Before You Begin

Before You Begin Your Clinical Field Experience

Overview

Before you begin the journey of clinical field experience, here are some things you need to know:

FIeld Placement Handbook

General Requirements for Practicum Placement

1. Completion of 15 semester hours of counseling course requirements with a B or better in:

  • Counseling Theories
  • Counseling Techniques
  • Ethics
  • Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling
  • Group Counseling (pre- or co-requisite)
  • **Introduction to Play Therapy (pre- or co-requisite)

**Note: Introduction to Play Therapy is required only for individuals working with children aged 10 or younger**

2. Display of appropriate disposition(s) as defined by the contract you signed upon entering the Counseling Program.

3. Possession of active liability insurance

General Requirements for Internship Placement

1. Completion of the following counseling courses:

  • Practicum
  • Advanced Techniques (pre- or co-requisite)
  • Introduction to Play Therapy (only for those working with children 10 years of age or younger)

2. Display of appropriate disposition(s) as defined by the contract you signed upon entering the Counseling Program.

3. Possession of active liability insurance

Choosing a Practicum or Internship Site

A practicum or internship experience that prepares you to work with diverse clients allows you to fit into a larger range of positions, quite possibly the one you desire in the future. You can strive to experience opportunities that will provide exposure to a variety of client populations and settings, (e.g., in geriatric counseling, play therapy, substance abuse counseling, higher education, hospice care, etc.), through volunteer work or through some other aspect of your practicum or internship.

What to Look for as a Student

Look for a site that offers a balance of experiential and didactic opportunities

A clinical site can provide you with a variety of experiential and didactic learning opportunities, such as welcoming you as a participant in a case staffing or by offering you valuable in-service training.

Look for a site that welcomes you as a valuable team member

Since much of what you gain from a clinical placement comes from your relationship with others, seek placements where you are welcomed and viewed as an important contributor.

Look for a qualified supervisor

The site supervisor’s willingness to supervise you represents an investment of time and resources and the responsibility to ensure that you practice counseling in a therapeutic, legal, and ethical manner. Your weekly supervisory meetings are key to your professional development.

Below are some suggested questions to consider asking a supervisor in an interview:

  • What is the supervisor’s approach to counseling and supervision?
  • How much direction will she/he be able to provide?
  • How does he/she provide feedback?
  • Will this site provide opportunities to develop general counseling skills with diverse clients?
  • Will there be adequate opportunity for direct student/client contact, group facilitation, as well as any associated duties?

What the Clinical Site Looks for

When you choose a practicum or internship site, you are not the only one who gets to choose

The site and the program also have a say related to this match. Clinical sites look for students with strong communication skills. If utilized, your resume, cover letter, and interview convey early and important evidence of your communication skills. Take time to present yourself in a professional manner.

Practicum and internship sites look for evidence that a student is responsible and has a positive work ethic

Your work and academic histories are evidence of your willingness to take personal responsibility for your choices and your willingness to follow through.

Clinical sites look for students that are flexible and open to new challenges

One way to express flexibility and openness is to ask for challenging assignments (with appropriate supervision!). A caveat here: take care to balance your needs with those of the prospective site.

Remember: be a part of the team, participate appropriately but keep in mind you are an “intern” not an employee.

A few questions to consider before accepting the practicum or internship position:

  • What hours will I work?
  • When will I begin seeing clients?
  • What are the procedures for ensuring client safety?
  • What is expected of me when I am ill?
  • What roles are practicum and internship students expected to fill?

Student Expectations

Students are expected to meet the following expectations during practicum or internship:

  1. Complete and submit all required documentation and be registered for the practicum (CSLG 7430) or internship (CSLG 7435/7436)
  2. Complete the duties assigned to them at the practicum or internship site
  3. Know and meet practicum and internship expectations, guidelines, and procedures as outlined in the Clinical Handbook
  4. Ensure that the practicum and internship documentation is accurate, current, and complete
  5. Meet with the site supervisor weekly for an average of one (1) hour of individual supervision
  6. Practicum students will meet for 1 hour of individual supervision per week with the university supervisor and participate in a minimum of 1.5 hours of group supervision per week
  7. Internship students will participate in group supervision for a minimum of 3 hours per week, on a regular schedule throughout the internship
  8. Provide either audio or video taped counseling sessions for review in supervision sessions
  9. Know and meet the specific requirements for certification and licensure they wish to pursue
  10. Accept responsibility for knowing and understanding that failure to act within these guidelines may result in disciplinary action

Requirements During Practicum or Internship Experience

Documentation

Interns are responsible for seeing that all required forms, evaluations, and reports are submitted to the practicum or internship course instructor. Failure to meet these requirements can result in lowering your grade.

1. Log of Hours

Each student will complete an on-going log of accumulated hours attained through the practicum or internship experience. The log sheet requires students to provide a detailed list of hours accumulated in various activities during the clinical experience. All other hours can include duties appropriate to the clinical setting or supervision (either on-site or university) as listed on the log sheets.

2. Weekly/Bi-weekly Reflection

Each week (or Bi-weekly per the instructor) practicum or internship students will submit a reflection of their thoughts, feelings, activities, and experiences for the preceding week(s) at their site. The reflection format also allows students to record their accumulated hours.

3. Evaluation Process and Evaluation Forms

A mid-semester self-evaluation will be conducted by the student. A formal evaluation from the site supervisor will be conducted at the end of the semester. During the final week of the internship experience (the end of each semester), students will complete an evaluation of their internship site and an evaluation of their internship site supervisor.

Frequently Asked Questions