Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Torrance, CA
A Substance Abuse Counselor plays a crucial role in the mental health industry by assisting individuals who are struggling with drug or alcohol addictions. They provide guidance and treatment plans to help these individuals recover and maintain a drug-free life. Their responsibilities include assessing clients' mental and physical health, formulating treatment plans, organizing group therapy sessions, and providing coping strategies. They may also work closely with family members to support the recovery process and facilitate family therapy sessions. Additionally, they track their clients' progress and readjust treatment plans as necessary.
Substance Abuse Counselors should possess a strong understanding of addiction and recovery principles, excellent communication skills, and compassion. They must also have the ability to work with diverse populations and maintain confidentiality. In terms of qualifications, they should have a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, or a related field, although a master's degree is often preferred. They should also be certified in substance abuse counseling by a recognized body such as the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals. Prior to becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor, individuals might have experience as a Mental Health Counselor, Social Worker, or Case Manager, which can provide valuable skills and insights for this role.

Substance Use Disorder Specialist I
- LA Family Housing
- North Hollywood, CA (23 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 12 days ago
- LA Family Housing
- North Hollywood, CA (23 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 12 days ago
abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, resources for undocumented persons) Able to demonstrate empathy and a non-judgmental attitude when engaging with persons experiencing homelessness Possess a high...
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- Pasadena, CA (24 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 11 hours ago
- Pasadena, CA (24 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 11 hours ago
QUALIFICATIONS: Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor or Bachelor's degree plus at least 1-year work/volunteer experience in the substance abuse field. 1-year experience teaching or presenting material...
- Commerce, CA (14 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 30+ days ago
- Commerce, CA (14 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 30+ days ago
Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a Social Service agency or within a Behavioral Health Environment, but preferably in drug rehab counseling and addiction treatment required....
Substance Abuse Counselor - Correctional Health
- Los Angeles, CA (10 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 60+ days ago
- Los Angeles, CA (10 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 60+ days ago
with substance abuse problems....
- Westminster, CA (19 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 90+ days ago
- Westminster, CA (19 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 90+ days ago
Our team is looking for a Substance Abuse Counselor who is passionate about people and believes every individual deserves the best quality mental health care....
Substance Abuse Counselor / Emergency Appointment Homelessness
- Los Angeles, CA (10 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 90+ days ago
- Los Angeles, CA (10 miles from Torrance, CA)
- 90+ days ago
Option II: One (1) year of training at the level of Substance Abuse Counselor Aid* in a substance abuse counselor training program....
Demographic Data for Torrance, CA
Moving to Torrance, CA? Find some basic demographic data about Torrance, CA below.
Substance Abuse Counselor Online Courses and Training Opportunities
Salary for Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs in Torrance, CA
Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Substance Abuse Counselor positions.
Highest Education Level
Substance Abuse Counselors in Torrance, CA offer the following education backgroundQualifications / Skill Sets
The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Substance Abuse Counselor position
- Harm Reduction
- CASAC
- Relapse Prevention
- Individual and Group Therapy
- Psychosocial Assessment
- Psychoeducation
- Family Counseling
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Behavioral Therapy
- Chemical Dependency Treatment
- Mental Health
- Addictions Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Dual Diagnosis
- Group Facilitation
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Behavioral Health
- Clinical Supervision
- Individual Counseling
- Addictions
- Community Resources
- Substance Abuse
- Interventions
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Therapeutic
- Treatment Planning
- Crisis Intervention
- Human Services
- Social Services
- Drug and Alcohol Counseling
- Discharge Planning
- Motivational Interviewing
- Outpatient
- Psychology
- Crisis Management
- Rehabilitation
- Drug Testing
- Patient Care
- Case Management
- Masters In Education
- Counseling
- Health Care
- Reimbursement
- Referrals
- Interviewing
- Background Checks
- Documentation
- Filing
- Regulations
- Policy Development
- Organization
- Scheduling
- Leadership
- Communication Skills
Other Career Titles
Here are some other career titles that require similar skills
Substance Abuse Counselor Related Career Advice Articles

Career Guide: Different Types of Mental Health Counselor Specialties
Check out our guide to the different types of mental health worker jobs including numerous mental health counselor specialties to consider.
Read article »
Essential Skills for Mental Health Professionals
Mental health careers are as varied as they are rewarding. This guide describes mental health skills that will make success in your chosen sector even more attainable. While everyone’s career is different, the following skills for mental health workers are applicable to every profession.
Read article »
The Secret to Writing an Effective Mental Health Resume
To stand out from the crowd, you must highlight key contributions. You don’t have to be a professional resume writer to effectively tout your accomplishments in a way that will make employers take notice and call you in for an interview.
Read article »