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Job outlook for chemical dependency therapists in the United States
Are chemical dependency therapist jobs in demand?
Chemical dependency therapist job and salary trends over time
Chemical dependency therapist jobs over time
Chemical dependency therapist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 235 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 233 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 233 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 221 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 207 | 0.00% |
Average chemical dependency therapist salary over time
Chemical dependency therapist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $56,575 | $27.20 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | $54,860 | $26.38 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $53,550 | $25.75 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $52,240 | $25.12 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $51,239 | $24.63 | +2.7% |
Chemical dependency therapist jobs by state
Most common states for chemical dependency therapists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,339 | 20% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 153 | 20% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 184 | 19% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 323 | 17% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 499 | 16% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 168 | 16% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 839 | 15% |
| 8 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 102 | 15% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,498 | 14% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,033 | 14% |
| 11 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 953 | 14% |
| 12 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 421 | 14% |
| 13 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 193 | 14% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,081 | 13% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 794 | 13% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 776 | 13% |
| 17 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 642 | 13% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,534 | 12% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 716 | 12% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 193 | 11% |
Most common cities for chemical dependency therapists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Rapids | 1 | 1% | $43,713 |
Chemical Dependency Therapist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of chemical dependency therapist experts
University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Texas Permian Basin
University of Nevada - Reno
University of Illinois-Springfield
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Campbellsville University
California State University Northridge
Springfield College
Malone University
Nicholls State University
California State University San Marcos
Freed-Hardeman University
University of Alaska Anchorage
The Pennsylvania State University
Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School
Tuskegee University
North Carolina State University
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Office of Public and Governmental Affairs Public Affairs Division
Gallaudet University
Utah State University
Yvonne Chase
University of Alaska Anchorage
Human Services
What will help Chemical Dependency Therapists increase their earning potential?
Yvonne Chase: Case management skills, along with writing and communication skills, are in demand, especially cross-cultural communication.
Sam Terrazas Ph.D.
Professor and Academic Chair Department of Social WorkThe University of Texas Permian Basin
Department of Social Work
What soft skills should all Chemical Dependency Therapists possess?
Sam Terrazas Ph.D.: Social workers need to be skillful in documentation in writing case notes, assessments, and good managers of their time. Managing a client's case requires social workers to be diligent and ensure that all required documentation is completed on time and within professional standards. Social workers must also be effective communicators understanding their own power and the multiple professional roles they hold.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Sam Terrazas Ph.D.: Social workers practice in various areas of practice and organizational auspices that may differ in the hard/technical skills that are most important. In general, the hard/technical skills most important can be categorized based on the level of education-BSW (Bachelors of Social Work) versus MSW (Masters of Social Work).
BSW's practice in a range of organizations providing various types of services; however, in general practice in the realm of case management that requires that ability to demonstrate cultural responsiveness, develop an alliance with clients, apply NASW and a state's ethics and professional standards of practice, conduct assessments, and to develop plans to meet a client's goals.
MSW's practice in many areas such as administration, clinical, public policy and advocacy, child welfare, public safety, and health care. Each of these practice areas requires specific technical skills; however, in general, MSW's are trained to assess individuals, families, groups, and communities. To that end, MSW's must understand the cultural context and how socio/economic local, state, federal policies impact social welfare problems such as poverty, intimate partner violence, and mental illness. MSW's must possess strong engagement skills/therapeutic alliance-building, diagnostic/evaluation skills, ethical application of interventions and therapeutic approaches, and advocacy skills.
Lillian Wichinsky Ph.D.
Associate DeanUniversity of Nevada - Reno
School of Social Work
What soft skills should all Chemical Dependency Therapists possess?
Lillian Wichinsky Ph.D.: Social workers need to be prepared to work in integrated health and multidisciplinary settings and act as change agents across systems of care. They work with various communities and people, and therefore soft skills are very important to their success. Some of the most important soft skills include:
-Teamwork. ...
-Communication Skills
-Problem-Solving Skills
-Ethics
-Flexibility/Adaptability
-Leadership skills
What soft skills should all Chemical Dependency Therapists possess?
Youngjin Kang Ph.D.: I believe that interpersonal skills (e.g., communication) are the most important skills. Human services professionals work with people from diverse backgrounds. They play an important role in the lives of those in need, between parties (e.g., court systems and agency), and make positive changes in a broader context as an advocate. To be able to do so, communication skills are essential. These skills include but are not limited to active listening, responding with influence, showing empathy and respect, knowing how to say no when there are boundaries, expressing the needs of the client in a professional manner, sending and responding to emails in a professional manner, using various communication methods properly, and using both verbal and nonverbal languages appropriately.
What skills will help Chemical Dependency Therapists earn the most?
Youngjin Kang Ph.D.: Self-care skills. It is imperative for human services professionals to practice self-care regularly. Human services jobs are emotionally and physically draining and challenging, although they are rewarding. If you do not know how to take care of yourself and your needs, how can you take care of others? If you do not practice self-care regularly, you are likely to experience burnout - no resilience to go back to your highest ability to help others. Many helping professionals put their client's needs first and neglect their needs, but in the long run, this is not a smart thing to do.
Dr. Nathan Tenhundfeld Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Human FactorsUniversity of Alabama in Huntsville
Psychology Department
What skills stand out on Chemical Dependency Therapist resumes?
Dr. Nathan Tenhundfeld Ph.D.: Strong analytical skills are a must. This includes both logic and reasoning skills, but also data analysis skills. For many jobs, the ability to collect and scientifically evaluate data will be vital, if not an absolute necessity. Similarly, a strong understanding of experimental methods can put a candidate in a great position to be able to help a company evaluate existing programs and chart a path forward for new ones. Finally, I would say that a strong ability to write is critical. Those graduates who are able to effectively and persuasively communicate in writing are setting themselves up for success at any company and allowing the company to leverage them for increasingly important tasks.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Dr. Nathan Tenhundfeld Ph.D.: Technical skills like the ability to perform statistical analyses are critically important for most Psychology-related jobs. This allows a candidate to collect and analyze data but also to interpret and understand other existing data. A strong statistical background can also help set a candidate apart from their peers in the application process. This includes understanding when and how to use various parametric and nonparametric statistics to be able to answer questions regardless of the data one is working with.
Dr. Dianna Cooper
Associate ProfessorCampbellsville University
Carver School of Social Work
What soft skills should all Chemical Dependency Therapists possess?
Dr. Dianna Cooper: The "change theory" used in social work practice follows several steps, including engaging, assessing, planning, intervening, evaluating, terminating, and following up. Soft skills are most likely to occur in engagement, intervention, and termination. Social workers are trained to "start wherever the client is," understanding that clients can be individuals, families, groups, communities, or organizations. Social workers are trained to respect the client as the expert in their needs, honor self-determination, use a strengths-based approach, and respect difference while using inclusion. The training turns into soft skills such as being empathetic, warm, genuine, and respectful. Social workers also develop skills in knowing when to listen and when to nudge the client toward action. Social workers are trained to intervene and, when change is completed, to terminate. Helping clients know when to end services also requires soft skills of talking about hard topics, seeing a brighter future and setting goals, recognizing when change is happening, and saying goodbye respectfully.
What skills will help Chemical Dependency Therapists earn the most?
Dr. Dianna Cooper: Individuals who complete a master's degree in social work (MSW) are likely to earn higher pay than individuals with a bachelor's degree (BSW). MSWs are also desirable in many settings, including hospitals and medical settings, schools, mental health counseling centers, police departments, probation offices, in-home therapeutic service agencies, and private practice. Most states now require social workers to be licensed. MSWs who want to bill insurances for direct service to clients must be licensed at the clinic level where they practice to credential with insurance companies.
Alejandra Acuna Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCalifornia State University Northridge
Department of Social Work
What experience really stands out on Chemical Dependency Therapist resumes?
Alejandra Acuna Ph.D.: Experience is valued in social work. Taking advantage of opportunities like internships and volunteer work is smart. Training and certification in an evidence-based program/practice (EBP), curricula, or intervention is a plus, although if there is a particular EBP used by a hiring agency, the agency usually pays for the time and cost of the training once a social worker is hired. Any additional skills relevant to the specific job- software skills, electronic recordkeeping, language proficiency - are worthy of highlighting in a resume. Grant writing skills also add value to resumes.
The reason most industries advertise with the statement, "will train the right person" is that we know (based on research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center) that interpersonal and intrapersonal communication skills (so-called "soft skills") make up 85% of job success and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge. Interpersonal skills can probably be highlighted best in the cover letter and in the interview. Show up and let them see who you are - your warm, authentic, and empathic essence.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Alejandra Acuna Ph.D.: The coronavirus epidemic completely changed the work environment for social workers. While some were considered essential workers and continued in-person services, most had to shift to virtual services and become proficient in various online platforms as well as understand and work within the legal and ethical parameters surrounding telehealth (that is, the provision of health/mental health services remotely employing telecommunications technology). Further, building trusting relationships and creating caring communities is what social workers do and are the foundation of providing quality services, so finding creative ways to remotely connect to clients - individuals, families, groups, and communities - has been paramount.
Social workers are trained to create trauma- and resilience-informed systems (e.g., an organizational culture, structure, and treatment framework built on understanding, recognizing, and responding to all kinds of trauma) and practices (e.g., safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment). Now more than ever, these skills are valuable since everyone has been impacted by the double pandemic of racial discrimination amid coronavirus disease. The opportunity in this crisis is that we are moving away from pre-contemplation ("not thinking about it") and contemplation ("thinking about it") to preparation ("planning to make change") and action ("taking steps to make change"). These are exciting steps forward based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change (stages of change). While managing these stages, we can anticipate the stages that come later, which are maintenance ("maintaining the change") and relapse ("falling back into former patterns of behavior").
It is evident that front-line workers, like social workers, are intensely impacted by consistently responding to clients and patients who are affected by trauma. Building resilience is critical at the individual, family, community, institutional, and professional levels. We all need it now. Social work is sustainable in that our efforts to care for others are balanced with caring for ourselves, where no one is neglected or left behind.
How do you envision technology impacting Chemical Dependency Therapists in the next 5 years?
Elizabeth Morgan Ph.D.: The forced use of technology to connect with others during the pandemic will likely encourage lasting change in education, counseling and human services, business and marketing endeavors, research, and other areas where graduates in psychology end up. This will create shifts in what the jobs look like, what training is needed, and even perhaps, the mental health and well-being of workers in general. As these technological changes are introduced, new graduates will need to learn and embrace them to keep up with the trends, as well as evaluate their effectiveness.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Malia Miller: There is potential for an increase in openings given the challenges regarding mental health that have developed due to the pandemic. If the bill passes at the federal level, it is my understanding that there are funds designated to be used by school districts to make sure all schools are open for in-person learning. These additional funds may be used to subsidize the hiring of more school counselors to address these issues if states choose to do so. Right now, the challenge we are facing as a university that trains school counselors is the fact that interns are struggling to acquire internship supervisors since the work of all school personnel has been difficult for the past year. Understandably, school counselors do not wish to assume more responsibility as working with students remotely, on hybrid schedules, etc. is time-consuming. I don't think there will be an "enduring" impact on our profession as a result of the pandemic, but we have learned how to connect with students more efficiently in a virtual mode.
What's a good job out of college for Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Malia Miller: A good school counseling job out of college is being hired in the setting the new counselor seeks. The role of the school counselor in elementary, middle, or high school settings can vary greatly in terms of job expectations, so finding a "good" job would be landing the job in the level of your choice. Some school counselors seek work in higher education as admission counselors, but most are training to work in a K-12 school. I would add that it is often ideal for new counselors to be hired into a building where they are not the only counselor. Learning from colleagues through working with a counseling team is less stressful and easier than being the only counselor in a school.
What will help Chemical Dependency Therapists increase their earning potential?
Malia Miller: Within the school setting, earning potential can be increased with years of experience and continuing education. Most counselors are paid a salary based on the teacher salary schedule that has been negotiated between the union and the school board of the district. In a larger district, there would be potential for better pay if there are district-level positions that involve management of the school counseling staff.
Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson
Assistant Professor & Coordinator of School Counseling ProgramNicholls State University
Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Studies
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson: To begin with, there will be a lasting impact of the coronavirus on recent graduates. For instance, we are seeing the rising number of positive cases. As of February 11, 2021, there were approximately 361, 038 Louisiana coronavirus cases (Swenson, Just, Whitfield, 2021). In addition, 20.6% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2019 (51.5 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults (NAMI, ). To further complicate matters, the coronavirus pandemic and constant civil unrest has contributed to a demand for professional counselors.
What's a day at work look like for a Chemical Dependency Therapist?
Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson: Due to our society becoming increasingly diverse and more distance learning becoming prevalent, there will become demand for social and cultural diversity training of counselors. In addition, the unemployment rate has been at an all time high. "The current unemployment rate, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics last week, is 6.3 percent, (Bayly, 2021)." Blacks, Latin X, and Asian Americans are experiencing a steep decline in employment compared to the vast majority of white Americans and non-Hispanic groups since the launch of the global pandemic (Gamelas, Davison, & Ing, 2021). Yet, these members of historically marginalized groups are often placed on the frontlines. Subsequently, new professionals have to recognize their role as a worker and how it impacts other roles. Thus, recent graduates will need to be culturally competent due to the ever-changing globalization of U.S. society.
What technical skills for a Chemical Dependency Therapist stand out to employers?
Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson: In addition, recent graduates will need to be familiarized with using telehealth platforms due to more remote learning needs. Plus, recent graduates will need to familiarize themselves with their basic facilitative skills to establish rapport quickly to have brief sessions. Also, I would recommend students receive competency-based credentials and become licensed in at least one additional state. Lastly, I would recommend students familiarize themselves with crisis intervention and trauma counseling.
In sum, graduates have to be aware of how their roles may shift due to job displacement, furloughs, and restructuring. Due to new challenges presented in the COVID-19 pandemic, graduates have to be prepared to address the possibility of being faced with high caseloads, secondary traumatization, role conflict/ambiguity, and tension in the workplace. As a precautionary measure, neophytes should adopt a holistic self-care regimen and professional network to ameliorate the mental health condition.
Madeline Lee Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorCalifornia State University San Marcos
Department of Social Work
What technical skills for a Chemical Dependency Therapist stand out to employers?
Madeline Lee Ph.D.: There are technical skills that may stand out to employers, but as social workers, I think those technical skills together with "soft skills," can make an applicant really stand out to employers; social workers can combine their research skills with evidence-informed care and organizational quality improvement efforts, while being able to lead, build relationships, and think critically. In the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, our graduates will need to be able to fluidly navigate between employing telehealth methods to performing their work safely in-person when engaging and helping clients. To be effective, social workers will also need to understand the reverberating effects of the deep-seated roots of racism in our country and be willing to honestly confront and address those issues in whatever role they assume. Social workers are needed now more than ever.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Madeline Lee Ph.D.: I think the coronavirus pandemic is having/will have an enduring impact on all of us. Social workers are essential workers, and our current students are already in the field, interning at over 125 organizations throughout our Southern California region. Our students and alum serve some of the most vulnerable, including children and families experiencing poverty, the child welfare system, those with mental health needs, veterans, and older adults. The coronavirus has exposed existing fault lines and meeting the challenge of working at the intersection of two pandemics-the coronavirus, which is new, and racism, which is not new-will have an enduring impact on our students and graduates as they strive towards social work's mission for social justice. When the pandemic is behind us, it is my sincere hope that we will not forget how truly essential essential workers are and remember that we are all undeniably, intricately interconnected with each other.
What's a good job out of college for Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Madeline Lee Ph.D.: We do not have a bachelors program in social work at CSUSM; we only have a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, so a good job out of our program may be different from one straight out of college with an undergraduate degree. I think that a good first job out of an MSW program is one that would provide the new graduate with great supervision and rich experiences for continued learning within a healthy organization where this is a strong sense of shared mission. All of this would need to be a good fit with the graduate's skills, passions, and values.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 13% from 2019-2029, much faster than 3.7% average for all occupations (this could increase in light of the pandemic). One of the benefits of an MSW is the versatility of the degree; it equips graduates for a range of careers, from being a clinician to a community organizer in a variety of settings, including private non-profits, hospitals, schools, and public agencies. Our graduates' first job may be a part of the sound foundation that supports their long-term social work career.
Dr. James Dalton Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health CounselingFreed-Hardeman University
Counseling Program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemical Dependency Therapist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. James Dalton Ph.D.: The pandemic has forced a shift to technology-assisted interactions in a wide variety of areas including education. I do not expect education to remain as reliant upon technology-assisted interaction as it has been in the past year. Neither do I expect our nation to return to almost complete reliance upon face-to-face interactions. Instead, I believe we will see technology-assisted education and technology-assisted school counseling integrated into the services of the majority of K-12 schools. Therefore, I believe we will see an increase in distance interactions with students through school counseling. Large districts may long-term employ some school counselors from off-site, or may incorporate off-site counselors into the services they provide.
Additionally, the pandemic has not decreased the mental health and wellness needs of our students, but instead has further demonstrated the existence of these needs and the difficulty many schools and communities have in meeting the needs of our most vulnerable populations. I expect this to lead to an increase in services that are provided by or integrated into schools including mental health counseling and trauma-informed counseling and services.
For both reasons, I expect school counseling jobs to have a greater variety of opportunities in the years ahead.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Dr. James Dalton Ph.D.: Completing state licensure requirements is always the most important thing to increase job prospects for school counselors. Without a license as a school counselor, one cannot find employment. Beyond licensure, given the shifts experienced from the pandemic, today I would encourage school counselors who want to stand out to pursue training and/or certification in distance or technology-assisted counseling methods. These skills will be quite useful to school counselors and will help demonstrate the applicant is cognizant of the skills currently needed in our schools.
What's a good job out of college for Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Dr. James Dalton Ph.D.: The best type of job for a new school counselor will fit the individual skills of that graduate. Each individual has to determine what age-level they are best suited to assist and what type of school and community environment in which they will best fit. Additionally, it is important for those early in their career to have more experienced colleagues from whom they can seek consultation and support to help them grow into fully-competent professional school counselors. Finally, it is important to have a position where the administration and faculty value both the administrative functions of the school counselor and also the counseling functions of the school counselor. Too many fail to value counseling enough that the school counselor is provided the resources necessary to devote significant time to the counseling function of their position.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Donna Aguiniga Ph.D.: The pandemic will have an enduring impact on all of us. Students have experienced illness, job loss, rapidly changing educational environments, family upheaval, and death-to name just a few of the outcomes of the pandemic. Yet, despite the pandemic, many students are pushing on with their goals and graduating. Social work students are utilizing technology more than ever to successfully complete their coursework while collectively becoming more digitally literate than their predecessors. The pandemic has created a greater need for social services and social workers and, though there will be challenges in the delivery of those services, graduates are well-prepared to enter the profession at this time.
What type of skills will young Chemical Dependency Therapists need?
Donna Aguiniga Ph.D.: Social work graduates must be prepared to work at any system level. For example, they should be able to interview a client, facilitate a group meeting, and analyze proposed legislation. Strong writing, communication skills, and digital literacy are a must, and I encourage students who are weak in these areas to seek out ways to improve them. Graduates need strong information literacy skills so they can parse out sound sources of information to continue to grow their professional knowledge. They need to be adaptive, flexible, and creative to address client and agency needs while maintaining ethical standards.
More than ever, graduates must prepare themselves to be stretched upon entering practice, meeting demands within ever-changing contexts. For example, I had a graduate with a bachelor's degree in social work accept a leadership position with an organization, start providing direct services to clients, and successfully write for a federal grant to increase the agency's programs all within a few months of earning her degree. While the graduate's education grounded her in the basics of these practices, she continued to develop her professional skills within the context of her employment.
What experience really stands out on Chemical Dependency Therapist resumes?
Donna Aguiniga Ph.D.: I encourage students to self-evaluate, to think now about how they can make themselves stand out amongst their peers and gain additional practical knowledge. There are many ways to do this. Participating in volunteer work, service-learning classes, study abroad, and student organizations can provide a way for students to gain experience and help their resumes stand out. However, many students have to work full-time and are limited in their opportunity to participate in activities and programs. A strong work history, regardless of the field, demonstrates responsibility in a way that is attractive to potential employers and can showcase desirable skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. In addition, all social work students are required to complete practicum experiences under the supervision of a professional social worker. The practicum is invaluable experience for a resume and has often led directly to job offers.
Dr. Richard Hazler Ph.D.
ProfessorThe Pennsylvania State University
Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, & Special Education
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemical Dependency Therapist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Richard Hazler Ph.D.: Schools still need to hire, but there is hesitancy as they figure out what their budgets are actually going to look like next year. The bottom line is that the pandemic has only upped the amount of stress and emotional problems for children that directly interfere with student learning. Everyone in a school (teachers, administrators, staff, and parents) want people who can help with these problems and who know how to work within the school context. The need and hiring of school counselors continues to increase.
What skills stand out on Chemical Dependency Therapist resumes?
Dr. Richard Hazler Ph.D.: Schools want counselors who are independent and committed to the school system, parents, and individual students. They want people who are competent in dealing with mental health issues and understand how to help in ways that promote attendance and academic success. They also want people who can work with teachers and parents to make things work better for the children.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Chemical Dependency Therapists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Richard Hazler Ph.D.: Any place in the country that is growing in suburban population is looking for counselors. Over the past ten years, areas of eastern Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and areas in California and Florida have been consistently hiring.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Chemical Dependency Therapists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Kurt Miller: What is exciting about the profession of social work is that they can be found in all countries. They work in rural and urban settings. They advocate in public, private, and non-profit organizations. They engage all types of communities. They collaborate with many other professionals. Rather than considering a specific locale for job opportunities, it is crucial to consider how social workers respond to all social contexts. Social workers are needed everywhere.
What are the best companies to work for a Chemical Dependency Therapist?
Dr. April Jones: The feedback from business leaders is that they wish to see a balanced mix of new graduates' skills. An unexpected gift mentioned is the ability to use spreadsheets, such as Excel. Companies do not expect to train new employees to use spreadsheets, though it turned out that spreadsheets are widely used (at varying levels of complexity) at all levels in organizations. An assumption here is that if a graduate already has good spreadsheet skills, then the graduate should also have the ability to quickly pick up on other, more complex business IT skills required by the organization.
Businesses also need to know if their new employees can effectively interact with internal or external audiences. In this regard, excellent presentation skills are the minimum expectation from businesses. Presentation skills (both formal and informal) include the ability to read people, communicate, and convey information appropriately to the different types of audiences they may encounter - and these may sometimes include bored, skeptical, adversarial, or even hostile audiences.
Every organization also requires graduates to show that they are good team-players. In addition to that, it is a significant advantage if graduates can also demonstrate good leadership skills in the context of teamwork. This is because new employees with leadership potential are viewed as those who are willing to go the extra mile, able to function with minimum supervision, can roll with the punches to jump back into the fray, and trusted to welcome (instead of to avoid) new assignments or challenges. Leadership skills are also seen as closely aligned with the possession of a corporate entrepreneurial mindset. Such employees are more willing to challenge the status quo, come up with out-of-the-box ideas, and help lead transformation efforts to guide the organization in the future.
Dr. Karen Bullock Ph.D.
Professor and HeadNorth Carolina State University
School of Social Work
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Chemical Dependency Therapist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Karen Bullock Ph.D.: Healthcare jobs, which includes mental health practitioners, are in high demand during the pandemic. However, this trend is not a new phenomenon. COVID19 has illuminated the stark reality that social work, as a profession, contributes skilled, well-credentialed, and highly educated individuals to work effectively across health, human services, and educational settings to meet the needs of people who may be vulnerable to psycho-social, economic, political, and environmental factors that are determinants of health outcomes. Since the pandemic, it has become abundantly clear that social workers are essential in the health arena to enhance human well-being and to meet the basic to complex needs of our diverse population of individuals, families, and communities that are struggling in the wake of the pandemic, and the absence of a cure or vaccine.
Erik Longnecker
Program ManagerBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Office of Public and Governmental Affairs Public Affairs Division
What general advice would you give to a Chemical Dependency Therapist?
Erik Longnecker: ATF Deputy Assistant Director of Human Resources & Professional Development, Peter J. Forcelli, who oversees Training & Professional Development for the agency commented, "There have been a number of challenges in 2020 to onboarding new ATF Special Agents. COVID restrictions made changes to the way we were recruiting. In the past, we primarily recruited in person; in March we turned to technology and the use of the internet to participate in virtual job fairs. We followed the recommendations on the wearing of masks and using appropriate social distancing and continued to get Special Agent applicants through the examination, the Physical Task Test, the panel interview, the polygraph and medical examinations, and a rigorous background investigation, in order to receive a Top-Secret Security Clearance. In addition to continuing these requirements, I am happy to report that in Fiscal Year 2020, despite challenges from COVID and the civil unrest, 186 individuals from very diverse backgrounds became ATF Special Agents. Many have already completed the entire training regimen to include the Criminal Investigator's Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia, followed by ATF's Special Agent Basic Training Program at the ATF National Academy, which is 14-weeks long, and involves extensive training in firearms technology, interviewing, case management, tactics, post-blast investigations, arson investigations, and federal firearms laws. Law enforcement is a calling for most who enter this field, and we persevere. As a former NYPD Detective and having been an ATF Agent for almost 20 years, it is a rewarding career - and I have never looked back. I expect the young men and women who became ATF Special Agents during this unpredictable year to feel the same way. I'm proud they chose ATF and confident in their abilities to meet our mission and continue protecting the American people from violent gun crime.
What type of skills will young Chemical Dependency Therapists need?
Erik Longnecker: Information about the eligibility for careers at ATF can be found on our website at: link
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Chemical Dependency Therapists to find work opportunities?
Erik Longnecker: ATF hires special agents for locations in every state and other territories of the United States.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chemical Dependency Therapists?
Erik Longnecker: Hiring continues throughout the pandemic. Special agents enforce federal arson, explosives and firearms laws. Violations of these laws have continued throughout the pandemic, requiring the unique skills and abilities of our special agents and other employees to combat violent crime and protect the public.
What type of skills will young Chemical Dependency Therapists need?
M Elizabeth Bowman Ph.D.: Social work graduates will need an ongoing understanding of cultural competence, explicitly incorporating a global perspective of the social work field and systems of oppression domestically and internationally. Students should be prepared by emphasizing cultural competency training within BSW and MSW programs, with exposure to varying cultures through the international school of social work partnerships. Additionally, social workers are expected to be aware of and competent in using technology, both for record-keeping and internal agency process, and for supporting case management (i.e., internet searches for resources, research for evidence-based practice, technology education, and support of clients).
Sonia Manuel-Dupont Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUtah State University
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
What experience really stands out on Chemical Dependency Therapist resumes?
Sonia Manuel-Dupont Ph.D.: When I review resumes, I look for life skills and transferable skills. These include skills that emerge from leadership positions, interdisciplinary teamwork, work with individuals and communities who are ethnically and linguistically different from the applicant, and extended practice with technical and professional communication.