The Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies offers the required 570 hour curriculum necessary for obtaining licensure as an LCDC or certification as a CCJP in the State of Texas.

For the past sixteen years ICDS has strived to set the standard of excellence in LCDC training and development in the field of addiction counseling.

ICDC LCDC Training can count as credit towards your college education. Click here for more information.

Your Path to Becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor
Step 1	Complete the first six phases of LCDC training	270 classroom hours	6 months
Step 2	Complete the practicum. A practicum consists of volunteering in an addiction counseling environment and attending eight evening classes with assignments	300 hours	2-5 months
Step 3	Begin a paid internship	4,000 hours	2 years
Step 4	Earn an Associate's Degree in the behavioral sciences. Our LCDC training program offers college credit in several ways. See our college credit page.	32-64 college credit hours*	varies
Step 5	Attend a preparation course for the written and oral portions of the LCDC licensure exam, which is free for graduates of ICDS when the prep course is offered by ICDS		two day course
Step 6	Complete the LCDC licensure exam		two blocks over two days

*Hours will vary depending on which courses can be transferred and how many hours have already been completed

Austin

8071 N. Lamar Blvd. Santa Maria Community Center 78753

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Dallas/Fort Worth

7525 John T. White Rd. 76120 

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Houston

Phoenix House - 501 Garden Oaks Blvd. 77018

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San Antonio

12042 Blanco Rd, Ste 101 78216

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Austin LCDC Training Schedule

Orientation - December 3 6:00pm
Class begins December 8 and will last 12 weeks
MWF - 5:30pm-9:30pm
Sa - 9:00am-5:00pm
Practicum - begins immediately following the core curriculum and last approximately 2-3 months

Dallas LCDC Training Schedule

Full Time Day Class

Begins January 13 T-F 9:30am-3:30pm

Part Time Night Class

n/a

Houston LCDC Training Schedule

Full Time Day Class

In progress

Part Time Night Class

In Progress

San Antonio LCDC Training Schedule

In progress

Phase 1 - Phase I: The Basics of Addiction Counseling and the Physiology of Addiction

Texts: Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior, Loosening The Grip, ICDS Training Manual Phase I

Phase 1 covers:

1. The various aspects of chemical addiction [both drugs and alcohol], including the process of addiction, and signs and symptoms of addictive behavior;
2. Pharmacological and physical effects of substances of abuse;
3. Multiple addictions;
4. The approach of the 12-Step program of recovery.

Phase 2 - Twelve Core Functions of a Counselor

Texts: ICDS Training Manual Phase II

Phase 2 Covers:

1. The 12 core functions of a counselor;
2. The DSM-IV classifications of substance abuse disorders, limits and parameters in identifying substance abuse disorders vs. other disorders;
3. Dual and multiple diagnoses.

Phase III: Basic Counseling Skills and Methods

Texts: Becoming Naturally Therapeutic, Loosening The Grip, ICDS Training Manual Phase III

Students will learn:

1. the basic techniques of substance abuse counseling: active listening, attentiveness, reflection, paraphrasing, and summarization
2. The basics of group process, group dynamics, dealing with denial and resistance, defense mechanisms, psychodrama, and other specific group-related approaches.

Phase IV: Chemical Dependency and the Family

Texts: Loosening The Grip, Intervention - Vernon Johnson, ICDS Training Manual Phase IV

Students will learn:

1. The role and dynamics of the family in chemical dependency counseling;
2. Co-dependency, enabling and collusion; adult children of alcoholics; family-of-origin issues; prevention and treatment in adolescents; sex addiction; domestic violence; couples and multi-family counseling; guilt and shame in the recovery process.

Phase V: Ethics and Special Treatment Issues

Texts: Ethics for Addictions Professionals, Ethical Guidelines for Counselors, Criminal Justice Professional Training Manuals, Loosening The Grip

Students will learn:

1. The ethical guidelines that oversee the substance abuse counseling field;
2. The Criminal Justice Systems and Processes; the Dynamics of Addiction and Criminal Behavior; Dynamics of Dual Relationships; Peer Confrontation;
3. Special issues that pertain to chemical dependency counseling such as: HIV-AIDS awareness; gambling; sex addiction; multi-cultural awareness and sensitivity; counseling special populations; women's issues.

Phase VI: Advanced Counseling Skills and Methods

Texts: Loosening the Grip, ICDS Training Manual PhaseVI, SAMHSA TAP 21

Phase VI Cover:

1. The five major theories of personality development, and the method of therapy created by each. They include: psychoanalytic, behavioral humanistic, cognitive, and transpersonal approaches;
2. At least three methods from each of these major schools;
3. The 11 phases of relapse -- particularly Gorski's process and intervention;
4. Counselor burn-out v. counselor resilience;
5. Issues related to counseling and the criminal justice system: therapeutic treatment communities, TAIP program, "safe p" programs and the continuum of care for the criminal justice offender;
6. A systematic review for the LCDC licensure exam.

Practicum: Advanced Clinical Training

300 hour onsite and curriculum based supervised instruction. Texts include The TAP 21 and numerous additional trainings including COPSD, Gambling, and Criminal Justice.

ICDS Contact Information

Austin

(512) 246-6007
Fax - 512-246-8692

Dallas

Teresa Sawyer - Dallas/Fort Worth LCDC Training Director
(817) 226-0700
Teresa@cdstudies.com

Houston

Carol Cloud - Houston LCDC Training Director
(281) 492-1881
Carol.Cloud@cdstudies.com

San Antonio

Steve Murphy - San Antonio LCDC Training Director
(210) 541-8400
Steve@cdstudies.com
Fax - 210-541-841

Request for Contact

Click here to request an email or phone call from an ICDS staff member.

There are many areas of employment open to you as an LCDC and a Counselor Intern. They include working in/with: Residential Treatment; Outpatient Treatment; Outreach, Screening and Referral community programs; TDCJ; Dual Diagnosis Programs; Adolescent Programs; Women with children; Domestic Violence Victims or Offenders; Criminal Justice Programs; Veteran’s Programs; Employee Assistance Programs; Prevention Programs; andCourt Diversion Programs.

Right now is a great time to become an LCDC or CCJP. There is currently a shortage of Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors in Texas which has led to a surplus of job opportunities

Choose the School You Would Like to Attend

Austin

Houston

Dallas/Fort Worth

San Antonio