What degree would be best for becoming a counselor for grief, addiction, abuse, etc.?

Actually, Gil from Texas gave you some good advice, especially in the area of Licensed Professional Counseling (LPC Certification). I have been a counselor in schools and then in private practice. My degree was in Educational Psychology (Bachelors) and then a Masters in Counseling Education. I did also pursue my certification as an LPC, but much of this is now combined in college coursework. It is good advice to connect with agencies or organizations that treat for addictions or other specialties in which you are interested. You can do this during your internship so you can see how this works for you. I have given many presentations on all of the various career paths one can take with a degree in counseling. I feel it is a very good base.

Gil also mentions the MSW, which is similar to the LPC certification, and many social workers do similar work in organizations. I am more familiar with the counseling route, but in the state of Texas where I also live, social workers do much the same work. The social work degree tends to focus more on sociology than on psychology, but both degrees include coursework in each. It is always best to speak with someone with experience and to get the particulars from local colleges or universities so you will pursue the degree that will get you headed in the most direct line for your specific goal. Counselors are helpers by nature, and they will be happy to share information with those interested.

There are several possibilities, but you need at least a master's degree to be able to do counseling. You'll need to go to a college or university that offers courses that will allow you to become an LPC, which is a licensed professional counselor. This course of study requires you to complete a couple of practicums and a year-long internship. After that you'll take an exam, and if you pass it you'll get your license. Now, this is in Texas, where I live, so other states and countries may have different requirements. And you'll have to obtain liability insurance before you practice, but that's not hard to do and is not expensive. With an LPC you can pretty much practice any type of counseling you want. If you have a specific area in mind you can take electives in that specialty when you're working on your master's, and when you select an internship site you might want to work in an agency or organization that deals with addiction, etc. For example, you could work with a veterans' hospital that treats people with PTSD.

Another possibility is obtaining an MSW, which is a master's in social work. Even with an MSW, however, you'll need to get certification. The designation is - I believe - ACSW, which is the American Council on Social Work, which is the equivalent of an LPC for social workers. And then some colleges and universities offer master's in different areas such as marriage and family counseling. Lots of possibility. You just have to determine what area you want to go in specifically and take it from there. I'd recommend you speak to someone who is already in a field you might be interested in or visit a nearby school that offers degrees in counseling and talk to someone there. They are always glad to help.