Addiction Therapists

Therapists who work for government agencies can join the American Federation of Government Employees, a union that represents government workers. Union members often have a better chance of landing a job, and they often receive higher pay and better benefits than those who are not members of unions.

Professional associations offer many useful resources for addiction therapists. Many provide membership options—including for college students. Associations also hold conferences at which therapists can network and participate in continuing education classes. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Mental Health Counselors Association, National Board for Certified Counselors, and NAADAC, Association for Addiction Professionals provide certification programs for therapists. Other noteworthy organizations include the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network, American Counseling Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors. There are also organizations at the local and state levels.