How to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Virginia

The role of recovery coaches in Virginia is instrumental in providing vital support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting recovery.

In Virginia, recovery coaches serve as valuable guides and mentors, empowering and motivating clients, and helping them navigate their recovery journey with confidence and determination.

This article aims to delve into the field of recovery coaching in Virginia, shedding light on the necessary steps to become a professional recovery coach.

Job Description for a Professional Recovery Coach in Virginia

You need to know that recovery coaches do not act as therapists and do not offer treatment.

Recovery coaches in Virginia are assisting people in recovery, and helping them formulate a plan that is sustainable long-term.

The role of a recovery coach in Virginia entails a wide range of crucial responsibilities, each contributing to the overall support provided to individuals seeking to overcome addiction:

Education and Life Skills:

A recovery coach plays a vital role in educating clients about essential life skills necessary for maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

This includes imparting knowledge on communication, stress management, and developing healthy routines.

Goal Setting and Action Planning:

Collaborating closely with clients, recovery coaches assist in establishing realistic goals and developing actionable plans to achieve them.

By identifying personal strengths and available resources, coaches help clients navigate their recovery journey with a clear roadmap.

Accountability and Support

Recovery coaches hold clients accountable for their actions and commitments, fostering a sense of responsibility and commitment to their recovery goals.

Safety and Well-being

The well-being of clients is of utmost importance to recovery coaches in Virginia.

They conduct regular safety checks and wellness assessments to ensure clients’ overall physical and emotional health.

Access to Resources

Recovery coaches play a crucial role in connecting clients with additional recovery resources.

Steps to Become a Professional Recovery Coach in Virginia

If you want to become a recovery coach in Virginia, you need to take these steps:

1. Education

Get a high school diploma or GED.

2. Practical Experience

Get practical experience by doing volunteer work or getting hired in an addiction recovery center.

This practical experience enables you to obtain the needed skills to assist people in their recovery process.

3. Get certified

In Virginia, the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential offers a certification program tailored to individuals who possess personal experience with substance use or mental health challenges.

The certification is issued by the Virginia Certification Board.

To obtain the CPRS credential, applicants must fulfill the next requirements:

Completion of CPRS Training

Prospective candidates are required to complete a 72-hour CPRS training program that has been approved by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

This comprehensive training equips individuals with the essential knowledge and competencies needed for effective peer recovery support.

Passing the IC&RC Examination

As part of the certification process, applicants must pass the IC&RC Examination for Peer Recovery Specialists (PR examination).

This examination evaluates their understanding of key concepts and practices related to peer recovery support.

Peer Recovery Experience

Candidates must have accumulated a minimum of 500 hours of volunteer or paid peer recovery experience.

This practical experience allows individuals to apply their skills and make a positive impact on the recovery journey of others.

Lived Experience with Recovery

Applicants need to have personal experience with recovery.

4. Continued Learning

Keep up to date with the latest industry advancements by going to workshops, and searching for learning opportunities.

Training For Professional Recovery Coaches in Virginia

The training options for these professionals can be seen below.

Ed2Go

This organization offers online training through the Adult Learning Center in Virginia Beach.

The class has 60 hours spanning 6 months, which you can complete at your own pace.

It cost $1,695 and unfortunately, students can’t get any aid because there are no credit hours to accumulate by attending the class.

A Certificate of Completion will be issued at the end of the course.

Strength in Grace

This organization offers more classes than just professional recovery coaches.

Some of them even offer credit hours that can be used for further training if needed.

The program you’re looking for is called “Recovery Coach/Life Coach.”

It has 2 parts:

• Several hours of in-person training
• 16 clinical training hours

Naloxone training is also included in the course.

Salaries for Professional Recovery Coaches in Virginia

The earning potential for recovery coaches in Virginia is influenced by a variety of factors, with experience playing a crucial role in shaping income levels.

The median income for professional recovery coaches in Virginia is around $34,131 per year.

As recovery coaches gain more years of experience, their expertise and reputation grow, leading to increased opportunities for higher earnings.

Another factor that can impact income potential is the specific region within Virginia where a recovery coach operates.

To provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the income potential for recovery coaches in Virginia, we have compiled a detailed table below.

Regional Salary in Virginia

Professional Recovery Coach by State