The CUA Counseling Center is a theoretically eclectic multi-disciplinary mental health agency with a professional staff of psychologists, clinical social workers, and a consulting psychiatrist. The center is the only mental health agency on campus. Student trainees have an opportunity to address a wider range of issues with graduate and undergraduate student clients than do externs at most university counseling centers. The externship is a nine-month, sixteen hour per week position that involves participation in many phases of the Center's activities. In addition, trainees may have the opportunity to co-lead group therapy, consult in the campus community, and provide workshops.
Externs receive both individual and group supervision, and present clinical work in case conference.
The Counseling Center at CUA also provides a staff development program for its externs. Presenters include in-house staff and local experts who are also practicing clinicians. The Counseling Center attempts to provide training experiences that meet the individual needs and goals of each extern. The overall objective of the extern program is to help each trainee develop a clearer professional identity as well as more advanced clinical skills. Applicants must be advanced students who are at least in their second year of course work.