Course Curriculum

The Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate program spans two semesters and is delivered in-person at the Lakeshore campus, offering a comprehensive and practice-focused curriculum that prepares students to support individuals living with addiction and mental health challenges. In Semester 1, students begin with ADMH 5001: Mental Health and Addiction Foundations, which introduces core concepts and systems in the field. ADMH 5002: Counselling Foundations explores the basics of therapeutic communication and engagement. ADMH 5003: Substance Use and Harm Reduction examines various substances and practical harm reduction strategies. ADMH 5004: Community Services and Supports in Addictions and Mental Health provides an overview of service delivery models and support systems. ADMH 5006: Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Practice emphasizes culturally safe and inclusive approaches. ADMH 5011: Behavioural Addictions addresses non-substance-related addictions such as gambling and internet use. ADMH 5020: Professional Practice prepares students for their 280-hour field placement with practical tools and workplace readiness. In Semester 2, ADMH 5007: Ethical Practice and Professionalism reinforces ethical decision-making in diverse clinical settings. ADMH 5008: Group Counselling focuses on facilitating therapeutic groups. ADMH 5009: Advanced Counselling Frameworks deepens students’ understanding of specialized counselling techniques. ADMH 5012: Trauma-Informed Practice ensures students can respond effectively to trauma-related issues. ADMH 5013: Community Capacity Building trains students to work collaboratively to strengthen community-based services. Finally, ADMH 5017: Mental Health and Addictions Across the Lifespan explores how issues evolve from childhood to older adulthood. This structured curriculum, combined with field experience, equips graduates for meaningful roles in mental health and addiction services.