Learn How To Become a Counselor - Counseling Degrees Online

Programs Currently Accepting Applicants

Syracuse University : Master of Social Work (CSWE accredited. Standard and Advanced Standing tracks. No GRE required.)

Northwestern University : Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (Complete your COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program in as few as 21 months. No GRE required.)

University of Southern California : Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling (No GRE required)

Capella University : Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accreditation. Master's and PhD options avaialble. )

Fordham University : Master of Social Work (Earn an MSW online. Traditional and advanced standing online MSW options are available. Accredited by the CSWE.)

Northwestern University : Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Pepperdine University : Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees (GRE scores are not required to apply, and you can earn your degree in as few as 27 months. LPC/MFT emphases available.)

NYU Steinhardt : Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (MPCAC accredited, GRE not required)

Purdue University Global : Master of Science in Human Services (100% Online, Multiple Start Dates)

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The Causes of Veteran Substance Abuse

Understanding the causes of veteran substance abuse is integral to effective treatment. It’s quite common for veterans to suffer from more than one cause of disorder. In that case, treatment can be more challenging.
The common causes of veterans substance abuse include the following:

Post-traumatic stress disorder. One of the most significant causes of substance abuse among veterans is PTSD. Called shell shock during World War I and battle fatigue during World War II, PTSD causes mental and emotional stress due to a traumatic experience. It causes various symptoms, such as reliving the experience (flashbacks), disturbed sleep, and physical pain. PTSD is linked to opioid use disorder and thoughts of suicide. Combat and other traumatic experiences can cause PTSD.

Shame and guilt. Veterans may also be burdened with emotions of shame and guilt, often as part of PTSD. Survivor’s guilt, in which soldiers survive a battle in which their comrades were killed, is a common cause of mental and emotional trauma. Shame, which makes people feel like bad people for their actions or inactions, can cause veterans to feel they deserve their mental and emotional illness. Shame can worsen their thoughts of suicide.

Traumatic brain injury. Veterans who suffered a traumatic brain injury, such as from an explosive device, can experience numerous symptoms: cognitive impairment, slower brain processing, and mental illness. They may also become more easily angered or frustrated. Repetitive TBI increases alcohol use among male combat veterans, according to researchers.

Physical injury. Soldiers deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan suffered various combat injuries. Besides gun or artillery fire, combat injuries included burns, broken bones, spinal injuries, shrapnel wounds, limb loss, and loss of sight and hearing. All of these injuries could have a permanent impact on veterans. Chronic pain can lead to overuse and subsequent addiction to painkillers.

Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program

School and Program Information	Online Program? Entry Requirements	Course Information
Syracuse University Master of Social Work CSWE accredited	✔ Online No GRE Required	Syracuse University’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program is preparing the next generation of social work leaders through an emphasis on digital innovation and social justice. Learn More
Northwestern University Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFTE Accredited	✔ Online GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required	The COAMFTE-accredited [email protected] is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. Learn More
University of Southern California Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling Prepares you for school counseling credential	✔ Live, online classes No GRE requirement	Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required Learn More
Capella University Master's and PhD in Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE Not Required	Choose from Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Human Behavior. Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling specialties Learn More
Fordham University Master of Social Work Accredited by the CSWE.	✔ Online Bachelor's Degree	Fordham’s top-ranked Graduate School of Social Service offers a future-focused online MSW program, preparing students for integrated practice with all populations. Bachelor's degree required. Learn More
Northwestern University Online MA in Counseling CACREP Accredited	✔ Online GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required	Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Full-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available Learn More
Pepperdine University Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees LPC/MFT emphases available.	✔ Online No GRE Required. Bachelor's Degree Required.	Choose your path at Pepperdine: pursue licensure as either an LMFT or LPC and serve diverse clients with our online master’s in clinical psychology. GRE scores are not required to apply, and you can earn your degree in as few as 27 months. Take the next step toward creating a positive social impact today. Learn More
NYU Steinhardt Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness MPCAC Accredited	✔ Online GRE not required; Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required	As few as 21 months to complete Learn More
Purdue University Global Master of Science in Human Services HLC Accredited	✔ Online Bachelor's Degree Required	Advance into leadership positions managing organizational policies, staff, funding, intervention programs, and more. Choose a concentration in family/community services or organizational/social services. Prepare to sit for industry credential exams. Learn More

*Sponsored Counseling Programs

☰ For detailed degree information, view the guides to:
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs

Commonly Abused Substances

Commonly abused substances by veterans can be legal (alcohol, tobacco, prescription medications) or illegal (heroin, methamphetamines, other illicit drugs). They may also fall into legal limbo (marijuana) as laws vary. However, substance abuse doesn’t discriminate between legal and illegal drugs.
The ramifications for veterans and their families can be stark. Substance abuse can impair a veteran’s ability to find and keep a job, potentially causing homelessness. It can also drastically impact mental and physical health.
Common substance abuse disorders include the following:

Opioid use disorder. Opioids are a class of drugs that include the painkiller oxycodone and the illicit drugs fentanyl and heroin. Veterans prescribed opioids such as oxycodone to manage pain may become addicted. If their prescription can’t be refilled, they may turn to other drugs, such as fentanyl or heroin. This can put them at risk of an accidental overdose.

Marijuana use disorder. Marijuana is the most widely used substance after alcohol and nicotine. Although it’s legal in some states, it can still be abused, as can alcohol and nicotine. It can worsen the symptoms of depression, social anxiety, and schizophrenia.

Nicotine use disorder. Most commonly found in tobacco, nicotine has many physical effects. Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause lung cancer, mouth cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Although legal, nicotine can be abused and can be one of the hardest substances to quit.

Alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use disorder can cause compulsive alcohol use and damage to the heart, liver, and immune system. The military has a culture of alcohol use. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 active service members reports binge drinking, compared with 1 in 6 civilians. Additionally, combat exposure increases the risk of alcohol abuse. Just like their active duty counterparts, veterans are more likely to binge drink.

Master of Social Work Program at Syracuse University

Syracuse University - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Northwestern University

Northwestern University - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)

Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling Program at University of Southern California

University of Southern California - Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling ( Accredited)

Master's and PhD in Counseling Program at Capella University

Capella University - Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Master of Social Work Program at Fordham University

Fordham University - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)

Online MA in Counseling Program at Northwestern University

Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees Program at Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University - Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees ( Accredited)

Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness Program at NYU Steinhardt

NYU Steinhardt - Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (MPCAC Accredited)

Master of Science in Human Services Program at Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global - Master of Science in Human Services (HLC Accredited)

Barriers to Treatment for Veterans

Veterans face many roadblocks to treatment for substance abuse, such as a shortage of resources, the complexity of their disorders, and even their own unwillingness to ask for help. Common barriers to treatment include the following:

Getting help. Veterans may be reluctant to seek treatment. This may be due to various contextual factors. Veterans often come from a military culture of strength and stoicism. Some veterans suffering from guilt or shame may not feel that they deserve treatment. They may worry about letting down their loved ones. All these issues can prevent veterans from reaching out.
Workplace stigma. Despite legal protections and a better understanding of veterans’ PTSD and other mental health disorders, there is still a stigma against veterans in the workplace. As a result, veterans may be reluctant to seek treatment. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers information to employers that want to encourage veterans (and all their employees) to use health benefits.
Access to treatment. Veterans suffering from several disorders require integrated treatment. This can make treatment expensive and prolonged. They may live an hour or more away from VA treatment facilities, even if a non-VA site is closer.
Denied claims. The VA hasn’t always handled soldiers’ PTSD claims correctly, denying many claims that should’ve been approved. However, the VA and the U.S. Department of Defense have initiated many programs to treat soldiers and veterans for PTSD, TBI, and other mental illnesses.

Counseling Veterans With Substance Abuse Issues

The VA provides guidance for counselors on treatment techniques for veteran substance abuse disorders and PTSD. Since veterans are often diagnosed with various related disorders (for example, PTSD and alcohol abuse), these techniques can help veterans with many symptoms.
The first step to treating veterans is screening. The VA has numerous screening tools, or questionnaires, that it uses to identify patients with PTSD. Counselors use this initial screening to further investigate a veteran’s symptoms. Counselors may confirm PTSD or a combination of disorders.
Treatments for veterans follow evidence-based care principles. These principles have proven effective in helping veterans overcome substance abuse and PTSD. The most common include the following:

Cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT helps veterans reframe behaviors surrounding their substance abuse. It helps them identify triggers and look for other ways to prevent use.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. EMDR helps patients process trauma while moving their eyes to follow light or sound. This engages both parts of the brain and helps the patient stop focusing on the pain.
Prolonged exposure. PE, also known as exposure therapy, helps patients face their fears or trauma, and gradually get used to the pain and fear. In time, the negative feelings lessen.

Resources for Counselors

The following resources are aimed at counselors treating veterans with substance abuse disorders:

Collaborative Care in Mental Health Reduces Hospital Admissions. Providing collaborative care, which involves coordination of care by interdisciplinary health care teams, has proven effective in treating VA patients with multiple mental health conditions.
Guilt, Shame, and Forgiveness. Veterans may be burdened with feelings of guilt and shame stemming from their time in service. Understanding these emotions is necessary to help veterans process, accept, and forgive.
Treatment Essentials. The VA’s National Center for PTSD provides guidelines for understanding and treating PTSD.
From Combat to Counseling: Veterans and the Criminal Justice System. Veteran treatment courts help provide compassionate justice for veterans who suffer from substance abuse and PTSD.
Social and Psychological Risk and Protective Factors for Veteran Well-Being. Veterans who identify strongly with their military experience may be less susceptible to suicidal thoughts, but more prone to alcohol abuse.

Resources for Veterans

Veteran substance abuse is a complex problem that has no easy answers. Veterans may suffer from several disorders, requiring integrated treatment. Long wait times for a VA facility or the lack of financial resources can create barriers to care. Additionally, counseling can be expensive and lengthy, because substance abuse disorders are difficult to treat and require inpatient or outpatient care.
As a result, help for substance abuse can feel like a daunting task for veterans. However, resources are out there. They range from the VA and other government agencies as well as counseling centers that specialize in the particular needs of veterans.
The following resources may help veterans and their families identify the care they need:

Help for Service Members and Their Families. Current and former members of the military can find various mental health resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
About Us. The goal of Justice For Vets is to reform how the justice system treats veterans who’ve committed crimes. The organization has formed veteran treatment courts to help veterans get the treatment they need and keep veterans out of jail or prison.
Military and Veterans Issues. GoodTherapy provides an overview of the emotional and mental health issues that soldiers and veterans face.
PTSD Treatment Works. The National Center for PTSD provides information on treatment, providers, and other resources for veterans and active members of the military.
Substance Use Disorder Program. The VA offers a guide to its facilities in all states and territories. The VA also has outpatient mental health clinics to help veterans with substance use disorders.
Substance Use. The VA provides a guide to help active members of the military and veterans identify behaviors that indicate a substance use disorder.

Still Looking for a Counseling Degree?

Here are some of the most popular online counseling programs. On each page you will find a detailed write-up of the program, specific courses, and schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.