How to Get Certified to be an Addiction Therapist in Michigan
As an aspiring addiction therapist in the state of Michigan, you might be wondered what all you are going to have to do to get certified and to start working in your chosen profession. The truth of the matter is, however, that you might not even need certification at all. Whether or not you will need certification and/or licensure depends heavily on the exact job you want to do. If you plan on being a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist, for example, statewide certification is mandatory. For other positions, however, it is optional or even not a choice you have at all. The process you will have to go through, then, will depend heavily on the exact job you wish to have.
One thing that you will need, no matter what position you wish to pursue, is a formal education. Without this, you will not be able to work in the field in any capacity. In Michigan, there are a very limited number of extremely entry level positions in the field that you can obtain with only an associate's degree. However, these jobs are few and far between, and with more and better qualified people applying for such positions due to the tough economy, it's really in your best interest to obtain at least a bachelor's degree.
A bachelor's degree, which you can obtain from almost any accredited four year college or university in Michigan or even online, will allow you to gain knowledge in a related field. While most schools will not offer a full degree in "addiction therapy," you can get a degree in psychology, sociology, or something similar and choose to take courses relating mostly to addiction therapy. Some schools even allow students to have a specialization or concentration in addiction and/or substance abuse. This is a great way to give you an edge over other potential employees.
As mentioned briefly above, there are a few jobs out there that will require you to possess a master's degree or a doctoral degree. These tend to be the best paying jobs in the field and often require certification and/or licensure as well. However, this is not the only reason for pursuing a master's or doctoral degree. Even if your job of choice does not require one, possessing a higher level degree can enable you to make more money right from the start. Also, master's degrees are good choices for those who have already completed their undergraduate degrees in an unrelated field and who do not wish to obtain an entirely different undergraduate degree.
If it turns out that your job of interest does require certification and/or licensure, then this is usually your next step after graduation. The process typically involves completing a set number of supervised experiential learning hours pertaining to the job you would like to do, such as working in a hospital under the supervision of other psychologists. You will also be required to take a test for certification or licensure. The test, which is statewide, will test all of the things you learned in school and from your experiential learning and whether or not you pass will determine if you receive your licensure or certification. The good news is that you can always retake the test after a set amount of time has passed, and there is no shame in taking a few tries to pass these very difficult examinations. Once you have your licensure or certification or have completed any other qualifications necessary for the job of your choice, you'll be ready to enjoy a lucrative position in addiction therapy.