Clinical Training Activities

On a weekly basis, three hours of individual supervision and one hour of group supervision are provided, all utilizing videotape review, as well as an average of two-three hours of seminars during fall semester and two and half hour per month during spring semester (see below for more detail).

Supervision

The Counseling Center training program employs a multiple supervisory model, which is intended to give each Extern exposure to several distinctive training relationships, approaches, and perspectives. Each supervisor seeks to establish the essential supportive and challenging context in which to help the Extern learn the complexities of clinical practice. Particular attention is given to the dynamics of the client, of the therapist, and of the interactions between them in the treatment relationship, as well as the parallel processes in the supervisory relationship. The supervisor also helps the Extern consider alternative therapeutic approaches and strategies, define and apply his/her theoretical orientation, become more sensitized to the implications of cultural differences and perspectives, better appreciate the importance of professional values and social responsibility, and synthesize the various components of the training experience. By the end of the program, the Extern should have advanced significantly toward defining a sense of professional identity, with an increasingly sophisticated and autonomous range of professional skills.

• Primary Supervision: Provided by a licensed clinical psychologist throughout the duration of the training year, primary supervision provides overall attention to the Extern’s clinical work, including initial consultation, a long-term therapy client, as well as general training experience and professional growth.
• Secondary Supervision: Focused on individual psychotherapy, the Secondary Supervisor will change between the fall and spring semesters in order to increase exposure to a breadth of staff and specialization areas.
• Tertiary Supervision: In-depth analyses of the treatment process of a long-term therapy client, typically provided by a Doctoral Intern.
• Multicultural Therapy Group Supervision: Utilizing a didactic, self-exploratory, and case-conference format, this group space addresses dimensions of identity, power, values, and the meaning of culture in the client, the therapist, and in their interactions. Emphasis is placed on using case material (via role-plays, case presentation with video) on increasing awareness of multicultural factors in the therapeutic dyad and ways to intervene. Over time, externs are encouraged to bring their own consultation questions into the space and participate in discussion and feedback. This is an Extern-only seminar held weekly for the duration of the training year.
• Other supervision for activities such as outreach is arranged as needed.

Seminars

In keeping with the goals of the training program, seminars are designed to explore key theoretical, technical, ethical, multicultural, and diagnostic issues as they relate to the delivery of clinical services in a university setting.

• Professional Issues Seminar: (bi-weekly). A series of presentations and discussions relating to both theoretical and applied aspects of clinical work is led by clinical staff, postdoctoral fellows, and outside experts. Multicultural issues with different populations, empirically supported therapies, integration of theory, ethical and legal dimensions of practice, and future professional directions are examples of the topics presented. This seminar is held bi-weekly throughout the training year; Interns, Postdoctoral Fellows and other staff also attend.
• Assessment Seminar: This seminar focuses on ethics, principles, and practices for clinical evaluation, including the consultation process, diagnostic screening, crisis assessment, mental status examinations, and diversity considerations. Emphasis is given to the development of a focused and comprehensive disposition with treatment options and recommendations, and on presenting relevant information orally as well as in a written psychological report. Integration of assessment-related data and norms and practices for clinical documentation are also addressed. The format includes didactics, use of video demonstration, discussion, intake observation, and assigned readings. A number of staff present on assessment of specialized areas, including eating disorders and substance abuse. This seminar is heavily emphasized during orientation and ends after the first three weeks.
• Outreach and Consultation Seminar (first half of fall semester): This seminar focuses on the philosophy and techniques of outreach and consultation. The seminar centers the application of social justice principles in outreach and consultation to address the mental health needs of underserved students. Seminars focus on critical exploration and discussion, tailored readings, and practice applying outreach and consultation skills. Topics include outreach and prevention models, accessibility and equity issues, responding to difficult situations, needs assessment and program evaluation, and innovative outreach programming. Seminar time is also reserved for special topics chosen by trainees to practice applying outreach and consultation skills.

Other Training Activities

Extern Support Group: Externs have a weekly scheduled support group meeting on Fridays at noon among themselves and without staff involvement. The meetings are encouraged as an opportunity for externs initially to better their relationships with each other and develop mutual support, as well as to subsequently discuss or process the externship experience or other areas of mutual interest.

Initial Consultation Review (ICR) Meeting: All staff and trainees are assigned to one of four ICR teams that occur weekly, where initial consultations are presented, challenges with treatment planning are discussed, and cases are assigned.

Meeting with the Assistant Director of Training: In order to promote regular and open communication with the externs, the Assistant Director for Training will meet with the externs once per month, on Fridays at noon.

Multicultural Staff Meeting: Approximately once per semester, the staff will gather together for an extended multicultural staff meeting. These dates will be circulated in advance, and everyone is expected to reschedule clients and other commitments in order to attend.