The Substance Abuse Counseling Program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe utilizes the most recent research and techniques in addictions treatment. This is coupled with the traditional understanding offered by Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12-step programs. This combination offers graduates the tools to best counsel clients dealing with addictive issues. Mental health counseling with addicted populations requires expertise, knowledge, and techniques not normally included in general counseling texts. Graduates of our program are well equipped to offer effective counseling dealing with the specific types of resistance, denial, and other cognitive processes found in the addicted client. Group therapy is the treatment of choice in treatment centers and our program prepares students to be effective group leaders.