Practicum counselors provide short-term individual counseling to UCD students who primarily present with adjustment disorders, and transitional or developmental problems. 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 generally have the opportunity to co-lead a psychoeducational, support, or psychotherapy group.
Individual supervision is regarded as central to the practicum experience.
Practicum counselors receive one hour of clinical supervision for every three hours of individual counseling. Practicum counselors work with their career staff supervisor throughout the year of training. In order to provide a variety of supervisory experiences, practicum counselors change to a different predoctoral intern supervisor in February. The seminar has a didactic component which provides practicum counselors with relevant information and research on mental health issues. This seminar also includes case presentations by practicum counselors.