to a range of evidence-based treatments including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, twelve-step facilitation, and contingency management.  The course will also expose students to the medications that have been developed to augment the treatment of addictions, and the ways medication and psychotherapy can work together.

This course meets the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for Section 1- Diversity of Intervention and Treatment Approaches (12 hours; classes 15 [block grant requirements], 18-26), Section I. Introduction to Diagnostic Criteria (6 hours; classes 6-12), Section I - Knowledge of 12 Step and Mutual Aid Groups (4 hours; classes 18-20), Section I - Toxicology Testing/ Screening (3 hours; classes 7-8), Section I – Supporting Recovery with MAT (3 hours of on-line training) and Section III - Assessment and Evaluation (20 hours; classes 2-15) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

All Students attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

The aim of this second section of treatment of substance abuse is to further introduce CASAC and other psychology undergraduate students to concepts relevant to the assessment, evaluation, treatment planning, case management, and referral and service coordination for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD)-related problems. A range of evidence-based methods will be discussed including the latest empirically supported screening and assessment instruments. Students will gain knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for alcohol and substance use disorders utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Emphasis in this course will be placed on treatment planning and case management. Students will learn how to build a therapeutic alliance, systematically gather data from clients and collateral sources, determine treatment readiness, and develop a treatment plan consistent with their clients’ goals. Students will gain knowledge and practical skills in case management, ongoing monitoring and assessment, and referral of clients to appropriate services as needed.

Throughout the course, additional emphasis will be placed on client record keeping and documentation of service coordination activities throughout the continuum of care.

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for 5 hours of Section II - Relapse Prevention Skills in Individual Counseling (classes 16-18), 4 hours of Section III - Assessment and Evaluation (classes 16-18), 24 hours of Section III - Treatment Planning, Client Record Keeping and Discharge Planning (classes 6-14,16-22) and 12 hours of Section III - Case Management, Referral, and Service Coordination (classes 23-30) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

The late 19th century saw a revolution in our ability to prevent devastating physical ailments through the promotion of hygiene.  The development of vaccines in the 20th century gave parents the possibility to safeguard their children from lethal diseases for which there is still no cure.  What then are the mechanisms with which we can prevent mental disorders as well as Alcohol, Tobacco, Other Drug and Gambling (ATODG) abuse disorders in the 21st  Century? Recent research has found that in the area of mental illness and ATODG, prevention is a future goal, while health promotion and risk reduction are viable foci of intervention now. 

This course will examine the history and societal tensions between mental health promotion and mental illness treatment.  We will study the skills necessary to promote mental health and reduce risks for mental illness through community-based interventions, while learning the specific vocabulary of prevention research.  We will examine current prevention research to determine the quality of data available to us today, and the needs for future information to improve prevention interventions.

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for 10 hours of Section II – Integrated Care (classes 1-2, 8-13,16-27), 10 hours of Section III - Patient, Family and Community Education and Prevention (classes 1-27), 6 hours of Section II - Counseling Special Populations/Cultural Competency (classes 2-4, 11-15, 20-27) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

The family is the basic social unit in which we live.  It is largely through the window provided by the family that we first encounter our broader society and culture.  Both the capacities and difficulties of individuals can be better understood when these are considered in the context of the individuals, families, and the broader systems within which families are embedded.  Through the course, the student will learn how family therapies can provide effective assistance in altering problematic patterns and strengthening family resilience.

The goal of this course is to help the student comprehend the theoretical concepts and intervention techniques in the field of family therapy. It is hoped that the student will acquire a basic knowledge regarding the concepts that represent family systems theory, to be able to utilize such concepts in developing hypotheses regarding treatment of such families, and to understand the range and types of therapeutic interventions that are common to family therapy approaches. A review of the major approaches to family system therapies will be provided with particular emphasis on communications, structural, and strategic family therapy concepts and methods. As a result of this knowledge base, students will be able to initiate the process of formulating interventions with families.  The impact of alcohol and substance issues upon the family system will serve as a model for ongoing discussions on family functioning and health; the student will develop an understanding of family systems perspectives on addictive disorders and their treatments.  Patterns of developmental and societal changes that impact families will also be studied. 

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for 3 hours of Confidentiality and Privacy; 6 hours/4 classes of Section II - Counseling Special Populations/Cultural Competency (Classes 9-12) and 15 hours/14 classes in Section II – Counseling and Communicating with Families and Significant Others (Classes 1-8, 13-30) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

This course provides a conceptual and experiential introduction to group dynamics, approaches to group counseling, techniques and styles of group leadership, and the facilitation of group processes in counseling situations. It is designed to prepare students to work with adults, youths, and children in various settings by conducting counseling groups. This course will also explore the use of group work in substance abuse treatment that will provide a helpful framework for furthering students’ understanding and appreciation of the function, practice, and utility of group work.

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for 39 hours of Section II - Group Counseling (classes1-26), and 6 hours of Section IV - Counselor-Client Relationship (classes 25-28) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

This course provides an overview of the field of addiction counseling with an emphasis on developing a detailed understanding and foundational counseling skills of individual and group counseling as well as the use of specific strategies, procedures, and interventions in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of substance abuse. The course will summarize key points drawn from the following areas: the American experience with addiction and recovery, theoretical explanations for understanding addiction, foundational skills including recognizing and responding to verbal and non-verbal behaviors, enhancing client engagement, basic pharmacology, and assessment and treatment issues specific to addiction counseling. The course will also provide a general overview and introduction to the psychopharmacology of alcohol, and major drugs and classes of abused substances as well as prescription drugs commonly used in treating mental health and addiction issues. Additional areas include intervention and treatment strategies and relevant issues pertaining to social justice and diversity.

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for 20 hours in Section II of Foundational Counseling Skills in Individual and Group Counseling (Classes 1-3; 8-16), 20 hours in Section II of Individual Counseling (Classes 17-30), and 5 hours in Section II of Crisis Management (Classes 4-7) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/

Minimum Education Requirements: High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED;TASC)

The aim of this course is to introduce CASAC and other psychology undergraduate students to basic concepts relevant to the application of clinical and counseling psychology, including pertinent ethical codes and considerations, provision of culturally competent interventions, and the centrality of the counselor and client relationship.  Students will gain knowledge of the professional and ethical responsibilities assumed by counselors through the operationalization of key formal ethical cannons.  Case vignettes will encourage the exploration and application of ethical codes within clinical scenarios. Students will learn basic counseling and communication skills through lectures, small group discussions, and role-plays.  Issues of multiculturalism and diversity will be presented and developed throughout the course via readings, discussions and student writing assignments. 

The course will familiarize students with theoretical and practical tenets of counselor and client interactions: ethical responsibilities, interpersonal dynamics and dilemmas, and clinical supervision.  Guest speakers will introduce the topic of counselor authenticity and clinical work. Lastly, the relevance and study of compassion fatigue will be addressed through a guest speaker’s firsthand account of her experience and research on the topic. Experiential exercises geared towards expanding students’ awareness and understanding of the psyche/soma relationship will serve as the basis for discussion of self-care, professional and personal well-being.

Course meets New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for 9 hours (6 classes) in Section IV - Ethical Decision Making & Conduct (Classes 1-6), 5 hours (3.5 classes) in Section II – Crisis Management (Classes 7-9), 13 hours (9 classes and an hour-long webinar) in Section II - Counseling Special Populations/Cultural Competency (Classes 10-14, 16-19), 10 hours (7 classes) in Section IV – Counselor-Client Relationships (Classes 20-27), 4 hours (3 classes in Section IV – Professional Development (Classes 26-27), 5 hours (3.3 classes) in Section IV - Counselor Wellness (Classes 27-30), and 2 hours in Section IV – Mandated Reporter Training (online course) in the Accredited CASAC-T Educational program.

Any student attending this course is required to be Covid19 Vaccinated. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/faqs/