Introduction
Established in September 1998, the Association of Professionals Specialising in Addiction Counselling (APSAC) is an independent, non-government, not-for-profit body that offers certification to addiction counsellors who meet the internationally established and recognized standards of professional competency.
International Recognition
APSAC is a member of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). Its members include local boards in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Germany and Bermuda, Greece, Puerto Rico, Malaysia and Singapore. The IC&RC is a voluntary organisation of certifying bodies which awards administrative reciprocity to counsellors who have fulfilled the certification requirements of its members.
Mission of APSAC
To provide public awareness and promote competent and quality services through certification of addiction counsellors engaging in the prevention and treatment of behavioural and substance addictions.
Objectives of APSAC
- To provide certification opportunities to local practitioners.
- To enhance the professionalism of addiction counselling field in Singapore.
- To provide local authorities with a standardised measure of determining competency.
- To provide networking, educational and training opportunities to local practitioners.
Benefits of Membership
- Access to training, conferences and workshops organised by APSAC.
- Voting privileges to certified members.
- Opportunities to network with other certified members.
- Pride of belonging to a professional association representing your chosen career.
Who Benefits from Certification?
- The patient and/ or client: To assure competent, professional addiction counselling services to persons suffering from behavioural and substance addictions and to improve the quality of service being provided to the client and family members.
- The public: To assure professional competency which will meet the standards required for licensing, accreditation, and third-party payers.
- The addiction professional: To provide a respected, marketable credential of professional competence and to enhance the role of the addiction counsellor.
- The profession: To provide a method whereby the highest professional standards can be established, maintained, and updated.