Addictions and Mental Health
Enhance your skills to holistically support individuals and communities with addressing mental health and addictions challenges.
- The Canadian Addictions Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) affirms that this program meets the education requirement component of their certification process
- Benefit from supportive and experienced facilitators who are active in their industry
- Courses are built with flexibility in mind and can be accessed anytime and from anywhere
Program Availability and Schedule
Availability
Availability varies by course. Click here to view availability for courses in this program.
Schedule
Given the part-time delivery of this program, there is not a standard schedule for all learners.
Program Summary
Credential
Program Code
Area of Interest
Other Delivery Options
Work Integrated Learning
Eligible for Post-Graduation
Work Permit?
This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed for individuals in healthcare, social services, or those interested in specializing in addictions and mental health treatment practices.
This program equips you with the knowledge and skills to treat mental health and substance use through a holistic, interdisciplinary approach. Key topics include recovery strategies, cultural safety, counselling interventions and Indigenous healing practices....(read more)
Overview
Enhance your skills to holistically support individuals and communities with addressing mental health and addictions challenges.
This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is designed for individuals in healthcare, social services, or those interested in specializing in addictions and mental health treatment practices.
This program equips you with the knowledge and skills to treat mental health and substance use through a holistic, interdisciplinary approach. Key topics include recovery strategies, cultural safety, counselling interventions and Indigenous healing practices.
You gain practical experience through applied simulations and a supervised field placement where you apply knowledge of best practices and further enhance your skillsets such as clinical documentation, treatment planning, counselling interventions and navigating ethical dilemmas, preparing you to work in diverse settings.
Graduates may find employment in a variety of different programs and agencies as there is a growing need for mental health and addictions support throughout Canada. Fields may include but are not limited to:
- Treatment Centres and Hubs
- Community Outreach Programs
- Counselling programs
- Withdrawal Management Settings
- Medical Settings
- Social Service Agencies
- School Boards
- Government Agencies
The Addictions and Mental Health Graduate Certificate (AMH) is recognized by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Federation (CACCF), Canada's Addiction Workforce Regulator. The CACCF affirms that this program meets the education requirement component of their certification process. By successfully completing this program, graduates may be eligible to pursue the CACCF certification.
Courses
Read this before applying:
Part-time graduate certificate programs require you to complete an application and be accepted into the program prior to course registration. Please apply via www.ontariocolleges.ca before registering. Accepted students may register for up to three courses per term.
Online  |
| Course Number |
Hours | Course Name | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series: 01 | |||
| SSC1001 | 14.0 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | |
| SSC1002 | 14.0 | Exploring the Professional Helping Field | |
| SSC1003 | 42.0 | Professional Helping in Practice 1: Therapeutic Relationships | |
| SSC1007 | 28.0 | Ethical Practice and Professionalism in Mental Health and Addictions | |
| SSC1005 | 28.0 | Introduction to Counselling | |
| SSC1006 | 42.0 | Counselling in Diverse Contexts | |
| SSC1004 | 56.0 | Mental Health, Concurrent Disorders & Addictions | |
| Series: 02 | |||
| SSC2011 | 42.0 | Professional Helping Practice 2: Interventions and Treatment Plans | |
| SSC2012 | 56.0 | Group Counselling for Family, Youth and Community | |
| SSC2013 | 42.0 | Interventions for Addictions and Mental Health | |
| SSC2014 | 28.0 | Community Capacity Building | |
| SSC2050 | 42.0 | Introduction to Trauma-Informed Practice | |
| SSC2015 | 28.0 | Career and Field Placement Preparation | |
| Series: 03 | |||
| SSC2016 | 28.0 | Professional Helping in Practice 3: Reflective Practice & Client Termination | |
| FLD0021 | 200.0 | Field Placement for Addictions and Mental Health | |
Careers & Pathways
Careers
Graduates may find employment opportunities in the addictions and mental health field as community support workers, team leaders, case managers, clinicians, mental health counsellors, crisis workers, program evaluation coordinators, addictions counsellors, intake coordinators, and mental health workers.
Pathways
Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Provide wholistic and culturally relevant assessments in collaboration with individuals experiencing addiction and mental health challenges guided by trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practices.
- Co-create and collaboratively monitor wellness plans that meet the unique needs of the individual to determine if additional goals, interventions and supports are needed.
- Provide services and resources to individuals, families/natural supports and communities in accordance with various frameworks and informed by multiple research perspectives.
- Make ethical decisions aligned with professional standards that adhere to workplace policies and legislation within scope of practice.
- Educate and advocate alongside individuals, families/natural supports, and communities to reduce stigma, navigate referral processes and challenge barriers to wholistic care.
- Build collaborative relationships with individuals, families/natural supports, community members and networks to enhance addiction and mental health services.
- Work safely and in accordance with trauma-informed critical incident and crisis management practices to increase safety of self and others.
- Develop individualized self-care and critical self-reflection strategies to maintain health, growth and resilience as an addiction and/or mental health practitioner.
- Comply with confidentiality requirements and documentation standards to respect individual rights and self-determination.
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.
Tuition & Fees
2026/2027 Academic Year
Fees are subject to change.
Fees for part-time programs are charged on a course-by-course basis and are published on each individual course page.
Graduation Fee
Once you have completed all the courses in the program, it is the responsibility of the student to complete a credential application algonquincollege.com/online/certificationgraduating/. A graduation fee is charged when the application is submitted. After your credential application has been approved, you will be invited to Convocation.
Additional program related expenses include:
Students can expect to spend up to $250 on field placement related documentation and clearances.
Admissions Requirements
Program Eligibility
Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma or Degree or equivalent in the human, health, or social sciences fields OR
Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma or Degree or equivalent in another field with at least five courses in the human, health, or social sciences fields.OR
Applicants with partial post-secondary education (minimum two years in good academic standing) in the human, health, or social sciences fields may be considered for admission.
Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band;OR TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) tests taken prior to January 21, 2026 overall 88, with a minimum in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.OR TOEFL Internet-based (iBT) tests taken after January 21, 2026 overall 4.5, with a minimum in each component: Reading 4.5; Listening 4.5; Speaking 4.5; Writing 4.5. OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 120, minimum of 120 in Literacy and no score below 105.
Application Information
ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH
Program Code 1829X07PAO
Applications to Grad Cert Part-time programs must be submitted via our online application form https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/part-time-application-form/. There is no application fee.
Prior to starting your application, please ensure that you have consulted the program admission requirements and have all the supporting documentation in a digital format ready to be uploaded.
Applications submitted in a paper format or via email will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be processed.
Applications will typically be processed within 2-3 weeks but can take longer during peak times and start of academic terms. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 4-6 weeks prior to start of term.
Additional Information
Program Resources
The addictions and mental health field can be emotionally and physically demanding due to the complex needs of the communities and clients. Applicants must be aware that the course content and field placement may be unsettling due to the realities of addictions and mental health related challenges. Self-care is an essential aspect of the helping profession. Applicants must consider the need to maintain personal wellness and an awareness of potential causes of stress and barriers to working effectively in challenging environments.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTATION:
Medical and Non-medical Requirements: the AMH program requires students to meet the following medical and non-medical requirements:
- Immunization Records;
- Police Records Check for Service with the Vulnerable Sector (PRCSVS)
For further placement information, please refer to our website at the following link: https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/field-placement-amh/
PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Placement is a very important component of the Addictions and Mental Health (AMH) program consisting of 200 hours of unpaid experience in the field and all students must complete this requirement to graduate. The goal of placement is for students to use practical learning experiences to support the integration of theory and professional expectations in the addictions and mental health field.
Students indicate the placement location/city of their choice and placements may be completed in a variety of community mental health and addictions services settings.
Please note, placement hosts may require specific educational credentials, certifications and prior experience to be eligible to work in their setting. AMH Placement Request Form: this form must be submitted prior to the placement deadline to ensure students are added to the placement list for their desired semester. Please be prepared to upload a current version of your resume to complete the submission process.
Contact
Future Students
For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.
Current Students
For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.