The MFT Program at Oregon Institute of Technology is dedicated to preparing professionals to meet the diverse needs of clients with the study of:
- Trauma-informed care
- The systemic manifestation of mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders
- The impact each of the above have on family systems
Upon graduating from the MFT Program, students leave Oregon Tech with all of the required educational hours needed for the Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) III credentialing in Oregon. Additional clinical hours will be needed in order to obtain CADC credentialing. For more information about addictions counseling credentialing requirements in Oregon, go to https://www.mhacbo.org/en/certifications/
Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
In 2018 it was estimated that 20.3 million American adults over the age of 18 reported having a substance use disorder (SUD; SAMHSA, 2019). Of the 20.3 million Americans described above, 9.2 million people reported having both a SUD and a mental illness.
Unfortunately, only about half of individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders received mental health or substance use treatment in 2018. The connections between trauma, mental health issues, and substance use issues have been examined by numerous researchers and clinicians; and it is clear that in order for effective healing to take place, mental health clinicians must be prepared to treat both mental health and substance use related issues.
Recovery is an ongoing process, for both the addict and the family. In recovery, there is hope. And hope is a wonderful thing
- Dean Dauphinais
Information about substance use, substance misuse, and addiction is integrated throughout the MFT program, and is a particular focus in the following courses:
Introduction to Therapy: Theory and Skills
Fulfills the CADC Basic Counseling Skills educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Professional Studies: Developing Cultural Competencies
Fulfills the CADC Counseling Diverse Populations educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Introduction to Substance Use Disorders and Addiction
Fulfills the CADC Additional Alcohol and Drug Education Hours educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Professional Studies: Ethics
Fulfills the CADC Counseling Ethics educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Substance Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders: Systemic Assessment and Diagnosis
Fulfills the CADC Infectious Disease Risk Assessment & Risk Reduction; Clinical Evaluation (ASAM); Co-occurring Disorders; Addiction Treatment Evidence Based Practices educational requirements. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Pharmacology of Substance Use Disorders
Fulfills the CADC Alcohol & Drugs of Abuse Pharmacology educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Families, Substance Abuse, and Addiction
Fulfills the CADC Additional Alcohol and Drug Education Hours educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Group Therapy
Fulfills the CADC Group Counseling Skills educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Contemporary Issues in MFT and Addiction
Fulfills the CADC Additional Alcohol and Drug Education Hours educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
Rural Considerations in Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention
Fulfills the CADC Additional Alcohol and Drug Education Hours educational requirement. (3 Credits; 30 educational hours).
In addition to advanced coursework in substance misuse, abuse, and addiction, students in the MFT Program are required to complete a year-long clinical practicum experience. Students wishing to specialize in addictions work may be placed at local agencies that offer addiction and recovery treatment services.
The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but human connection.
- Johann Hari