Description of Counseling Practicum Training

PHILOSOPHY
During the practicum experience, developing counselors begin to formulate their own counseling style, refine their therapeutic and assessment skills, and grow in personal and professional areas.

The training program is designed to support both the skills and abilities the practicum student possesses and to challenge the student's awareness of self and how it impacts the therapeutic process.

The practicum experience is a time for clinical skills to be integrated with conceptual/theoretical knowledge. This involves developing a sense of one's personal style, and blending that style with the counseling process and with the skills of assessment and conceptualization.

TRAINING PROGRAM
The practicum training program provides clinical experience with a student population through Counseling Services. Over the course of the year, practicum students will be expected to develop their skills on both a personal and professional level through individual supervision, discussing clinical cases and professional issues in the training seminar, and working with clients individually and in groups.

GOALS
Practicum students will be developing a sense of the ongoing therapy process, including building rapport with clients, assessing and setting counseling goals, and continuing through the process to termination. By the end of the year, students will be expected to demonstrate:

•	Conceptual skills - being able to generate an overview of client dynamics within the context of therapy and the client's world.
•	Assessment skills - being able to accurately evaluate the client's primary conflict areas, personality dynamics, and background.
•	Treatment plans - utilizing assessment and conceptual skills to formulate appropriate goals and a time frame for counseling.
•	Group skills - develop a beginning level of understanding of group dynamics and develop the ability to identify and record group process.

Personal growth will also be a primary area of emphasis, with students expected to demonstrate:

•	Affective/cognitive components of self in relating to the client and understanding the counseling process.
•	Knowledge of self dynamics and how these impact oneself, the client, and the process.

Professional development is the final area of emphasis. Students will be expected to demonstrate:

•	Ethical awareness of client/therapy issues, including one's own limitations with clients, and how to make appropriate referrals.
•	Articulation of professional knowledge and presentation of case material with one's colleagues.

1. Individual Counseling/Psychotherapy
a. Brief Therapy
b. Longer Term Therapy
c. Weekly Individual Supervision
d. Quarterly Case Presentations

2. Group Counseling/Psychotherapy
a. Process Observer (minimum of one quarter); Co-leading (optional, dependent upon availability)
b. Weekly Supervision with group leaders
c. Final Group Presentation

3. Intake Interviewing and Write-ups

4. Report Writing
a. Record Keeping
b. Treatment Plans
c. Treatment Summaries

5. Training Seminar

6. Case Assignment Team (CAT) Meetings

METHOD
In addition to seeing clients, the practicum student will have one hour of individual supervision and two hours of training seminar per week. At the beginning of the year, and before students begin carrying individual clients, the practicum student will sit in on intake interviews with staff members and participate in an overview of the group training experience. Practicum students will be expected to successfully complete the role of Process Observer during the academic year. The opportunity to work as an Assistant Leader will be provided based on availability, interest, and skill level.

EVALUATION
Practicum students will be required to produce video recordings of their counseling sessions for use by their individual supervisors. Recorded case presentations will be required during the Winter and Spring quarters as part of the seminar case presentation.

Evaluation forms will be completed each quarter by the practicum student and the individual supervisor. Based on the practicum student's final evaluation and participation in the seminar, satisfactory performance will be given a Pass. Informal evaluations in the form of feedback will be an ongoing part of the process both in supervision and in seminar.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Second-year doctoral-level students in UCSB's Counseling Psychology Program (minimum). Two years experience in a counseling role and classes in assessment and group are preferred.

2. A letter describing interest, special skills, and a statement of personal and professional goals for this training experience.

3. Most recent résumé.

For more information, please email Jeana Dressel, Training Coordinator, or Juan Riker, Counseling Psychologist, Counseling Services or call them at 805-893-4411.

Edited 5/23/2008