Program Overview

Addictions and Mental Health (graduate certificate)

Overview

The Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate program will help students develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively address two of Canada’s leading health care issues: mental health and addictive behaviours. Students will gain both a theoretical understanding and the clinical skills required to help clients successfully navigate their challenges as they begin their journey to wellness.

Program Details

• Credential: Ontario College Graduate Certificate
• Location: Oshawa
• OCAS Code: ADMH
• Next Intake: September 2025
• Faculty: Faculty of Social and Community Services (SCS)
• Length: Three consecutive semesters
• Laptop: Learn more about laptop requirements
• Delivery: In person

Admission Requirements

• Degree: Degree in psychology or social work or related discipline or college diploma in health or social service work or Practical Nursing; overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or 65 per cent average
• Post-secondary psychology courses: Minimum of three credits
• English language proficiency: Required

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $5,026 (CAD)
• Year one international: $17,613 (CAD)

Courses

Semester 1

• Group Counselling Practices (ADDC 1507)
• Introduction to Counselling Practices (ADDC 1508)
• Theories, Models and Approaches to Mental Health, Addiction & Psychotherapy (ADDC 1509)
• Psychopharmacology (ADDC 1510)
• Addictions I: Bio-Psycho-Social Theories Of Addiction Treatment (ADDC 1511)
• Ethics (ETHC 1505)
• Field Placement Preparation 1 (FWK 1505)
• Working With Youth and Families (YOTH 1501)

Semester 2

• Case Management & Professional Practice (ADDC 1505)
• Addiction II: Contemporary Addiction Treatment Strategies (ADDC 2501)
• Trauma-Informed Practices (ADDC 2507)
• Cognitive-Behavioural Based Psychoeducation (BHAV 2501)
• Person-In-Context/Diversity (DIVS 2501)
• Field Placement Preparation 2 (FWK 2505)
• Recovery Oriented Practice: Working With Chronic, Severe Mental Health (RECV 2502)

Semester 3

• Placement: Application Of Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Strategies In Professional Settings (FWK 3502)

Career Options

• Addictions crisis worker
• Addictions counsellor
• Addictions and mental health rehab support worker
• Case manager
• Community support worker
• Counsellor/group facilitator
• Crisis outreach/intervention worker
• Harm reduction worker
• Housing stability counsellor
• Mental health/wellness counsellor
• Mental health support worker
• Outreach services advisor
• Psycho-educator
• Withdrawal management counsellor

Experiential Learning

• A semester-long, 490-hour clinical field placement, supervised by a qualified professional practitioner and monitored by a college advisor from the Addictions and Mental Health program.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

• Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Tech Requirements

• Processor: i3
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
• Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
• Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
• Internet connection: Required

Meet Your Faculty Experts

• Dan Blomme
  • Faculty Member, Faculty of Social and Community Services (SCS)
  • Registered Psychotherapist [RP]
• Carl Legault
  • Faculty Member, Faculty of Social and Community Services (SCS)
  • Registered Psychotherapist in private practice
  • Program Coordinator for the ADMH program

Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.