A recovery coach is a mental health professional who provides assistance to drug and alcohol addicts or other individuals overcoming substance abuse disorders or addictions. The role of the recovery coach is to serve as a mentor, guide and support system for people working to establish and maintain sobriety.
The responsibilities of a recovery coach involve offering motivation, support, advocacy and guidance to individuals in recovery from addiction and substance use issues. They work closely with clients to develop a plan for recovery and help them make progress by celebrating victories, assisting with goal-setting, and providing accountability. Recovery coaches connect clients with resources and work collaboratively with other addiction counseling professionals.
Overall, the primary role of a recovery coach is to help clients overcome obstacles, avoid triggers and high-risk situations, and develop the skills and mindset needed for long-term sobriety.
Education Requirements
To become a recovery coach in Texas, there are no formal educational requirements. However, most recovery coaches receive specialized training and certification. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) offers a free 40-hour training course to become a certified peer specialist. This course covers topics like recovery principles, effective communication skills, professional boundaries, crisis intervention, and more. To maintain certification, peer specialists must complete 20 hours of continuing education every 2 years.
Some other training programs available in Texas include:
– The Recovery Coach Academy offers a 5-day intensive training program. Graduates receive a certificate of completion. This training is approved by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).
– The Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (TCBAP) offers training to become a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist. This involves online self-study and 40 hours of classroom instruction. Recertification is required every 2 years.
Certification
To become certified as a recovery coach in Texas, you must complete training approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The main certification is the Peer Recovery Support Specialist credential offered through the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals. This involves completing the core peer services training and the substance use disorder Recovery Coach training. Certified training entities can be found through the Texas Certification Board.
The core peer services training covers topics like ethics, engagement, trauma-informed care, and documentation. The SUD Recovery Coach training builds on this with a focus on serving those with substance use disorders. In total, the required training hours are 46 hours for initial certification.
Certified recovery coaches must renew their credential every 2 years in Texas. This requires obtaining 20 hours of continuing education and following a code of ethics. Renewal helpsrecovery coaches stay up to date with best practices in the field.
Licensure
In Texas, peer support specialists are not required to be licensed, but they must complete training and become certified to provide services. The main certification is the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credential offered through the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (TCBAP). To be eligible for CPS certification in Texas, candidates must:
Complete a TCBAP-approved Certified Peer Specialist training program. Approved programs include a minimum of 46 hours of training. (Source)
Pass the TCBAP CPS examination. This is a 75 multiple-choice question exam covering topics like peer specialist roles, recovery principles, ethics, and more. (Source)
Abide by the TCBAP ethical code of conduct and renewal requirements to maintain certification.
The CPS credential must be renewed every two years in Texas. Renewal requires documentation of 20 hours of continuing education. (Source)
Individuals with a CPS credential can provide peer support services in a wide range of settings across Texas.
Skills Needed
To be an effective recovery coach, there are several important skills and competencies needed. According to the Recovery Coaches International Organization, key coaching skills include active listening, direct communication, effective questioning, reflecting, intuition, and self-management. Recovery coaches need to be able to actively listen to their clients, ask thoughtful questions, and provide feedback and perspective. Communication skills like being direct yet compassionate are critical.
Other vital skills for recovery coaches include empathy, resilience, collaboration, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and relationship building. Recovery coaches need to connect with their clients on a human level, understand their struggles, and help motivate them towards recovery. Patience, optimism and adaptability are also very valuable. The ability to work cooperatively as part of a team is essential.
Overall, recovery coaches need exceptional communication and people skills in order to guide and support those recovering from addiction. Active listening and compassion are especially important.
Finding a Job
In order to find open recovery coaching positions in Texas, one must search job boards tailored for these roles, such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter. Keyword searches like “recovery coach jobs Texas” or “substance abuse recovery coach Texas” on sites like these will yield the most relevant results.
There are recovery coach job opportunities across the state, but larger metropolitan areas like Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio tend to have more openings. When searching for jobs, keep location filters broad or targeted to major cities in order to see the widest selection of opportunities.
It’s also helpful to follow recovery centers, treatment facilities, and relevant nonprofits in Texas on social media. Many organizations will post job openings to their official accounts and pages first before listing them elsewhere.
Networking can also be an effective way to find recovery coach positions, as referral programs and word-of-mouth in the recovery community are common. Attend relevant conferences, workshops, or community events to connect with potential employers.
Job Duties
The day-to-day responsibilities of a recovery coach primarily involve providing support and guidance to clients in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. According to Clearview Treatment, some typical duties and tasks of a recovery coach include:
- Helping clients identify goals and develop recovery plans
- Connecting clients to supportive services and resources in the community
- Providing education about addiction, recovery, and relapse prevention
- Coaching clients through triggers, cravings, and high-risk situations
- Helping clients manage their schedules and meet responsibilities
- Monitoring clients’ recovery progress and celebrating successes
- Providing non-clinical crisis intervention as needed
- Maintaining confidential client records and documentation
Recovery coaches play a supportive role in clients’ journeys toward rebuilding healthy, addiction-free lives. They act as mentors and cheerleaders, drawing on their own experiences in recovery to provide empathy, wisdom and hope.
Sources:
https://www.clearviewtreatment.com/resources/blog/addiction-recovery-coach/
Salary and Benefits
According to Indeed, the average salary for a Recovery Coach is $14.57 per hour in Texas. ZipRecruiter reports that the average pay range for a Peer Recovery Coach in Texas varies greatly, from as low as $12 to as high as $16.71 per hour. As of January 2024, ZipRecruiter indicates the average hourly pay for a Recovery Coach in Texas is $16.35.
Benefits for Recovery Coaches vary depending on the employer. Some common benefits may include health insurance, dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, professional development stipends, and tuition reimbursement. The specific benefits offered will depend on whether the Recovery Coach is employed by a non-profit organization, a private recovery center, a hospital, or other entity. Many Recovery Coaches are independent contractors who do not receive benefits from an employer.
Career Advancement
There are several options for advancing your career as a recovery coach in Texas:
You can become a certified or licensed recovery coach by obtaining additional training and certifications. Some options include becoming a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, Senior Recovery Coach, Recovery Coach Team Lead, or Recovery Coach Coordinator.
With experience, you may be able to supervise other recovery coaches or take on more responsibility coordinating recovery coaching services at a treatment center or organization. Some recovery coaches move into administrative or leadership roles.
You can also specialize in working with certain populations like veterans, families, or those recovering from a specific addiction. Specializing allows you to charge higher rates for your services.
Some recovery coaches start their own private practice or consulting business. This allows you set your own hours and rates.
With additional education, it may be possible to advance into counseling, social work, or other mental health professions. Many master’s programs offer credit for prior training and work experience.
Overall, there are many options to take on more responsibility and advance your career as a recovery coach.
Resources
There are a number of helpful associations, organizations, and websites for those pursuing a career as a recovery coach in Texas.
The Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (TCBAP) provides certification for peer recovery coaches in Texas. Their website has information on certification requirements and processes: https://www.tcbap.org.
The Addiction Science Research Education Center (ASREC) at the University of Texas offers a range of training and education programs for professionals in addiction treatment and recovery. Their website has details on training programs specific to recovery coaches: https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/asrec/training/recovery-coach-academy/.
The National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR) provides standards and support for all recovery housing providers. Their website includes a national directory of certified recovery residences as well as information on becoming an accredited recovery residence: https://narronline.org.
Faces & Voices of Recovery is a recovery advocacy organization that promotes recovery through advocacy, education, and demonstration of the power of recovery. Their website has resources for those in recovery as well as recovery coaches: https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org.
