Available courses

Course Description: 

This course offers an overview of and basic understanding of the addictive process. It includes a glimpse into how substance use affects specific populations, including men, women, people with disabilities, older adults, and youth. This course includes understanding the Minnesota Model, the Twelve-Step experience, and multicultural counseling strategies.   

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Discuss the drug classification system. 

  • Describe and discuss the psychological, sociological, and physiological effects of mood-altering substances and behaviors. 

  • Discuss services and treatment alternatives for the psychological, sociological, and physical effects of mood-altering substance behaviors. 

  • Discuss issues related to drug regulations and enforcement in the U.S. 

  • Describe the goal of drug intervention, education, and prevention strategies. 

  • Identify the requirements for licensure and certification in California and the 12 Core Functions of the addiction counselor. 

  • Define ethical standards governing the field of the addiction counselor including professionalism and confidentiality. 

  • Identify intersectional issues related to addiction services.

  • Describe the continuum of care as related to alcohol and other drug misuse. 

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Attend pre-scheduled Student Seminars monthly as assigned by instructor.  

  • Engage in and complete assigned Student Discussion Forums as outlined by instructor. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answer, multiple choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by instructor. 

  • Update Key Terms Journal weekly as assigned for reference and help on your exams/essays.


Course Description:

This course provides an overview of the physiology and pharmacology of the drug, alcohol, and other psychotropic mind-altering legal and illegal substances. This course focuses on how substances affect the brain and additional motor functions. This course provides scientific approaches to understand the detoxification process, clinical assessments, and medications for addiction treatment. This course introduces the fundamental background needed to assist professionals in understanding the nature of addiction, problems associated with various drugs of abuse, and considerations needed when helping those seeking detoxification and early recovery from chemical dependency. 

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Describe the behavioral, psychological, physiological, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user.  

  • Differentiate between tolerance, cross tolerance and synergistic effects. 

  • Understand the disease model including signs and symptoms, research, neurobiological, AMA definition, Jellinek’s work. 

  • Understand the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care. 

  • Examine the effects of alcohol and similar legal psychoactive drugs to the body and behavior; damage to the body and behaviors; damage to the brain, liver and other organs.  

  • Understand the basic endocrinologistic and neurological processes involved in psychoactive drug use, including synergistic effects and risk factors. 

  • Be familiar with the medical and pharmacological resources available in the treatment of substance use disorders. 

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Attend pre-scheduled Student Seminars monthly as assigned by instructor.  

  • Engage in and complete assigned Student Discussion Forums as outlined by instructor. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answer, multiple choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by instructor. 

  • Update Key Terms Journal weekly as assigned for reference and help on your exams/essays.


Course Objectives:

This course is designed to provide students with full competency in the twelve core functions of patient cases from screening to discharge. It includes an exploration of treatment planning and documentation for addictions professionals. It includes methods to create motivation for change in SUD treatment, relapse prevention, referral services, and a dive into co-occurring disorders. Students will master all writing aspects of addiction treatment, including record-keeping, reports, and case notes.  

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Develop a treatment plan.

  • Analyze case management of SUD clients as a clinical skill.  

  • Argue that case management of SUD clients can or should be integrated with psychotherapy.  

  • Understand recovery-oriented systems of care and apply recovery-oriented care to case management and clinical practice. 

  • Understand patient screening and placement levels based on individual needs, and placement instrumentation.   

  • Understand Professional Responsibility with respect to the issues of client’s rights and confidentiality. 

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Attend pre-scheduled Student Seminars monthly as assigned by instructor.  

  • Engage in and complete assigned Student Discussion Forums as outlined by instructor. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answer, multiple choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by instructor. 

  • Update Key Terms Journal weekly as assigned for reference and help on your exams/essays. 


Course Description:

This course is designed to provide students with fundamental individual and group counseling skills through the employment of evidence-based practices in addiction treatment, including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy. This course offers guidelines and techniques to work with families and explores the educational psychology of brain-compatible learning.  

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of counseling theories based on understanding of theoretical content in order to inform treatment with diverse clients (as it pertains to addictions).

  • Demonstrate knowledge, techniques, and interventions for prevention and treatment to work with diverse populations in various settings (as it pertains to additions). 

  • Understand theories and etiology of addictions and addictive behaviors. 

  • Understand the potential for substance use disorders to mimic and/or co-occur with a variety of neurological, medical, and psychological disorders. 

  • Identify signs and symptoms of substance abuse in children and adolescents as well as the signs and symptoms of living in a home where substance use occurs. 

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Attend pre-scheduled Student Seminars monthly as assigned by instructor.  

  • Engage in and complete assigned Student Discussion Forums as outlined by instructor. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answer, multiple choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by instructor. 

  • Update Key Terms Journal weekly as assigned for reference and help on your exams/essays.


Course Description:

This course is designed to provide students with tools to assess their own professional and personal growth related to the fields of addiction and mental health. It includes a review of the needs for professional growth and the means to maintain a standard of excellence. This course investigates methods of self-care, professional development, professional organizations for addictions professionals, and career planning.  

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Develop a clear vision of what success means individually.

  • Gain self-awareness and emotional awareness.

  • Pinpoint your personality traits, values, skills and interests.  

  • Set specific, achievable short- and long-term goals.

  • Learn strategies for coping with stress, anger, and other negative emotions.

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Attend pre-scheduled Student Seminars monthly as assigned by instructor.  

  • Engage in and complete assigned Student Discussion Forums as outlined by instructor. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answer, multiple choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by instructor. 

  • Update Key Terms Journal weekly as assigned for reference and help on your exams/essays. 


Course Description:

This course is designed to provide students with closely supervised work experience in a community clinical setting, by assessing mastery of the twelve core functions. It is used to assess clinical competency in assessments, treatment planning, group facilitation, record-keeping, and general agency procedures. Students work with an addiction treatment supervisor through Tarzana Treatment Centers, Inc.  

The goal of the Practicum course is to provide students with practical experience in private or public healthcare, behavioral healthcare, or integrated healthcare organization setting.  The goal is to advance the student’s decision-making abilities in a real-world environment in an organizational setting that helps to advance their career pathway. “Theory to Application” experience. The Program is designed to fulfill the educational requirements necessary for credentialing as a certified addiction treatment counselor in the state of California. 

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate mastery of the TAP 21 Practice Dimensions for Addiction Counselors. 

  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of professional values and ethical behavior. 

  • Demonstrate the applications of intersectional praxis in a professional environment. 

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answers, multiple-choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by the instructor. 

  • Meeting with Practicum instructor to align learning with practice in the field. 



Course Description: 

This course offers an overview of and basic understanding of the addictive process. It includes a glimpse into how substance use affects specific populations, including men, women, people with disabilities, older adults, and youth. This course includes understanding the Minnesota Model, the Twelve-Step experience, and multicultural counseling strategies.   

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Discuss the drug classification system. 

  • Describe and discuss the psychological, sociological, and physiological effects of mood-altering substances and behaviors. 

  • Discuss services and treatment alternatives for the psychological, sociological, and physical effects of mood-altering substance behaviors. 

  • Discuss issues related to drug regulations and enforcement in the U.S. 

  • Describe the goal of drug intervention, education, and prevention strategies. 

  • Identify the requirements for licensure and certification in California and the 12 Core Functions of the addiction counselor. 

  • Define ethical standards governing the field of the addiction counselor including professionalism and confidentiality. 

  • Identify intersectional issues related to addiction services.

  • Describe the continuum of care as related to alcohol and other drug misuse. 

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Attend pre-scheduled Student Seminars monthly as assigned by instructor.  

  • Engage in and complete assigned Student Discussion Forums as outlined by instructor. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answer, multiple choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by instructor. 

  • Update Key Terms Journal weekly as assigned for reference and help on your exams/essays.


Course Description:

This course provides an overview of the physiology and pharmacology of the drug, alcohol, and other psychotropic mind-altering legal and illegal substances. This course focuses on how substances affect the brain and additional motor functions. This course provides scientific approaches to understand the detoxification process, clinical assessments, and medications for addiction treatment. This course introduces the fundamental background needed to assist professionals in understanding the nature of addiction, problems associated with various drugs of abuse, and considerations needed when helping those seeking detoxification and early recovery from chemical dependency. 

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Describe the behavioral, psychological, physiological, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user.  

  • Differentiate between tolerance, cross tolerance and synergistic effects. 

  • Understand the disease model including signs and symptoms, research, neurobiological, AMA definition, Jellinek’s work. 

  • Understand the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care. 

  • Examine the effects of alcohol and similar legal psychoactive drugs to the body and behavior; damage to the body and behaviors; damage to the brain, liver and other organs.  

  • Understand the basic endocrinologistic and neurological processes involved in psychoactive drug use, including synergistic effects and risk factors. 

  • Be familiar with the medical and pharmacological resources available in the treatment of substance use disorders. 

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Attend pre-scheduled Student Seminars monthly as assigned by instructor.  

  • Engage in and complete assigned Student Discussion Forums as outlined by instructor. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answer, multiple choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by instructor. 

  • Update Key Terms Journal weekly as assigned for reference and help on your exams/essays.


Course Description:

This course is designed to provide students with ethical considerations and issues related to addiction counseling in the state of California. It includes confidentiality requirements, HIPPA, and reporting requirements. The course largely covers laws relating to alcohol and drug use and abuse. Additionally, it provides a lens through which those working within the arenas of addiction prevention, intervention, and treatment can be sensitized to recognize ethical dilemmas when they arise and to use a structured model of ethical problem-solving to respond to such situations. The course is designed to provide a safe format –a rehearsal –for the exploration of ethical dilemmas before workers encounter such situations in the practice of their professional roles. Another goal of this course is to outline a process through which standards of ethical conduct can be developed as a component of a healthy, service oriented organizational culture. This course is predicated on the belief that ethical sensitivity and service effectiveness are inseparable, and that well-defined ethics and values can empower organizations, the people who work in them, and the people served by them.  

Educational Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • Demonstrate competence in patient rights, ethics, and professional liability for SUD counselors.  

  • Understand Code of Conduct or ethical codes.  

  • Understand Nondiscriminatory practices. 

  • Interpret HIPAA Laws.  

  • Adhere to federal and state laws, and agency regulations regarding the treatment of substance use disorders. 

  • Understand the addiction professional’s obligations to adhere to ethical and behavioral standards.  

  • Think critically regarding ethical conundrums covering multiple categories.  

You will meet the objectives listed above through a combination of the following activities in this course: 

  • Read assigned Chapters and watch assigned Videos for corresponding weeks. 

  • Attend pre-scheduled Student Seminars monthly as assigned by instructor.  

  • Engage in and complete assigned Student Discussion Forums as outlined by instructor. 

  • Take exams on conceptual information that incorporate short answer, multiple choice, and/or essay-style written assignments as assigned by instructor. 

  • Update Key Terms Journal weekly as assigned for reference and help on your exams/essays.