Clinical Approaches to the Addictions

Online Certificate Program

Social service, mental health, and health agencies recognize the growing need for social workers and other mental health professionals with expertise in treating addiction disorders. Increased emphasis on co-occurring disorders makes advanced training even more valuable. This Post-Master’s Program integrates sophisticated, clinical understanding with the latest evidence-based knowledge regarding screening, assessment, and treatment of individuals with alcohol and other drug disorders, as well as process addictions such as gambling and eating and sexual disorders. New York Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) credits are provided.

Program Highlights

• A psychodynamically oriented clinical understanding of the current drugs of abuse and patterns of abuse

• Understanding and treating non-chemical addictions such as eating disorders, gambling, and sexual disorders

• The latest evidence-based knowledge regarding screening, assessment, and treatment of individuals with substance use disorders, including tobacco addiction. Trends in treatment, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, self-help, and uses of medications

• Interventions with families and children of substance abusers, adolescents, women, involuntary clients, and trauma victims

• Case studies are integrated throughout the program

"As a result of this course I am now aware of the clinical treatments available in working with a variety of addictions. These include; Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, the 12 step program, CBT and DBT. I was also exposed to assessment practices, and have a much better understanding of addictions from a neurobiological perspective. I was also given the opportunity to learn about substance use disorders, including Alcohol, Nicotine, and chemical substances. as well as eating disorders, gambling, and sexual addictions. Topics also included group work, child and family work, and integrated healthcare and dual diagnosis. As a result of this course I was able to network with staff and other students, and learn about actual cases. This helped me to make appropriate treatment referrals for my own clients."

– Recent Alumnus, Clinical Approach to the Addictions, 2018

This certificate is comprised of 26 sessions over two semesters, running online Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Assignments include weekly readings and a final learning assessment. 

The program runs online for 26 two-hour sessions, Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, over the course of the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 academic year.

Fall 2020

• September 14, 21
• October 5, 12, 19, 26
• November 2, 9, 23, 30
• December 7, 14

Spring 2021

• January 25
• February 1, 8, 22
• March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• April 5, 19, 26
• May 3, 10

Christine Fewell, PhD, LCSW, CASAC

Dr. Christine Fewell is Adjunct Professor of Social Work at NYU Silver and Interim Director of the school's Post-Master's Certificate Program in Clinical Approaches to the Addictions.  She is Co-coordinator of the Substance Use and Co-occurring Disorders Focused Learning Opportunity and Associate Editor of the Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions.

52 NYSED Continuing Education Contact Hours will be awarded for this program.

CASAC Hours

This program is OASAS-approved as a Section 1 Provider (Knowledge of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse). Section 1 curriculum carries 85 clock hours towards the CASAC 350-Hour Education and Training Standardized Curriculum. Visit the OASAS website for more information about the credentialing process and requirements.

You will need the following items to apply for this program:

• Current resume/CV 
• An essay describing your interest in this program and reason for applying 
• One professional reference

Application deadline: August 1, 2020

The cost of this certificate program is $2,574, which includes registration fee and cost of an online compendium of readings.

Available discounts include:

• 25% discount for NYU Silver School of Social Work MSW/PhD alumni
  
• 25% discount for field instructors currently working with NYU Silver School of Social Work graduate students.
• 15% discount for applicants who have already completed one NYU Silver certificate program.
• 50% discount for veterans.

Please note: discounts may not be combined.

Deposit: Upon acceptance into the program, a $250 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place. This deposit is applied to the total cost of tuition.