Addictions and Mental Health
Description
This online Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is primarily designed to enhance and further develop the skills of individuals who already work in health care or the social services field and who are interested in specializing in addictions and mental health. There is a growing need for coordinated services by professionals with the knowledge and skills to treat concurrent disorders. Students take an interdisciplinary approach to the study of mental health, mental illness, substance use including focus on holistic assessment and intervention strategies, recovery process, and promotion of ongoing mental health. Students acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities required by mental health professionals to deliver responsive and effective substance use disorder treatment and mental health services, while promoting empowerment, self-determination, and optimum quality of life to individuals. Students gain practical experience through the supervised field placement where they can apply knowledge of best practices and further enhance their skillsets. During placement, students are paired with a Field Placement Liaison for support and guidance.
Upon completion of the program, students possess the knowledge and skills to work with vulnerable populations in a variety of community mental health and addictions services settings, dependent on their prior experience and credentials, and skills built in the program. These settings may include social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, residential treatment centres, group homes, homeless shelters, school boards, services for specific vulnerable populations, family counselling programs, crisis response services, community outreach programs, community justice programs, medical detox programs, long-term care facilities, hospices, and other establishments.
The Addictions and Mental Health Graduate Certificate (AMH) is recognized by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Federation (CACCF), Canada`s Addiction Workforce Regulator. The CACCF affirms this program enables graduates to meet their certification requirements.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Are interested in improving the quality of life for those with mental health and/or substance use challenges.
- Want to contribute as team members in a wide range of dynamic environments.
- Are non-judgmental, flexible, mature and compassionate.
- Like to support, empower, and encourage others.
- Have patience and can handle stress and remain calm in difficult situations.
- Are comfortable with self-reflective practice.
- Possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Have an ability to practice self-care.
- Can communicate clearly and set professional boundaries.
- Are comfortable advocating for both self and others.
Program Eligibility
Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma or Degree or equivalent in the human, health, or social sciences fields.
Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 90, with the minimum in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 24; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma or Degree or equivalent in the human, health, or social sciences fields.
Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 90, with the minimum in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 24; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
COURSES:
Series: 01
SSC1010 Mental Health and Addiction Foundations
SSC1020 Introduction to Counselling
SSC1030 Chemical Dependency and Substance Use and Abuse
SSC1040 Community Services and Supports in Addictions and Mental Health
SSC1050 Holistic Assessment and Interventions: Determinants of Health
SSC1060 Counselling Gender and Diversity
SSC1070 Ethical Practice and Professionalism in Mental Health and Addictions
SSC1010 Mental Health and Addiction Foundations
SSC1020 Introduction to Counselling
SSC1030 Chemical Dependency and Substance Use and Abuse
SSC1040 Community Services and Supports in Addictions and Mental Health
SSC1050 Holistic Assessment and Interventions: Determinants of Health
SSC1060 Counselling Gender and Diversity
SSC1070 Ethical Practice and Professionalism in Mental Health and Addictions
Series: 02
SSC2010 Group Counselling for Addictions and Mental Health Practitioners
SSC2020 Motivational Interviewing and Change Theory Practice
SSC2030 Working with Youth and Families
SSC2040 Impulse Control Disorders and Behavioural Addiction
SSC2050 An Introduction to Trauma-Informed Practice
SSC2060 Community Capacity Building
SSC2070 Field Placement Preparation Course
SSC2010 Group Counselling for Addictions and Mental Health Practitioners
SSC2020 Motivational Interviewing and Change Theory Practice
SSC2030 Working with Youth and Families
SSC2040 Impulse Control Disorders and Behavioural Addiction
SSC2050 An Introduction to Trauma-Informed Practice
SSC2060 Community Capacity Building
SSC2070 Field Placement Preparation Course
Series: 03
FLD0020 300.0 Field Placement and Special Topics Seminar
FLD0020 300.0 Field Placement and Special Topics Seminar
Note: Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Related Courses
- Chemical Dependency and Substance Use and Abuse
- Community Capacity Building
- Community Services and Supports in Addictions and Mental Health
- Counselling Gender and Diversity
- Ethical Practice and Professionalism in Mental Health and Addictions
- Field Placement and Special Topics Seminar
- Field Placement Preparation Course
- Group Counselling for Addictions and Mental Health Practitioners
- Holistic Assessment and Interventions: Determinants of Health
- Impulse Control Disorders and Behavioural Addictions
- Introduction to Counselling
- Introduction to Trauma-Informed Practice
- Mental Health and Addiction Foundations
- Motivational Interviewing and Change Theory Practice
- Working with Youth and Families
Overview

- Institution: Algonquin College
- Program type: Graduate Certificate
- Language: English
- Program Code: 1829X07PAO
- Delivery Method: Fully Online/Distance
Disclaimer:
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.