The goal of the practicum is to assist emerging therapists in the development of a broad range of skills utilized in college mental health, which are easily transferable to a variety of clinical settings.
Practicum students will be supported through the provision of supervision and other training experiences through a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural humility.
Clinical training experiences
Individual therapy
CCPS will offer trainees the opportunity to carry a small caseload of students and to work within a brief treatment model providing therapy to Wash U’s diverse student body. Clinical presenting issues cover a wide range of psychological symptoms, severity, and topic areas:
| Identity development | |
| Relational concerns | |
| Career and academic stress |
Practicum students will hone their clinical skills through learning to assess and work with their clients’ respective needs and goals.
Group therapy
CCPS has a strong commitment to the group modality of therapy. Therefore, practicum trainees who have completed graduate coursework in group psychotherapy may receive advanced training in this area, dependent upon the number of groups and available supervisors. Practicum trainees may serve as either group process observers or co-facilitators, depending on developmental level.
Outreach
Practicum trainees will be encouraged to become involved in multiple aspects of outreach programming. Creativity and new ideas are welcomed!
Consultation
Practicum trainees will be provided with training and support in the area of professional consultation. Opportunities are presented throughout the year to consult with members of the campus community. Professional consultation may occur through various contexts, including in-person, telephone, or email communication. Typical areas of consultation include:
| Facilitating connection with additional services for students (e.g., academic, medical) | |
| Helping to support students in response to their concerns about a peer |
Professional development
Supervision
Each practicum trainee will receive at least one hour of individual supervision weekly and one hour of group supervision (dependent on availability). Supervision is competency-based and focused on the developmental growth and goals of the supervisee. Supervision aims to enhance multiple aspects of clinical intervention (e.g., conceptualization, skill development and treatment planning), as well as supporting the professional development of practicum students. Supervisors review recorded clinical sessions as well as provide formative and summative evaluations. CCPS staff providing supervision are generalist therapists who operate from a variety of theoretical orientations.
Professional Development Seminar
Practicum participants MAY have the opportunity to participate in the CCPS Staff Professional Development Seminar over the course of the training experience. This will be dependent on the trainee’s availability, purpose of the particular seminar, and staff needs.
Case conference
Practicum trainees may have the opportunity to participate in case conferences throughout the course of the training experience.
Practicum training seminars
Practicum trainees participate in orientation training seminars that cover clinical topics including risk assessment, initial consultation, and interventions. Practicum trainees are encouraged to offer ideas and desired topic areas for additional training seminars throughout the course of the training year.
Who should apply
Applicants may be candidates for the MEd, MA, MSW, EdD, PsyD, or PhD in programs of counseling or clinical psychology, counseling, or social work. Qualified applicants will have completed at least one prior practicum experience, allowing them to develop their therapeutic style and related skills. Ideally, students will have completed versions of the following courses: Clinical Intervention and Techniques, Theories of Counseling, and Ethics. Practicum students are required to dedicate approximately 20 hours per week to the training experience at CCPS and practicum will start in early August.
Application procedures
Practicum will begin in early-August and will include an orientation period. Applications will be accepted beginning the last week of January and applications will continue to be accepted until positions are filled. There is no deadline for applications; however, interviews will be conducted as applications are submitted and offers will be made on a rolling basis so students are encouraged to submit early. Applicants will be notified once their application is complete and notified if they are selected for an interview. The following materials are required to apply:
| A cover letter detailing your interest in counseling and particularly your interest in CCPS’s practicum training experience. | |
| A curriculum vitae that includes relevant educational, work, and volunteer experience as well as a list of graduate courses taken. | |
| The names and contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic and counseling experience and are who are willing to serve as a reference for you. | |
| A current transcript indicating graduate courses taken thus far. |