BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – klion Counseling (CAC) program. This initiative, housed within WVWC’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program, will provide essential training for professionals addressing substance use disorders in West Virginia and the Appalachian region.

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at WVWC is the first graduate counseling training program in the state to offer a specialization in Addiction Counseling as part of the 60-credit degree. Students can enroll in the CAC as part of the CMHC master’s program or as a fully online, 12-credit certificate program if they already hold a healthcare-related master’s degree. The CAC can be completed in as little as one semester, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver quality addiction counseling services to communities hardest hit by substance use disorders.

Dr. Jen Randall Reyes, Director of the School of Counseling and Psychology at WVWC, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.

“The School of Counseling and Psychology at West Virginia Wesleyan College is honored to partner with the West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association (WVBHPA) to bring our Certificate in Addiction Counseling (CAC) to their membership. We support WVBHPA’s mission to create and sustain healthy and secure communities by training exceptional counselors at Wesleyan through our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling,” Dr. Reyes said.

WVWC Provost Dr. Lynn M. Linder emphasized the significance of this collaboration. 

“We are thrilled to launch this innovative Certificate in Addiction Counseling program, a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for skilled addiction counselors in our state. This program embodies West Virginia Wesleyan College’s commitment to creating meaningful impact and fostering positive change in West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region, providing flexible pathways for professionals to gain expertise in tackling substance use challenges,” Dr. Linder said.

Through this partnership, the WVBHPA’s nearly 40 member organizations will have access to WVWC’s high-quality addiction counseling training, furthering their mission to strengthen behavioral healthcare services across the state. By expanding educational opportunities for professionals in the field, WVWC and WVBHPA are taking a vital step toward combating substance use disorders and supporting community health initiatives.

For more information about the Certificate in Addiction Counseling program, visit www.wvwc.edu/cmhc

About West Virginia Wesleyan College:

West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit www.wvwc.edu