Practicum Program Description

The Practicum Program is designed for doctoral students in their third year or beyond of training. Students must have at least one prior clinical practicum placement. The program provides supervised experience and training primarily in short-term individual counseling. Other supervised opportunities include: conducting intake assessments; providing outreach programs; and possibly co-leading a psychoeducational group. Practicum students receive two hours of individual supervision and attend a weekly training seminar, as well as participate in a multi-disciplinary staff case consultation group. Digital taping equipment is available, as practicum counselors are required to videotape each counseling session. This is a non-paid practicum and it requires an academic year commitment beginning in September and ending by the third week of June (after final exam week).

Practicum Program Training Activities

Direct Service - Practicum counselors provide short-term individual counseling to UCD students who present with a wide range of presenting concerns including adjustment disorders, mood disorders, family of origin issues, developmental issues and more. Practicum may work with one client on a long-term basis. All clients are assigned to practicum counselors by the Practicum Coordinator. After receiving extensive intake and crisis intervention training, practicum counselors begin to conduct their own intakes. In addition, practicum counselors are required to do three outreach presentations (one per quarter) and may have an opportunity to co-lead a psychoeducational group.

Supervision - Individual supervision is regarded as central to the practicum experience. Practicum counselors receive one hour of clinical supervision for every four hours of individual counseling. Practicum counselors are assigned to two supervisors: one career staff member and one predoctoral intern. In order to provide a variety of supervisory experiences, practicum counselors switch their predoctoral intern supervisor in February. Supervision sessions with the predoctoral intern supervisors will be videotaped. The functions of these supervisory relationships include: monitoring client welfare; enhancing practicum counselor skills; enhancing multicultural competence, promoting personal and professional growth; and evaluating the practicum counselor's professional development on a continuous basis. Practicum counselors will also attend a weekly one-hour multidisciplinary staff case consultation group with predoctoral interns, postdoctoral fellows, psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed social workers, and psychiatrists.

Training Seminar - This training experience is facilitated by the Practicum Coordinator and a predoctoral intern. The seminar has a didactic component which provides practicum counselors with relevant information and research on mental health issues (e.g., crisis intervention, cultural competence, career counseling and assessment, ethics). This seminar also includes 3 case presentations by each practicum counselor throughout the year. Peer supervision, feedback, and collaboration are encouraged throughout the program and Center.

Mid-Year Multicultural Retreat – This is a one-day multicultural retreat that will take place at approximately the mid-year point. This training experience is facilitated by the Practicum Coordinator and a predoctoral intern. Although enhancement of multicultural awareness, skills, and knowledge will be integrated and emphasized throughout the year, this retreat will provide practicum counselors an opportunity to explore and review their intersecting identities as counselors and to develop personal and professional goals in their pursuit of multicultural competence.

Professional Development – Practicum counselors have the opportunity to attend approximately three Continuing Education Unit (CEU) presentations throughout the year. Practicum counselors are also invited to attend the annual Northern California Counseling Center Training Conference that takes place in the fall.

Practicum Counselor's Contract

16-20 hours/week (minimum)

Schedules for clinical practicum counselors are developed in consultation with the Practicum Coordinator at the start of the year.

Sample Practicum Training Contract:

Practicum Application

Application Deadline: February 6th, 2008 (or until positions are filled)

Practicum Application Form: Microsoft Word (DOC) Adobe Acrobat (PDF)

Verification of Practicum Form: Microsoft Word (DOC) Adobe Acrobat (PDF)

Application Certification Form: Microsoft Word (DOC) Adobe Acrobat (PDF)

Getting More Information

For more information, please contact:

Kristee Haggins, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Training

Phone: (530) 752-0871

Email: klhaggins@ucdavis.edu