Opiate Use Disorder Treatment: a SUD Counselor’s Guide

Every six minutes, an American dies from an opioid overdose. As the opioid epidemic deepens, behavioral health clinicians are increasingly on the frontlines—yet many feel unprepared to navigate the complexities of treatment in a rapidly evolving clinical, cultural, and regulatory landscape.

This course is a practical, empowering guide for clinicians seeking to better understand and support clients with opioid use disorder (OUD)—whether you’re new to this area or need tools for leading conversations and treatment teams more effectively.

Dr. Malcolm Horn, PhD, LCSW, LAC, SAP, MAC, brings over a decade of experience working at the intersections of addiction, co-occurring disorders, clinical supervision, and systemic stigma. As Chief Behavioral Health Officer at an integrated care center in rural Montana, and as a nationally certified interventionist and educator, Dr. Horn knows what it takes to bridge clinical expertise with person-centered care—especially in underserved areas.

With warmth and clarity, Dr. Horn equips learners to recognize their role in the treatment continuum, use trauma-informed and harm-reduction strategies, and confidently engage in cross-disciplinary conversations about MOUD (medication for opioid use disorder)—even when those discussions fall outside one’s prescriptive authority.

Topics covered in this course include the evolution of medication-assisted treatment (MAT to MOUD), myths and stigma surrounding opioid addiction, challenges in rural and group therapy settings, the DSM-5 criteria and spectrum model for SUD diagnosis, and the clinical nuances of medications like Suboxone, methadone, and Vivitrol. You’ll also explore practical strategies for fostering client trust, enhancing treatment adherence, and applying harm-reduction approaches in real-world scenarios.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand core differences among MOUD options: Learn how various medications function and how to help clients make informed choices within your clinical role.

• Strengthen counseling skills for OUD clients: Gain actionable techniques for supporting clients through withdrawal, relapse prevention, and the stigma of treatment.

• Apply integrated care strategies: Position yourself as an effective member of an interdisciplinary treatment team by understanding your scope and communicating clearly with prescribers and peers.

Why this course?

• Timely, relevant, and real: This training is rooted in the current crisis and taught by a clinician who understands the day-to-day realities of addiction treatment.

• Designed with your scope in mind: The course speaks directly to non-prescribing professionals who need tools to engage clients around medication and recovery.

• A mission-driven provider: Telehealth Certification Institute equips clinicians with exceptional continuing education that promotes excellence, collaboration, and wellness in care.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the differences in MAT medications.

• Identify and implement foundational counseling skills specific to this population.

• Engage in practical skills as a part of the treatment continuum to help provide services to this population.

Whether you're a seasoned counselor or a clinical supervisor guiding others, this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to support clients with OUD in more meaningful, collaborative, and stigma-free ways.

Add it to your toolkit today and be part of the solution.