About Our Academy

The Pacific Academy of the Healing Arts (PAHA) is an accredited provider of professional addictions training for those seeking to qualify for the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor/CSAC (aka Certified Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselor/CADC) international credential, and for professionals needing continuing education credits or desiring to expand their knowledge of the latest substance use counseling practices.

The Academy was founded in 2005 as Hawai’i Academy of the Healing Arts by Elizabeth Bush, MSN, APRN, CARN-AP, CSAC, CCDP-D, and Ms. Bush continues to serve as director and instructor.

The Academy’s course catalog includes the required classes to qualify you to earn the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC/CADC) credential from the State of Hawai’i and many other locales, as well as a variety of courses that provide the skills and knowledge to support your success in your chosen career.

The Academy delivers  training via our on-line learning site, and in-person classes that are scheduled on demand  as students complete the online prerequisites. Our face-to-face classes are provided on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Our courses have been approved for initial CASC/CADC certification and recertification by NAADAC (National Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors ) and allow learners to use credits nationwide and recertify in a number of mental helath disciplines beyond the CSAC/CADC credential.

The Hawaii Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD) has recently approved live-streaming classes in place of face-to-face courses due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

In October, 2020, PAHA began offering live-streaming online courses to help meet the demand for face-to-face courses.

See the 2020-2021 Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Live-Streaming Class Schedule here.

 

Our Goals:

1. To promote excellence in clinical practice in addictions and psychiatric/mental health treatment in the Pacific islands.

2. To provide community-based state-of the-art professional education for Pacific island addiction and mental health professionals.

3. To educate the public and influence public policy regarding addictive and mental health disorders.

Please refer to individual course descriptions for more specific details of each module’s goals and objectives, and content.

Our Requirements:

Candidates must meet the following requirements to enroll in the Pacific Academy of the Healing Arts:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English language communication skills
  • Demonstrate fundamental computer literacy skills
  • Have a high school diploma, or equivalent
  • Possess the emotional maturity necessary to provide culturally competent, respectful counseling services to chemically dependent individuals and their families

Please be aware that each state has its own requirements for certification. Please contact us directly for a PAHA application.

Our Courses:

All courses directly relate to the five domains of assessment, counseling, case management, client education, and professional responsibility, with a specific substance abuse focus.

Courses provided by PAHA are based upon scientific, best practice standards that include:

  • A Biopsychosocial Model
  • A Developmental Model of Recovery;
  • A Relapse Prevention & Early Intervention Model; and
  • An Integrated Biological, Cognitive, Affective, Behavioral, Social, and Spiritual Therapy Model

Our Policies:

PAHA Confidentiality Policy

PAHA Grievance Policy

PAHA Hold Harmless Policy

PAHA Substance Abuse Policy