Counseling Center

The Counseling Center application and selection process occurs each year during the Fall semester; please note, that completing an application does not guarantee selection.

Here's how the application process works. See below for specific details.

1. Attend an info night on either September 26 or 30. 
2. Fill out the application.
3. Ask two people to complete recommendation forms.
4. Round 1 interviews will be in a group setting. You will hear more about the program and then be asked to work through various scenarios with other applicants. The dress code for this is business casual.
5. Round 2 interviews are one-on-one interviews. Similar to a job interview, you will be asked questions about yourself, why you want to be a part of the program, and your goals, The dress code for this is also business casual. 

To learn more about the CCP program and the application process please join us for the following information nights:

September 26 from 6-7 p.m. @ the Psych Building Room 142

OR

September 30 from 6:00-7:00 PM via Zoom

Meeting ID: 870 8751 9988         Password: CCP

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/87087519988?pwd=T1ZMalBuVmRVMHRsOStvaFE3Vm1YZz09

 Our application is officially open! Submissions are due no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, October 14.

You'll also need to have two completed recommendation forms. These can be submitted at https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/253603510 . Recommendation forms are due no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16. Applicants should provide each reference with this link and ask them to complete it by the deadline.

We suggested that you consider a reference familiar with your academic work (faculty member, teaching assistant, etc.) and one familiar with any professional, job, or extracurricular involvement. Recommendations from peers or family members will not be accepted. 

Please note, that we review the application materials of each student who applies; select students will then be invited to participate in an interview process, including a group interview and individual interview. Selected students will begin training in the Spring Semester. Because of the interactive nature of the program, a student's status to continue in the program will be determined based on their performance and behaviors in the first course.

If you have questions, please contact the program coordinator, Dr. Rebecca Schlesinger, Clinical Specialist in Education.  at schlesi2@illinois.edu.

The Counseling Center Paraprofessional Program combines on-going training and supervision with service-learning projects during the second and third semesters of the involvement. Paraprofessional help provide a variety of Outreach & Prevention Services as well as support a variety of Counseling Center operations. Here are a few examples of Paraprofessional activities & involvement opportunities. 

Tuesday @ 7 Workshops

Since 1979, The Tuesday @ 7 Workshops are presented by Counseling Center Paraprofessionals in order to provide information for the general student population. The topics cover a variety of topics including interpersonal, mental health, wellness, and academic success. Workshops are facilitated every Tuesday night at 7 pm, during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Workshops on Request

CCPs present single session workshops to student groups, classes, and living units. These Workshops on Request usually last one to two hours and cover topics such as: Time Management, Stress Management, Study Skills, Procrastination, Self-Confidence, Test Anxiety, Communication in Relationships, etc.

Counseling Center Outreach & Prevention Services

• Alcohol and Other Drug Outreach/Prevention
• Eating Disorders and Disturbances 
• Integrative Health & Wellness
• Technology-Based & Media Outreach
• Outreach & Prevention Advisory
• Suicide Prevention 
• Trauma Outreach & Prevention Team

CCPs may work on various teams within the Counseling Center depending on agency needs. Additionally, CCPs help support Counseling Center and Program operations, including through Assessment & Evaluation, CCP Alumni Relations, CCP Recruitment, and CCP Steering Committee. 

Cultural Diversity Outreach Opportunities

The Counseling Center provides a variety of outreach and prevention support to specific student populations, working closely with the culture houses, resource centers, and academic programs. CCPs are involved with activities that promote identity exploration and cultural understanding. Some examples include:

• Asian Pacific Roots
• Sankofa-Black Student Outreach
• International Student Outreach
• Latinx Student Outreach
• Queers & Allies Outreach

Activities might include presenting workshops on academic issues, wellness or mental healthissues, and special topics relevant to culturally diverse students; meeting with the coordinator; and attending events at the cultural houses. Regardless of team involvement, all CCPs gain awareness, experience, and cultural competencies skills to provide inclusive and culturally responsive outreach programming. 

Self-Initiated Projects

These are independent projects that the CCPs choose and create. SIP’s must be relevant to the Counseling Center Mission and result in a tangible product or service. They may also be individual projects that fit with one of their other project/service assignments. Some past projects have included developing a brochure for out-of-state transfer students; facilitating a coming out support group for LGBTQIA+ students; developing a support group for LGBTQIA+ students of color; preparing a multi-disciplinary show focused on AIDS  to promote awareness and raise money; work with “Locks for Love” to donate hair to cancer victims; create a workshop for students with hidden disabilities and chronic pain; develop a workshop on religious diversity on campus; etc.

Potential and Past Involvement

Depending on the needs of the Counseling Center, Paraprofessionals have also been involved in the Dennis H. May Conference on Diversity Issues and the Role of Counseling Centers, Counseling Center Advisory Committee, and Student Affairs or campus-wide collaborative initiatives. 

Rebecca Schlesinger, Ph.D. - Clinical Specialist in Education / Program Coordinator

Dr. Schlesinger (she, they) assumed the program coordinator responsibilities in January 2022 with the title Clinical Specialist in Education-Paraprofessional Program. Dr. Schlesinger has a wealth of experience as a counseling psychologist, including extensive outreach and prevention program creation and facilitation; from August 2018 to January 2022, they served as a Clinical Counselor at the Illinois Counseling Center and fulfilled many roles, including multiple years on the Outreach and Prevention Services Planning Committee. Dr. Schlesinger also brings an array of college teaching experience and is an alumna of the Paraprofessional Program.

David Rivas, Ph.D. - CCP Program Co-Instructor

David Rivas (he, him, el) has been a Clinical Counselor at the Illinois Counseling Center since 2024 and was a doctoral intern during 2023-2024. He has previous teaching experience and has worked with outreach and prevention efforts targeting students and additional communities. At the Counseling Center, he has been involved with the CCP Program as a mentor and as a steering committee staff member. 

The CCP Program consists of a three semester sequence:

• The first semester (spring) begins with PSYCH 496 (four credit hours). In this class, students will develop basic helping and facilitation skills, public speaking, and cultural competence along with other professional development to prepare to provide outreach and prevention services.
• The second semester (fall of the subsequent year), continues with PSYCH 340 (four credit hours), where CCPs will apply what they learned in the first course. Under the supervision of Counseling Center staff, they participate in a variety of service related activities. These activities include:
  • Providing workshops on topics related to student life including academics, relationships, stress management, and mental health.
  • Facilitating discussion groups focusing on important social or mental health issues.
  • Engaging in and leading various outreach and prevention initiatives through the Counseling Center.
• In the third semester, they continue to build upon projects and activities from the previous semester as well as undertake new ones.

Beyond the third semester:

Students who complete the program and still have a year of undergrad left can apply to be a Paid CCP for a fourth and fifth semester. These CCPs continue to develop their helping skills and will continue to provide outreach and prevention services for the Counseling Center as well as gain leadership opportunities within the CCP Program.

Our recruitment process for each class happens in the FALL semester only. Application materials will be available on this website under "Apply to be a CCP."