Co-Occurring Disorders Certificate Program
Formerly referred to as “Dual Diagnosis,” Co-Occurring Disorders refers to the simultaneous existence of a substance abuse/dependence issue and a diagnosable mental illness. This duality presents specific clinical and treatment planning issues, and its early detection and treatment is at the forefront of virtually every substance abuse and mental health intervention. Students who enroll may also choose to aggregate other “core curriculum” coursework offered in our Addiction Counseling Program, allowing them to satisfy the anticipated requirements to become Board Certified in this emerging field.
Prerequisite: Drugs, Society, & Behavior: Social and Pharmacological Aspects of Alcohol and Other Drugs of Abuse (or similar course)
Requirements: Three courses (outlined below) totaling 25 units and 250 classroom and Supervised Practica contact hours.
CODX 800 Co-Occurring Disorders: Detection, Intervention and Treatment of Coexisting Mental Illness and Substance Related Disorders.
Units: 4.5 | Classroom Hours: 45
Course Description: This survey course is designed as the platform “Dual Diagnosis” course in both the Addiction Counseling Certificate and Co-Occurring Disorders Certificate Programs. Many of the most significant aspects of Co-Occurring disorders among adult populations, and the relationship between chemical/substance use, abuse and dependency, as well as the occurrence of other mental health disorders, will be reviewed and studied. The importance of understanding this relationship and its complex connection to effective screening, assessment, diagnosis and treatment will be covered in detail. Competence in utilizing the DSM –IVTR will be stressed. Guest lecturers/speakers will be included in classroom lecture schedule.
CODX 801 Abnormal Psychology
Units: 4.5 | Hours: 45
Course Description: Students will be introduced to: (a) the terminology, concepts, and research topics of contemporary abnormal psychology (psychopathology), (b) the categories of behavior disorders, considering each of the major psychiatric or psychological classifications and their differentiating characteristics and (c) the physiological, psychological, and sociocultural factors as etiological in behavior disorders (the biopsychosocial model of behavior). Students will be asked to critically examine these areas in the historical and current context of psychology.
CODX 803 Advanced Applications in the Assessment and Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders
Units: 4.5 | Classroom Hours: 45
Course Description: This course is specifically for students who have applied their primary co-occurring disorders coursework to an LMU Extension-issued certificate in Addiction Counseling. The relationship between chemical/substance use, abuse and dependency, as well as the occurrence of other mental health disorders, will be studied in detail. Competence in utilizing the DSM –IVTR will be highlighted.
CODX 802 Supervised Fieldwork and Professional Growth
Units: 16. NOTE: This class spans two semesters:
Classroom Hours: 32
Supervised Practicum (Externship) Hours: 128
Prerequisite: Completion of two CODX 800-series courses
Course Description: A comprehensive, sixteen-unit course combining academic and externship experience to complete the rigorous Supervision and Experience requirements of LMU Extension’s Co-Occurring Disorders Certificate. Special in-service trainings in Ethical Issues specific to COD (Co-Occurring Disorders) populations will be highlighted in this course. Weekly classroom supervision and academic involvement will supplement the student’s (128) required Supervised Externship hours, consisting of at least sixteen (16) documented, supervised hours in each of the eight (8) Practice Domains of:
- Clinical Evaluation (Screening and Assessment)
- Treatment Planning
- Referral
- Service Coordination (consultation, implementation of treatment plan and ongoing assessment)
- Counseling
- Client, Family, and Community Education
- Documentation
- Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
Rationale, Definitions, and Prerequisites for Supervised Fieldwork
- Supervised Fieldwork is defined as experience in which the counselor (student) received clinical training and supervision at an LMU-instructor approved agency.
- Clinical Supervision is defined as a specific aspect of staff development dealing with clinical skills and competencies for students providing counseling.
- A Supervisor is defined as a licensed Psychiatrist, Psychologist or Psychotherapist, Medical Doctor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or other equivalent.
- The Format for supervision is one to one /individualized discussion or small groups, on a regular/weekly basis.
- Methods of Review include review of specific cases and treatment status, utilizing direct observation of a counselor providing counseling services. Coursework will duplicate this model during our weekly classroom sessions. Approximately half of class will involve academic material/instruction and the remainder will involve a group supervision format.
Prerequisite: Completion of two CODX 800-series courses (One may be concurrent with approval of Instructor).