Counseling Psychology and Substance Use: Implications for Training, Practice, and Research

摘要

Substance use is a pervasive public health problem for which millions of Americans will access treatment. Training, practice, and research in substance use traditionally have not been a focus for counseling psychologists. Thus, many in our field do not feel adequately trained to work with clients who have substance use disorders. Counseling psychologists need to remain viable in a rapidly changing health care environment where treatment for substance use and mental health disorders have parity with other medical treatments. The goal of this article is a call to the profession to increase our presence in the field of substance use alongside other health care providers. We discuss how this objective can be accomplished through training, practice, and research that will not only enhance our competence, but further solidify our value in the health care marketplace.