Counseling Center Practicum Program
2010 - 2011
Practicum Program Description
The practicum program provides supervised training and experience in individual counseling. Practicum students counsel clients who primarily present with adjustment disorders, affective disorders, relationship problems, and/or transitional and developmental problems. Practicum students should expect that the bulk, or perhaps all, of their experience will be in individual therapy.
Practicum counselors receive one hour of individual supervision, one and a half hours of group supervision, and one hour of training weekly. During the first two weeks of the placement, Practicum Counselors participate in an extensive two-week orientation. During this orientation, students are given an overview of the agency policies and procedures and a review of ethical/legal issues and responsibilities. Didactic instruction in the areas of crisis intervention and short-term psychotherapy is also provided during the orientation period.
Practicum Counselors are matched with senior staff members, who supervise their work during the first half of the placement. During the second half of the practicum placement, the Practicum Counselors are supervised by Pre-Doctoral Psychology Interns, who in turn are supervised by a licensed psychologist. Digital recording of all client sessions is required, and review of the recorded material is an important part of supervision. This confidential information is to be viewed within our center only.
This 2009-2010 practicum involves an 11-month commitment beginning Monday, October 4, 2010 through Friday, August 19, 2011. The UW Counseling Center Practicum Program is approximately a 14 to 16 hour per week program, 10 to 12 weeks per quarter, for four quarters.
Time Utilization for an Average Week for Practicum Students
|
Activity
|
Number of Hours Per Week*
|
|
Direct Service (Individual therapy)
|
3-6
|
|
Other Client Contact**
|
2
|
|
Individual Supervision
|
1
|
|
Group Supervision
|
1.5
|
|
All Staff Case Consultation
|
1
|
|
Supervision Preparation
|
1
|
|
Didactic Training
|
1
|
|
Case management
|
3
|
|
TOTAL
|
13.5-16.5
|
*These numbers are averages and are subject to change.
**These hours may involve participation at differing levels in service provision to clients in a variety of modalities.
Requirements of Practicum Students for 2010 - 2011
- Presence at the Center on Mondays and Tuesdays (in order to attend Case Consultation, Staff Meeting, Practicum Group Supervision and participate in other group meetings).
- An understanding that practicum trainees will not be considered as candidates for Pre-Doctoral Internship positions at the University of Washington Counseling Center for the year immediately following the practicum.
- Previous experience with direct mental health service delivery will be a significant factor in trainee selection, though no specific amount or type of experience will be required.
Facilities
Each practicum student office contains digital recording equipment and playback access, a computer with Internet and University of Washington library database access, and a printer. Typically, each student has her or his own office. However, shared office arrangements are made when schedules and space conflicts occur.
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