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Penn State DuBois Graduate program trains counselors By Karen L. Trimbath
Bill Allenbaugh (standing), Penn State DuBois instructor, teaches graduate courses in the chemical dependency program. A master’s-level clinician and licensed psychologist, he helps his graduate students to better understand treatment and prevention of chemical dependency. Photos by Michele Moyer—Penn State DuBois Penn State DuBois students enrolled in the master of education degree in counselor education, with a chemical dependency emphasis, discuss effective counseling techniques for treating and preventing chemical dependency.	Instructor Bill Allenbaugh wondered what would happen as he brought a recovering alcoholic and an adult child of another alcoholic into his group counseling class at Penn State DuBois. After all, his visitors could have felt uncomfortable relating their experiences in front of graduate students they had never met before.   Instead, said Allenbaugh, “the class turned into an exchange that both the visitors and my students described as therapeutic. It was a powerful session, one in which everyone explored the terrible consequences of addiction.” Later, his students thanked him for opening their eyes to how alcoholism damages both individuals and family and friends.   This type of profound, real-world interaction is one of many experienced by Penn State DuBois students enrolled in the master of education degree in counselor education, with a chemical dependency emphasis, said Dr. Constance Matthews, assistant professor of education. She oversees the program for the Department of Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology and Rehabilitation Services in the College of Education.   “Not only do students embark upon a rigorous schedule of course work and study, they also sign up for practicums at clinics, hospitals and prisons in order to better understand how to prevent and treat addictions,” Matthews said. “By the end of this process, students emerge better prepared to work with clients and families struggling with addiction, as well as work in community prevention efforts.”   Those involved with the program at Penn State DuBois say the graduate program, begun three years ago, responds to the region’s need for advanced education and training in this field. This need became more pronounced last year, when the Pennsylvania state legislature passed a title protection law that allows for the licensure of professional counselors who meet certain criteria, including having a master’s degree, completing supervised hours and passing a national examination.   Licensure is a win-win situation for both counselors and citizens of the Commonwealth, because not only does this new law raise standards and accountability for counselors, it also offers the possibility of higher-paying jobs and greater professional credibility, Diana Ricotta, Continuing Education representative at Penn State DuBois, said. She oversees the program’s implementation at the campus.   “Pennsylvania is one of the last states to require licensing,” Ricotta said. “Overall, you’ll see more people finding the need to earn a master’s degree or other credential to practice as a licensed counselor.”   Both Ricotta and Matthews added that a master’s degree is only one of the steps on the path to licensure. However, they believe the master’s degree program offered by Penn State DuBois helps counselors begin this process.   The master’s-level program is especially important, Allenbaugh believes, because the rural area served by Penn State DuBois, which includes Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson and Potter counties, needs well-trained substance abuse therapists.   “There’s an increased use of heroin in this area, for instance,” he added. “Chemical dependency is here, and we’ve got people who want to work in this field. They’ve got to be educated.”   Counselors in general clinical settings also need a strong chemical dependency background, Matthews said. She pointed out that counselors might work with clients who are depressed or have relationship or job problems. Chemical dependency can be a contributing factor in these situations, she added.   “It’s important for counselors in all settings to become more aware of this possibility,” she said.   Students entering this demanding field of study have several options. They can earn master’s degrees in either chemical dependency prevention or treatment, or they can complete an 18-credit certificate in addiction studies. Both the master’s degree and the certificate program prepare students for work in schools, hospitals, mental health centers and community service or treatment agencies.   Still others, including clergy, teachers, social workers and psychologists, simply take one or two courses to learn the basics of prevention or treatment.   The master’s degree program is also available at the University Park campus, and the 18-credit certificate program is offered at a number of other campuses, as well as through the Penn State World Campus.   Area residents interested in graduate-level counseling education find the program is flexible enough to suit their busy lives. Many of them hold full-time jobs and have families — responsibilities that they can still take care of while attending the program’s evening classes.   Although the program’s academic home is at University Park, students enrolled at Penn State DuBois get the best of both worlds, with the help of technology, Ricotta said. Courses mix in-class instruction with interactive two-way audio and video transmissions from University Park faculty, so that students need not drive several hours to another campus.   The faculty members have strong backgrounds in counseling, and some instructors still work in clinics. Allenbaugh, who teaches a number of courses for the program, is a master’s-level clinician and licensed psychologist. He and his colleagues use their collective experiences to enrich course readings, discussions and field trips.   Students already working as counselors also bring their experiences into the classroom and the resulting exchanges make everyone feel excited about their future profession, Rebecca Pennington said.   Pennington, who works at the DuBois campus as a student life coordinator, was one of the first master’s degree students to graduate last summer. She is also involved with the Partnership for Prevention Committee, part of a University-wide effort, in which campuses and communities explore effective strategies to prevent underage and binge drinking.   As Pennington pursued her degree part time, she found that classroom discussions were frequently spirited and that she learned which prevention methods worked and didn’t work.   “We were all learning what happens in the field,” she said. “The depth of insight provided in these classes helped us understand the implications of working with real clients.” An outreach program of the College of Education’s Department of Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology and Rehabilitation Services, and Continuing Education