Holding space with a vulnerable other is sacred work.
It requires humility, reverence, skill, and great flexibility to reach beyond one’s own beliefs and experiences to honor someone else’s. It truly is a calling.
The profound suffering and isolation associated with substance use disorder clients and their families make transparency feel nearly impossible. To be the safe person that is entrusted, often for the first time ever, is a feeling like no other.
It takes more than our own healing journey, although many of us begin there. We also must acquire the knowledge and skill to set our own stories aside to make room for the client’s story.
Supporting you on a new career path…
I’ve been a Tennessee Qualified Clinical Supervisor since 2011, and I can guide you into a career as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC)
Through group supervision sessions twice per month with other professionals from a variety of agencies, as well as regular individual supervision sessions, you will be guided through a series of discussions, role plays, and direct observation of your clinical interventions toward competency, knowledge and skills necessary to hold our state’s license.
Additionally, I am available to you by phone, email, and teleconferencing in between our scheduled supervision sessions to address questions, concerns, or anything else needed as related to the supervision relationship.
You are provided a comprehensive notebook at the beginning of our supervision that includes all laws and codes that we work under, as well as an area to organize all of the needed information during the course of your practicum experience.
I’m looking forward to it!
The licensure is separated into two levels, based on education and degrees. General information on each is provided below. Please note that this information is provided for reference only and should not be assumed to be authoritative or current.
Full licensure detail can be found in its extended form at tn.gov (see “rules and regulations pertaining to Health Professional Boards”).
After reviewing the information, please schedule a free 1-hour supervision consultation to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the process that I facilitate: (615) 308-9385
I look forward to meeting you and exploring your professional interests!
LADAC, LEVEL I
A Level I Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor may provide A&D counseling services in an A&D treatment program or a recovery support program, or any program providing A&D services other than a private practice in which the Level I Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor is self-employed. Such services shall include the eight (8) domains.
Candidate requirements for LADAC, level I
Prior to submitting an application to become a Level I Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, each of the following minimum qualifications must be met:
- The applicant must have attained twenty-one (21) years of age.
- The applicant must be highly regarded as possessing good moral character and professional ethics, as specified in Rule 1200-30-01-13.
- The applicant must have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma.
- The applicant must have completed a minimum of six thousand (6000) hours of experience in no fewer than 3 years where the applicant has performed all of the eight (8) domains, while providing A&D counseling services under the direct supervision of a Qualified Clinical Supervisor.
- The applicant must have completed two hundred seventy (270) total hours of A&D counseling education and training within the eight domains. Six (6) hours of the 270 total hours of education shall pertain to A&D counseling professional ethics, while providing A&D counseling services under the direct supervision of a Qualified Clinical Supervisor. There is no time limit in which this education must have been obtained.
- The applicant must have completed a written philosophy of treatment, as defined in the licensure application.
- The applicant must pass a jurisprudence examination approved by the Board.
- The applicant must pass the National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Level I written examination that is administered by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP)
LADAC, LEVEL II
A Level II Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor may provide A&D counseling services in an A&D treatment program or a recovery support program, or any program providing A&D services or in private practice. Such services shall include the eight (8) domains. A Level II Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor may also apply to the Board to become a Qualified Clinical Supervisor after meeting the Board’s requirements for such credential.
Candidate requirements for LADAC, level II
Prior to submitting an application to become a Level II Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, each of the following minimum qualifications must be met:
- The applicant must have attained twenty-one (21) years of age.
- The applicant must be highly regarded as possessing good moral character and professional ethics, as specified in Rule 1200-30-01-13
- The applicant must EITHER:
- The applicant must have completed two hundred seventy (270) total hours of A&D counseling education and training within the eight domains. Six (6) hours of the 270 total hours of education shall pertain to A&D counseling professional ethics, while providing A&D counseling services under the direct supervision of a Qualified Clinical Supervisor. There is no time limit in which the two hundred seventy (270) total hours of alcohol and drug abuse counseling education and training within the eight (8) domains must have been obtained.
- The applicant must have completed a written philosophy of treatment, as defined in the licensure application.
- The applicant must pass a jurisprudence examination approved by the Board.
- The applicant must pass the National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Level II written examination that is administered by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP) or the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) written examination.
A. Have a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health related field OR higher level degree in a non-behavioral health related field from an accredited institution of higher learning, and submit an official transcript, have completed a minimum of two (2) years of full time with a minimum of four thousand (4000) hours years whereby the applicant has performed all of the eight (8) domains, while providing alcohol and drug abuse counseling services under the direct supervision of a Qualified Clinical Supervisor. OR
B. Have a master’s or higher level degree in a behavioral health related field from an accredited institution of higher learning, and submit an official transcript, and have completed a minimum of one (1) year of full time experience with a minimum of two thousand (2000) hours years whereby the applicant has performed all of the eight (8) domains, while providing alcohol and drug abuse counseling services under the direct supervision of a Qualified Clinical Supervisor.