Specializations

Addictions Treatment

6 semester hours

People everywhere are widely impacted by substance abuse and addiction. National surveys indicate that nearly half of Americans have been impacted by substance abuse or addiction in their family or close friend group (e.g., Pew Research Center). Moreover, it is estimated that 35-50% of the people who seek therapy services for mental health or relational concerns also struggle with substances (NIDA, 2024). Family therapists with specialized training in addiction and recovery are uniquely qualified to provide therapy to individuals, couples, and families impacted by substance abuse and addiction.

MCFT students can complete the addictions treatment track by adding two Professional Mental Health and Addiction Counseling (PMHC-A) courses to their plans of study:

• MHCA 545 - Drugs, Brain, and Behavior (3cr); AND
• MHCA 546 - Models in Addiction Recovery (3cr) OR MHCA 547 - Addictions Treatment: Procedures, Skills, Case Management (3cr)

In addition to meeting the requirements to be a licensed marriage and family therapist, MCFT students who complete the addictions track meet most of the educational requirements to be a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC-I) in Oregon. Students interested in pursuing additional clinical training in addiction and recovery have the opportunity to complete their externship placement at approved sites integrating substance use services and family therapy. Any student interested in providing gambling addiction treatment can do so through various opportunities with Lewis & Clark Problem Gambling Services.

Students who complete the addictions track are better equipped to meet the diverse needs of their clients in Oregon and beyond.

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Eco-Soma-Arts

8 semester hours

The Eco-Soma-Arts Therapy Certificate program is nested in one of the top-rated U.S. Green Schools, Lewis & Clark. It offers clinicians and clinicians-in-training concrete ways of working in and with nature using somatic, verbal, spiritual, and artistic expressions. This re-centering of our human expression to relate to and heal with other-than-human beings still needs to address how equity impacts the possibility of doing so. Our program integrates much-needed awareness and tools to address equity and belonging as an essential part of any ecotherapy training program. Students who wish to complete this track and have priority for these classes must apply in advance for the Eco-Soma-Arts certificate.

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Eating Disorders Certificate

9 semester hours

MCFT students may also complete the eight course, nine-semester units Eating Disorders Certificate for either graduate credit or for Continuing Education (CEPD) only credit.