Philosophy of Training Graduate trainees are an integral part of the counseling center operation and are encouraged to actively participate in different aspects of the center's functioning, as well as assuming a major role in the delivery of services. They are expected and trained to be knowledgeable and skilled about the many aspects of a university counseling center, as well as refine and further their ability to function as competent, effective, and responsible therapists. The Counseling Center staff regard training and supervision as an integral part of their mission. These training experiences are designed to ensure that graduate trainees are receiving appropriate guidance and instruction, as well as preventing them from being overburdened with direct service activities. The training program is designed to provide graduate trainees with various opportunities to facilitate their growth.
Trainees meet regularly with supervisors to facilitate growth and development.
This orientation period also provides trainees with an opportunity to become acquainted with each other, as well as the staff, and become properly acclimated to the center before they begin to see clients. Interns and graduate assistants attend training seminars, held one to two times a week. In addition to seminars, each semester two different professional staff members conduct case presentations for the trainees. Staffing is a weekly meeting where professional staff and all graduate trainees review new clients. Graduate trainees who have conducted intakes with clients are expected to provide an overview of the case description as well as offer input into client assignment.