Black therapist in a serene office setting, using empathetic communication and active listening with clients

Clinical Practice with Adult Mental Health & Addictions

For BSW degree holders

Offered Fall 2026

Applications open Jan. 15, 2026.

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Gain the expertise to support transitional age youth and adults facing mental health and addiction challenges. Learn from industry leaders, explore cutting-edge care approaches, and develop hands-on skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Prepare to make a meaningful impact with evidence-based, patient-centered social work.

Certificates provide graduate education and formal credentials. If you plan on laddering to our MSW, you'll need this certificate and one in Advanced Social Work Practice.

Schedule

You'll begin your Certificate studies in the Fall semester (September).

The total completion time is eight months.

You'll follow the UCalgary academic calendar.

Fall 2026 Entry Residencies

You’ll be required to attend two on-campus residencies.

Sept. 11 and 12, 2026 (Calgary campus)
Nov. 20 and 21, 2026 (Virtual)
Jan. 22 and 23, 2027 (Calgary campus)
March 19 and 20, 2027 (Virtual)

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day

Note: Residency dates are tentative and subject to change.

Online Learning

This certificate is offered primarily online.

Online courses consist of a mix of real-time classes at set times (weekday evenings, MT time) and learning that can be done on your own schedule.

Technical Requirements

There are technology requirements and recommendations for online learning, including internet connectivity.

Learn more

Clinical Social Work Practice with Mental Health & Addictions

This course provides the base knowledge and skill for advanced clinical social work practice with transitional age youth (18-25 years) and adults (26-65 years) affected by significant mental disorders and/or addiction.

We'll critically examine the clinical social work identity, philosophies of care, frameworks/theories of mental health and mental illness, and the practice implications of legislation, policies and mental health strategies.

This course culminates with a practice-based exploration of the principles, processes and practices of clinical social work from engagement, assessment, formulation, diagnosis and treatment planning, implementation and evaluation.

Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Transitional Age Populations (18-25 yrs)

This course provides comprehensive training related to clinical social work practice with transitional age youth (18-25 years) affected by, or at risk for significant mental disorders and/or addictions.

Through a practice lens, we'll re-examine the theories, policies and practice models most relevant to this population and their diverse and complex developmental contexts.

Through experiential learning that mirrors real-world clinical practice, you'll learn how to engage, assess, and develop foundational skills to complete accurate formulations/diagnoses.

We'll focus on understanding and identifying risk and resilience factors and intervening with those concerns and/or diagnoses typically emerging during this developmental period, including the transition to adult-based health and social resources.

You'll also learn to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based treatment plans regarding best-practices for this population.

Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Diverse Populations and Complex Contexts

Building on the preceding courses, this course will provide an in-depth exploration of clinical social work practice with people (18-64) living in diverse and complex contexts.

We'll explore processes, principles and practices for engagement, assessment, diagnosis and intervention. The aim is to address connections relating to diverse and complex contexts and clinical circumstances.

We'll also study evidence-based models of practise grounded in social work values and empirically-based understandings of mental health and illness (i.e., neurobiological and social determinants).

You'll learn about trauma-informed, person & family centred, anti-oppressive, cultural/diversity-informed and Indigenous approaches to mental health and mental health care.

Mental Health & Addiction Practice with Adult Populations (26-64 years)

This course will provide a comprehensive training related to clinical social work practice with adults (26-64 years) affected by or at risk for significant mental disorders and/or addictions.

Through a practice lens, we'll re-examine the theories, policies and practice models most relevant to this population and their diverse and complex contexts.

In relation to this population, experiential instruction that mirrors and critically reflects on various service settings will teach you how to engage, assess, and develop foundational skills to complete accurate formulations/diagnoses.

Attention will be given to understanding and identifying risk and resilience factors and intervening with those concerns and/or diagnoses most relevant to this population.