Psychology and counseling department partners with Cumberland Heights on new program
Lacey Klotz |
Lipscomb University’s Department of Psychology and Counseling is teaming up with Cumberland Heights’ alcohol and drug abuse recovery center to create a specialized program for students in the CACREP-accredited Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling track this spring.
“While pursuing this degree, students will learn about treating addiction through an addictions lens and a mental health lens, creating a unique perspective and marketable skills,” said Melanie Morris, an assistant professor in graduate counseling at Lipscomb. “This degree will also complete the academic requirements to allow students to pursue two licenses in Tennessee: licensed professional counselor with mental health service provider designation and licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. This dual licensure creates a highly competitive graduate.”
Morris also coordinates the practicum and internship process for the M.S. in clinical mental health counseling program and supervises practicum and internship students. She says through the partnership with Cumberland Heights, Lipscomb students will have guaranteed spots to complete their practicums and internships at Cumberland Heights.
“It is very rare to have a guaranteed spot for a practicum or internship in this profession,” Morris said.
The Lipscomb University interns will be able to choose from Cumberland Heights’ residential men's, women's, young men's, adolescent males’ and family programs – as well as adult or adolescent intensive outpatient experiences. It is rare for a practicum site to be able to offer this range of choices.
“This program comes at just the right time for this industry,” said Jay Crosson, CEO of Cumberland Heights. “These interns will be able to learn from some of the very best in the industry while gaining firsthand experience in a ‘real life’ rehabilitation setting.”
“This program can provide Cumberland Heights and the larger field in general with qualified addictions counselors during a time when that specialized work force is facing a critical shortage,” said Cumberland Heights’ Chief Clinical Officer Cinde Freeman. “The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) has identified this shortage as a major challenge for our field nationwide. I am proud that through this program, we are proactively doing something about it.”
Lipscomb University’s M.S. in clinical mental health counseling is designed to meet the academic requirements for Tennessee licensure as a professional counselor with mental health service provider designation (LPC-MHSP).
This credential allows students to provide counseling services in a variety of settings in the community such as mental health centers, private practices and churches, and the program’s emphasis on faith integration is especially helpful for those who wish to practice in faith-related settings.
Cumberland Heights celebrates its 50th anniversary of operation this year. As a nonprofit organization, its mission is to transform lives, giving hope and healing to those affected by alcohol or drug addiction.
With half a century of direct experience as one of the nation’s top drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers, Cumberland Heights is perfectly positioned to help the next generation of licensed counselors and assist with the instruction of Lipscomb University students who desire to pursue this important profession.
For more information about Lipscomb’s Department of Counseling and Psychology and the Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling visit: www.lipscomb.edu/psychology.