The aim of this course is to enable prospective psychological counselors to understand the phenomenon of addiction in a multidimensional way and to equip them with knowledge and skills regarding the basic theoretical approaches, assessment methods, and intervention strategies that can be applied by psychological counselors working with addiction. Furthermore, the course aims to help students recognize the developmental, psychosocial, and cultural dimensions of addictive behaviors and to work with addiction within the counseling process in accordance with ethical principles.

The course covers the definition of addiction, its types (e.g., substance addiction, behavioral addictions), and developmental characteristics; biopsychosocial models of addiction; risk factors and protective factors related to addiction; theoretical approaches used in the psychological counseling process for addiction (e.g., cognitive-behavioral, motivational interviewing, solution-focused, social bond theory); assessment and diagnosis of addiction; school- and community-based prevention programs; and ethical and professional issues that may be encountered by counselors working with addiction. In addition, case analyses and example intervention plans will be discussed with a practice-oriented approach.