Graduate Practicum Experience

Clinical Experiences

Individual and Couples Counseling (couples opportunities less frequent)

  • The opportunity to gain experience in brief, intermediate, and long-term counseling with undergraduate and graduate students presenting with a broad range of presenting concerns.
  • A diverse caseload in terms of severity of concerns, client populations, and clinical issues.

Group Therapy Process Observation (optional and dependent on availability)

  • The opportunity to monitor the dynamics of a therapy group.
  • Participate as part of the group treatment team with the staff facilitators.
  • Includes 0.5 hours of supervision with one of the staff facilitators each week.

Initial Appointments

  • Work under the developmental training model with the trainee’s clinical supervisor to learn the Center’s initial appointment system.

Supervision Experiences

Individual Supervision

  • One and a half hours per week of intensive, individual supervision focusing on individual caseloads.
  • Two different individual supervisors over the academic year, to allow practicum students the opportunity and the exposure to different theoretical orientations and styles; supervised by a staff member during the fall semester and a pre-doctoral intern during the spring semester.
  • Supervisory assignments are derived from practicum student input and the supervisor’s theoretical orientation; final matches are determined by the Assistant Director of Training.

Group Supervision

  • Two hours per week of group supervision, led by the Assistant Director of Training; the group consists of practicum students and MSW social work intern. 
  • Focus on developing conceptual and intervention skills through case presentations and case consultation.
  • Focus on therapist cultural awareness, professional and ethical development.

Additional Experiences

Practicum Special Topics Seminar

  • One hour per week didactic seminar led by the Practicum Special Topics Supervisor.

Outreach (recommended)

  • The Center provides a wide range of programming on campus.
  • Trainees are encouraged to participate in outreach programming in the area of their choice by teaming up with clinicians who work in that area of specialization.

Outreach Teams (optional)

  • Depending on trainee interest and schedule, practicum students may attend outreach team meetings in the Center.