Master’s in Addiction Counseling: Your Complete Guide to Advanced Credentials

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Arizona State University – Online

Featured Program: Counseling and Applied Psychological Sciences (Substance Abuse and Addictions), BS

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Featured Program: B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders; B.S. in Counseling: Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse; M.S. in Addiction Counseling

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Southern New Hampshire University

Featured Program: BA Human Services: Substance Abuse; BS Criminal Justice with concentration in Substance Abuse

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Liberty University

Featured Program: BS: Psychology: Addiction and Recovery

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Purdue Global

Featured Program: Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Addictions

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Walden University

Featured Program: Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Addiction Counseling

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It’s easy to explain what a master’s degree in addiction counseling does for you. It’s right in the name: if you want to truly master the art and science of helping people with substance use disorders (SUD), this is your destination.

Today, there are more people with more complex addiction and chemical dependency problems than ever, and the help they need most often comes from SUD counselors licensed at this level. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, at least half of Americans have used illicit drugs at least once in their lives. Almost 60 million of them did so within the last year, and that doesn’t count the 90 million or so experiencing alcohol or nicotine use disorders.

That has led to around 70,000 overdose deaths in the country annually. Those are just the last, worst steps in lives that often leave a trail of wreckage and despair behind them, not to mention other victims.

If there’s ever a challenge that needs more people with mastery of the most effective treatments, diagnostics, and prevention approaches, it’s substance abuse.

How a Master’s Degree Fits With Licensing and Certification Requirements

It’s safe to say that a master’s degree in substance abuse counseling gives you the education to qualify for absolutely any position in addiction treatment in the country.

According to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a master’s degree should qualify therapists for licensure as both clinical SUD counselors and as supervisors and independent practitioners.

Most states accept a qualifying master’s degree for independent licensure, but specific requirements vary.

Even in states where a master’s degree is not a firm requirement for substance abuse counselor licensing, it can often be used to reduce the number of practice hours you are required to have for a particular license level. This makes it a valuable path to both initial certification for career changers and advanced licensure for those already working in a human services field.

In these states, a master’s degree is a requirement for independent substance use disorder counselor and supervisor licensing:

In these states, you’ll need a master’s to engage in any kind of clinical practice. States set their own strict definitions for clinical substance abuse counseling, though it typically includes the ability to perform clinical evaluations and diagnoses, treatment planning, referrals, and service coordination for co-occurring mental health issues.

If you graduate with a master’s degree in substance use disorders, you are coming out with qualifications that can land you in some of the highest-level jobs in the field. You can expect your compensation to reflect that status.

According to 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the top ten percent of substance abuse counseling jobs paid an average salary of more than $89,920.

How Master’s Degrees Prepare You for Leadership Roles

Qualifying for the lead roles in substance abuse and addiction therapy can be surprisingly fast once you have your undergraduate degree out of the way. Master’s programs in addiction studies can typically be completed in one or two years, with around 30 to 48 credits of required coursework.

These advanced graduate studies put addiction counselors on the same level as social workers, therapists, and licensed mental health counselors, all of whom routinely require a master’s for licensing. To gain access to the top level of credentials in substance abuse counseling and to master the toughest parts of a tough job, this kind of education is critical.

There aren’t always specialized schools or departments at each university in substance abuse, the way that there are for psychology, social work, or human services. So you will find these programs put together in different ways from a combination of interdisciplinary departments at various universities.

And you’ll quickly notice that there are no master’s degree programs that fall under the substance use disorder or substance abuse headings. The most common title is simply MS/MA in Addiction Counseling.

But they do come with a range of variations on that title, reflecting the diversity that comes with the interdisciplinary nature of these degrees:

• Master of Science in Addiction Counseling
• Master of Addiction Science
• Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling and Prevention
• Master of Science in Christian Addiction Counseling
• Master of Arts in Addiction Studies
• Master of Professional Studies in Addictions Counseling
• Master of Science in Addiction Psychology
• Master of Addiction Counseling in Psychology

In some cases, these programs build off existing master’s studies in psychology, behavioral health, counseling, or social work programs.

Additionally, you’ll find other kinds of graduate degrees that offer specializations in substance abuse counseling. They include degrees like:

• Master of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Studies
• Master of Health Science in Addictions Studies
• Master of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Addictions
• Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling with Specialization in Addictions
• Master of Social Work and Addictions Counseling in Psychology

This all fits in with the different ways that people come to graduate studies in substance abuse counseling:

• Currently licensed substance abuse counselors looking to gain higher licensing levels that allow for independent practice and supervisory roles
• Recent bachelor’s graduates from a substance abuse or human services major, looking to jump straight into advanced practice
• Professionals already licensed in other counseling or therapy fields who want to expand their abilities with a credential in substance use disorder counseling
• Career changers from entirely different fields are electing to earn a master’s in addiction counseling, with reduced experience hours required for initial certification

The right choice of degree for you will depend on where you fit into those categories, as well as what level and in what state you plan to practice.

Evaluating These Different Master’s Options in Terms of State Licensing Requirements

There’s no hard and fast rule about which of these programs is precisely right for SUD counselor career preparation. Any of them may be a good option to prepare you for SUD counseling in various areas of practice.

Each state has separate licensing tracks, and sometimes completely separate licensing boards, for mental health and other counselors versus substance use disorder counselors. While each might require a master’s degree, they also each have their own unique set of coursework and educational hours in certain subjects that are required. The expectation is that states seek to align the requirements in these different areas, but there are no guarantees.

So, an MA in Mental Health Counseling that meets state standards for LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) credentials should also meet the requirements for Licensed Advanced Substance Use Disorder counseling. But the only way to be 100% certain is to make a quick call to the respective licensing boards in your state to verify exactly how the curriculum requirements align.

Some states allow psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and mental health counselors to perform addiction therapy without additional qualification under their current licenses.

What You Need to Get Into a Master’s Program

Before you can start working toward advanced credentials, you’ll need to meet admission requirements that vary by program and institution. Understanding what programs expect can help you prepare a competitive application.

Educational Prerequisites

Most master’s programs in addiction counseling require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. While many accept students from any major, programs often prefer applicants with backgrounds in:

• Psychology
• Social work
• Human services
• Counseling
• Behavioral health
• Sociology
• Criminal justice

If your bachelor’s is in an unrelated field, some programs may require prerequisite coursework in areas like Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, or Human Development before you can enroll.

GPA and Test Score Requirements

Competitive master’s programs typically expect a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to 3.0, with many preferring 3.0 or higher for serious consideration. Programs with clinical tracks or competitive specializations often set higher thresholds.

Graduate entrance exam requirements vary widely. Some programs require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), while an increasing number have moved to test-optional admissions. When required, competitive GRE scores typically fall in the 50th percentile or higher for verbal and quantitative sections.

Application Materials

Most programs require a complete application package that includes:

• Personal statement or essay explaining your interest in addiction counseling and career goals (typically 500-1,000 words)
• Letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors, or professionals who can speak to your academic ability and potential as a counselor (usually 2-3 letters)
• Resume or CV highlighting relevant education, work experience, and volunteer activities
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Interview (some programs conduct in-person or virtual interviews with competitive applicants)

Experience and Background Checks

While not always required for admission, many programs give preference to applicants with relevant experience in human services, healthcare, or addiction treatment settings. Volunteer work, internships, or paid positions demonstrate commitment to the field.

Programs also typically require background checks before clinical placements begin. While a criminal history doesn’t automatically disqualify you, certain convictions may create barriers to licensure later, so it’s wise to research your state’s licensing restrictions early in the process.

Application Timeline

Most programs admit new students for the fall semester, with application deadlines falling between December and March. Some schools offer spring or rolling admissions. Plan to submit applications at least six months before your intended start date to allow time for:

• Gathering transcripts and recommendation letters
• Preparing your personal statement
• Taking entrance exams if required
• Completing financial aid applications
• Scheduling and attending interviews

A Closer Look at Master’s Curriculum and Specializations

At the master’s level, your coursework will be mostly focused on honing skills you have already developed earlier in your education. These classes go deeper into theory and help build up your practice skills to the most advanced levels.

In general, classes will fall into three buckets:

Clinical Skills Development

You’re likely to have several classes that focus specifically on developing your individual and group counseling skills. They’ll come both through deeper theoretical understanding of the goals and challenges of counseling, like Social and Cultural Diversity in Counseling, Addiction Treatment With Families, or Adolescent Addiction Assessment and Treatment, and in specific types of therapeutic approaches, like Group Counseling, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

You may also have coursework in Assessment and Treatment Planning, Evidence-Based Interventions, and general Counseling Theory.

The Science and Psychology of Substance Use Disorders

Master’s graduates in addiction counseling come out with a more advanced understanding of the physiological bases of addiction and the pharmacology of various drugs and other substances. Courses like the Pharmacological Actions of Alcohol and Other Drugs, Medication Assisted Treatment, and Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders help develop a more in-depth perspective on the mechanisms of addiction.

This level of study also brings in more advanced psychological studies. You’ll probably have courses like Relapse Prevention, Comorbidity in Substance Use Related Problems, and Psychopathology that develop your grasp of what is going on in the minds of your patients.

Handling the Ethical and Practical Issues of Addiction Treatment

Independent practice licenses are what master’s programs lead to in SUD counseling. But the very fact that there is no supervision means that graduates at this level have to meet the ultimate in professional and ethical standards in a field that is notoriously thorny. So coursework in Advanced Legal and Ethical Issues, Professional Orientation and Identity, and Counseling Ethics is certain to be required in your master’s studies.

Many programs also give you extra preparation for dealing with the day-to-day challenges of working in a human resource system that is notoriously hard to navigate. Classes in Planning and Case Management help you better understand the process, and coursework like Foundations of Growth and Development and Addiction Profession Supervision set you up to help oversee other counselors through the process as well.

Featured Programs:

Sponsored School(s)

Arizona State University – Online

Featured Program: Counseling and Applied Psychological Sciences (Substance Abuse and Addictions), BS

Request Info

Grand Canyon University

Featured Program: B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders; B.S. in Counseling: Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse; M.S. in Addiction Counseling

Request Info

Southern New Hampshire University

Featured Program: BA Human Services: Substance Abuse; BS Criminal Justice with concentration in Substance Abuse

Request Info

Liberty University

Featured Program: BS: Psychology: Addiction and Recovery

Request Info

Purdue Global

Featured Program: Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Addictions

Request Info

Walden University

Featured Program: Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Addiction Counseling

Request Info

Exploring Specializations and Elective Options in Master’s in Substance Abuse Counseling Programs

You get a shot at customizing your studies in master’s programs as well, tuning your degree toward specializations that hold your interest.

In some cases, this may come through formal specializations that are offered as part of the degree program. Substance abuse counselor master’s graduates have more options than just going into counseling, and some degrees reflect that by offering tracks that go into areas like:

• General – An overview of addiction science that touches on all the angles, this kind of path doesn’t specialize in any particular aspect of SUD counseling, but lays the groundwork for positions in policy, advocacy, or more general human services administration.
• Research – Research specializations offer more training in data collection, experimental design, and data analysis. These are aimed at students who plan to go into academic roles, developing new techniques for assessment and therapy in substance use disorders.
• Clinical – The clinical path focuses more on managing substance use disorder cases and offering direct treatment to patients. These may also dive into even more specialized clinical applications, such as specializing in co-occurring disorders or in addiction prevention.

Even within standard curricula, you’ll often find elective courses that allow you to explore specific populations or treatment modalities. Popular elective topics include:

• Advanced Rural Telehealth
• Native Americans and Substance Use and Addiction
• Substance Use and Addiction in Diverse Populations
• Advanced Co-Occurring Trauma and Addiction

While much of your coursework is designed to hit the requirements of licensure, you’ll find there is considerable flexibility in most master’s programs to investigate your own particular interests. Research projects, internship placements, and class projects can all be designed around topics that inspire you.

Master’s in Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees Help Build Your Required Experiential Training Hours

Master’s studies usually come with both practicum and internship requirements as well as classroom study. These are placements in active treatment facilities or with outreach organizations that put you in the thick of real-world counseling action.

Under the supervision of both your instructors and active SUD counselors, you’ll have a chance to put theory to the test with real patients.

These experiential hours come in two types:

Some schools offer one or the other of these kinds of experiential placements, while others may require both. Often, you will have multiple placements, which will put you in a variety of different treatment or case management settings. You’re expected to get a well-rounded exposure to various kinds of addiction therapy to help inform both your future career choices and your ability to practice in various settings.

In some cases, there are enough hours in these programs to satisfy license requirements for various states. And, as noted earlier, in some cases, simply having earned the degree itself can reduce the required hours. For example, in Washington state, a master’s degree drops your target from 2,500 to only 1,500 hours, shaving at least six months off your time commitment.

Bringing Together Your Education and Experience With a Culminating Project

A master’s degree in an American university comes with some sort of culminating experience to tie your studies together and offer a final assurance that you have put all the pieces together as an advanced professional counselor.

Traditionally, master’s programs involved researching, writing, and defending a master’s thesis to a committee of professors and experts. Thesis papers run to a hundred pages and require original thinking and analysis of a relevant topic in the field.

But more often today, particularly in programs with a clinical focus, the culminating project is an applied capstone project. These projects still involve research and original thinking, but revolve around more practical expressions of your knowledge. Those can include innovations in outcome monitoring, developing or evaluating evidence-based treatments, or spinning up new programs among certain populations.

You may have the option of choosing either a thesis or a capstone project. In either case, you’re expected to demonstrate an ability to take in the information you’ve studied, combine it with your own ideas and investigations, and create something new and valuable for the field.

Making Sure Your State Accepts Your Master’s in Substance Abuse Coursework Is Critical

One key piece of every master’s degree in addiction counseling program is whether or not the course of instruction has been approved by state licensure or certification agencies. Without that critical approval, all your work could come to nothing.

States may either accredit addiction studies programs directly via their licensing agency, or outsource that approval process to a state association, or the NASAC.

In some states, like California, there may even be multiple organizations that approve degree programs in substance abuse counseling. On the national level, NASAC is the major player here. The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission is affiliated with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, and specifically accredits addiction studies programs. You’ll also run across programs that are accredited by CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, which accredits counseling programs more broadly and is often a requirement for mental health licensure credentials like LMHC or LPC.

Your only safe path to ensuring that your master’s degree education hours will count toward licensure will be to verify that the school and program are approved in your state.

How to Choose the Right Master’s Program for Your Goals

With dozens of master’s programs in addiction counseling available across the country, selecting the right one requires careful consideration of your career goals, learning style, and personal circumstances. Here’s a framework to guide your decision.

Match the Program to Your Career Stage and Goals

Different programs serve different needs:

• For career changers – Look for programs that accept students from any bachelor’s background and offer foundational courses in addiction studies. Programs with robust practicum hours can help you meet state experience requirements faster.
• For current counselors advancing – Seek programs with advanced clinical training, supervision coursework, and options to specialize in areas like co-occurring disorders or clinical assessment.
• For research or policy roles – Choose programs with research methodology courses, thesis options, and faculty actively publishing in addiction studies.
• For independent practice goals – Prioritize programs whose curriculum aligns precisely with your state’s clinical licensure requirements and offers supervised clinical hours.

Verify State Approval and Accreditation

This is non-negotiable. Before applying, confirm that:

• The program is approved by your state’s licensing board or a recognized accreditor like NASAC or CACREP
• The curriculum meets your state’s specific education hour requirements by subject area
• Practicum and internship hours count toward your state’s licensure requirements
• Graduates can sit for their state’s licensing exam or qualify for reciprocity if they plan to relocate

Don’t assume approval. Call your state board directly with the program name and ask if it qualifies.

Consider Program Format and Flexibility

Your life circumstances will heavily influence which program works for you:

• Full-time on-campus programs (12-18 months) – Best for recent bachelor’s graduates who can dedicate full-time to study. Offers maximum face-to-face learning and networking.
• Part-time evening/weekend programs (2-3 years) – Designed for working professionals who can’t leave their jobs. Classes meet evenings or weekends on campus.
• Online or hybrid programs (18-24 months) – Maximize flexibility with asynchronous coursework and limited campus visits. See more in the online programs section below.
• Accelerated programs (12 months intensive) – Fast-track options requiring full-time commitment, often with summer courses.

Evaluate Faculty Expertise and Program Resources

Strong programs have faculty who are both accomplished academics and experienced practitioners:

• Do faculty hold advanced certifications in addiction counseling, not just general counseling degrees?
• Are faculty publishing current research in addiction journals?
• Do instructors maintain active clinical practices or consulting roles?
• What’s the student-to-faculty ratio in practicum supervision?

Also ask about program resources like counseling labs, access to treatment facility partnerships, career services, and professional development support.

Investigate Specialization Options

If you know you want to work with specific populations or in particular settings, look for programs offering relevant specializations or elective courses in:

• Adolescent addiction treatment
• Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Trauma-informed care
• Criminal justice settings
• Rural or telehealth delivery

Compare Costs and Financial Aid

Master’s programs vary widely in cost, but a higher price doesn’t always mean better outcomes. When comparing programs, consider:

• Total program cost (tuition, fees, books)
• Availability of graduate assistantships that waive tuition
• Scholarship opportunities specific to addiction counseling
• Eligibility for federal student loans and work-study
• Whether you can maintain full-time work while enrolled

Many students in addiction counseling programs qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if they work in nonprofit or government settings after graduation.

What the Student Experience Is Like

Beyond the basic status of accreditation, there are a lot of different things to set schools apart in this field. A master’s degree in substance abuse counseling is a significant investment. You can be sure that a program approved by your state board will provide a return on that investment in the form of state credentials.

You’ll have your own unique experience, but you can set your expectations high that a state-approved or NASAC-accredited program will knock it out of the park in terms of these criteria:

• Faculty – Who you are learning from can be every bit as important to your education as what you are learning about. Committed instructors who take you under their wing and make it their mission to help you be the best are worth their weight in gold. You’ll be learning from professors who have both real-world experience in the field as well as strong academic and research bona fides. Publications in scholarly journals and active developments in treatment research are standard among professors at this level.
• Academic and career support – A graduate degree can help you get to the highest-level positions in the field of addiction counseling. But you won’t get there on your own. These schools offer strong academic counseling, networking opportunities, and other kinds of career support to help you get where you are going faster and more easily.
• Community relationships – Particularly at the master’s level, you’ll spend a lot of time racking up practice and supervision hours outside of school. Your options for where to fulfill those will depend a lot on the kind of relationships that your program has with local social and healthcare providers involved in SUD counseling. You can be confident that the school you pick has ties to the kind of agencies you want to work for, allowing you to do the sort of work you want to do.
• Specializations – Of course, you can’t learn a particular angle on substance abuse counseling if your school doesn’t offer it. Finding a program that has the right specializations to fulfill your career goals is wise. You’ll find that they aren’t shy about promoting those options, so you’ll typically find them presented front and center on university websites and marketing material.
• Strong departments in other human services fields – Addiction counseling is an interdisciplinary effort. Your education will count on not just substance use disorder professionals, but on experts in psychology, social work, and criminal justice. You will want to make sure that the school you pick has departments that are just as strong in those subjects as the SUD program itself is.

What Is the Typical Cost of Earning a Master’s in Addiction Counseling?

While a graduate education opens up more opportunities at higher levels of licensure, it also requires a significant financial commitment. Understanding the full cost picture helps you make informed decisions about which program to attend and how to fund your education.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition for 2024 was $12,893 per year at public universities at in-state rates.

When you include private schools in the mix, average graduate tuition rises to approximately $28,500 per year. Of course, you’re only paying these rates for one to two years at the master’s level, versus four years for a bachelor’s. Total program costs typically range from $25,000 to $60,000, depending on:

• Public vs. private institution
• In-state vs. out-of-state tuition (for public schools)
• Program length (12 months vs. 24 months)
• Online vs. on-campus format
• Additional fees, books, and technology requirements

Financial Aid and Funding Options

Don’t let sticker prices scare you away from quality programs. Master’s students in addiction counseling have several funding sources available:

• Federal student loans – Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans through FAFSA
• Graduate assistantships – Many programs offer positions that provide tuition waivers plus a stipend in exchange for 10-20 hours of work per week assisting faculty with research, teaching, or program administration
• Scholarships and grants – Professional organizations like NAADAC, state addiction counselor associations, and individual universities offer scholarships specifically for addiction counseling students
• Employer tuition assistance – If you’re already working in a human services field, ask your employer about tuition reimbursement programs
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – After graduation, if you work full-time for a nonprofit or government agency and make 120 qualifying payments, remaining federal loan balances may be forgiven
• Veterans benefits – GI Bill benefits often cover master’s programs for eligible veterans and service members

Return on Investment

With the additional opportunities and higher-level jobs that master’s programs can unlock, they are often well worth the cost in the long run. Consider that substance abuse counselors with master’s degrees and advanced licensure typically earn $15,000 to $25,000 more annually than those with only bachelor’s credentials. Over a 30-year career, that difference can amount to $450,000 to $750,000 in additional lifetime earnings, to say nothing of how they build your skills in helping people experiencing addiction.

A Master’s in Addiction Counseling Online to Fit Your Work and Family Life

Another feature that many grad students look for when it comes time to pick up a master’s is whether it accommodates work and family life by offering online courses.

Like every other field, online master’s degrees in substance abuse counseling got a shot in the arm during the depths of COVID. Yet the advantages that remote studies bring to the table, particularly for the kind of students that go into SUD counseling, have kept online options at the top of the ticket.

Many of those students are already involved in work in substance abuse or other human services fields. They are older on average, and may have families or other personal commitments that come before college. And they can be very price sensitive, going into a field that isn’t known for six-figure salaries.

Sound familiar to you?

Online studies can address all those considerations. By allowing you to advance your knowledge and your career by learning at home, online programs reduce costs associated with commuting or relocating. With asynchronous classes, you can engage at any time, day or night; they leave room in your schedule for picking up kids at soccer or attending late meetings at work.

Of course, internships and practicum placements have to be arranged locally. Most online programs require students to complete supervised clinical hours at approved sites in their home communities. The school’s program coordinator typically helps connect you with appropriate placements, though you may need to do some legwork to find sites that meet your state’s requirements.

But with much of the classroom work shifted to remote options, you may find it easier and less taxing to go with an online master’s in addiction counseling. Just make sure the online program you choose is approved by your state board and provides the same quality of education and clinical preparation as campus-based options.

Earning a master’s degree in this field shows that you are one of the people who are serious about doing something about the addiction crisis plaguing communities across the country. That’s a stance that has value you can’t measure simply by the salary you receive. But in terms of helping people who need that expertise, it’s pure gold.

Featured Programs:

Sponsored School(s)

Arizona State University – Online

Featured Program: Counseling and Applied Psychological Sciences (Substance Abuse and Addictions), BS

Request Info

Grand Canyon University

Featured Program: B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Substance Use Disorders; B.S. in Counseling: Addiction, Chemical Dependency and Substance Abuse; M.S. in Addiction Counseling

Request Info

Southern New Hampshire University

Featured Program: BA Human Services: Substance Abuse; BS Criminal Justice with concentration in Substance Abuse

Request Info

Liberty University

Featured Program: BS: Psychology: Addiction and Recovery

Request Info

Purdue Global

Featured Program: Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Addictions

Request Info

Walden University

Featured Program: Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Addiction Counseling

Request Info

2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2025.

Dr. Emily R. Thornton, PhD, LCADC

Dr. Emily R. Thornton is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor with over 15 years of experience. Holding a PhD in Clinical Psychology, she specializes in adolescent addiction and trauma-informed care, contributing to research and education in the field.

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