Re: RE: Art Therapy & CASAC

[Guest guest]

I would love it if folks can reply in the group format as I would loveto hear answers.Marisa SullivanBreathe in be present, breathe out be peace...

Hello Creative Arts Therapists: I have a few questions regarding getting a CASAC. Are there any benefits for CATs in getting a CASAC? For CATS that have the CASAC, has having this credential helped you in any way (i.e., getting on insurance panels, obtaining a higher salary at your work, etc.)? A social work colleague recommended I look into getting the CASAC since I already work with a MICA population. But I am wondering is shelling out another $200 and taking another exam worth it. Any feed back is highly appreciated! Thanks.

Best wishes, Gil, MS, LCAT, ATR-BCArt Therapist ×€ PsychotherapistEvolve Through Art, PLLC19 West 34th Street, PHNew York, NY 10001Office: X277

Mobile: www.evolvethroughart.comevolvethroughart@...

-- Best wishes,

Gil

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[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I am an ATR-BC, LCAT, and a CASAC. The CASAC is extremely valuable if you work in any addictions site, for these reasons:

* Most addiction sites do not recognize the LCAT as a valid credential to work with addiction clients. Having the CASAC could help you get the job.

* Counseling addiction clients requires certain skills and knowledge that one doesn't necessarily get while studying art therapy. You could better see issues related to addiction as revealed in the art, and you would be better able to guide the art making in a therapeutic direction. This would enhance your therapeutic presence and authority because the clients could sense that you are knowledgeable about their problem, and they would probably trust you more.

* Most sites, including MICA sites, require the counselors to lead psycho-educational groups as well as art groups, and you would be able to do this because you would have a better understanding of addiction and its causes and consequences.

As for your questions:

* CASAC providers are not independent providers and cannot bill insurance directly. However, all state licensed addiction sites, whether in hospitals or outpatient clinics, must have a certain number of QHPs (qualified health providers) on staff, and a CASAC is a QHP (as are LCSWs) .

* Generally speaking, CASACs earn less than Master's level, licensed counselors, but having both a CASAC and an LCAT could help you get a higher salary at some sites.

Also, the credential requires much more than $200 and a test. You must take CASAC courses (300 or more hours) and have many hours of supervised experience working directly with addictions clients (I forget how many hours, but more than 1,000). You can become a CASAC-T, which means a CASAC in Training, until you complete the requirements. This can take a few years.

Addictions treatment is strictly monitored. The CASAC requires CEUs just like the ATR-BC. You can get all the information about the credential at the OASAS website (Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services). If you plan to specialize in addictions, it would be valuable to have this credential. It can help you move up to a managerial level if this is what you want. If you plan to work in different populations (with children, the elderly, psychiatric populations), the knowledge you would gain could be valuable because all these populations may be affected by addiction (even if your client isn't addicted).

If you have the time and money to get another degree, a social work degree leading to an LCSW may be a better investment because it has more advantages in different populations.

Hope this helps. Dora Fairchild, ATR-BC, LCAT, CASAC, MPS, MDiv.

RE: Art Therapy & CASAC

Hello Creative Arts Therapists:

I have a few questions regarding getting a CASAC. Are there any benefits for CATs in getting a CASAC? For CATS that have the CASAC, has having this credential helped you in any way (i.e., getting on insurance panels, obtaining a higher salary at your work, etc.)? A social work colleague recommended I look into getting the CASAC since I already work with a MICA population. But I am wondering is shelling out another $200 and taking another exam worth it. Any feed back is highly appreciated! Thanks.

Best wishes,

Gil, MS, LCAT, ATR-BC

Art Therapist ×€ Psychotherapist

Evolve Through Art, PLLC

19 West 34th Street, PH

New York, NY 10001

Office: X277

Mobile:

www.evolvethroughart.com

evolvethroughart@...

--

Best wishes,

Gil

[Guest guest]

I replied to directly about the CASAC, but am attaching my response here if others are interested.....

Hi ,I also work with the MICA population and I made the decision to get the CASAC. While it is another exam (nothing compared to the LCAT exam), the masters degree takes off a huge number of "experience" hours and OASAS offers many free online courses that are completed by pdf and a simple online quiz: http://www.oasas.ny.gov/AdMed/edseries.cfmI do feel that the training has helped to inform my art therapy practice and, additionally, the CASAC certainly holds some weight professionally. People respect it, colleagues and patients, and I've found it to enhance my credibility as a clinician - not outweighing my credentials as an art therapist, but supplementing them. I work in a chemical dependency unit at a hospital, so the CASAC is the thing to have... not that I've received any kind of additional compensation

;)For me, I do feel that it has been worth it. The process was relatively simple, OASAS has amazing support staff that will work with you throughout, and the masters degree goes a long way- for experience hours and coursework. You can complete the application at any time, send in the credits you have, and an OASAS worker will contact you to create a plan. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I hope this helps!Kate

Kate Mack, MPS, ATR-BC, LCAT, CASACArt Therapist/Rehabilitation CounselorKings County Hospital CenterProject Access451 son AveR building, 2nd floorBrooklyn, NY 11203

To: NYCCAT Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 11:49 PMSubject: RE: Art Therapy & CASAC

Hello Creative Arts Therapists:

I have a few questions regarding getting a CASAC. Are there any benefits for CATs in getting a CASAC? For CATS that have the CASAC, has having this credential helped you in any way (i.e., getting on insurance panels, obtaining a higher salary at your work, etc.)? A social work colleague recommended I look into getting the CASAC since I already work with a MICA population. But I am wondering is shelling out another $200 and taking another exam worth it. Any feed back is highly appreciated! Thanks.Best wishes,

Gil, MS, LCAT, ATR-BCArt Therapist ×€ Psychotherapist

Evolve Through Art, PLLC19 West 34th Street, PH

New York, NY 10001

Office: X277Mobile:

www.evolvethroughart.com

evolvethroughart@...-- Best wishes, Gil