Practicum Program
University of San Diego
Counseling Center
Practicum Program
Practicum Program Description
The University of San Diego Counseling Center's primary focus is the provision of educational, developmental, preventative, consultative and clinical services to students in order to promote their academic success and well-rounded development. The Center works toward this end as a team of professionals using a variety of approaches, styles, methods and programs designed to empower students to accomplish their developmental tasks in a positive learning environment. We recognize that our ability to be responsive to the needs of the University community and the community at large is based on a continuous commitment to organizational integrity, professional development and personal growth. Services provided to students include walk-in sessions, intake/assessment, individual, couples, group counseling, testing/assessment, outreach/consultation, academic counseling, and referrals as needed to the community.
The University of San Diego has approximately 7,200 students, 5,000 of whom are undergraduates. Majors are offered within colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education. In addition, graduate degrees are offered in business, law, nursing, marriage and family therapy, and counseling.
Practicum Program Training Activities
Direct Service
Practicum counselors provide short-term individual counseling to USD students who present with a wide range of presenting concerns including adjustment disorders, mood disorders, relationship concerns, stress and anxiety concerns, developmental issues, brief alcohol and drug interventions, and more. Practicum counselors may work with one client on a long-term basis. After receiving extensive intake and crisis intervention training, practicum counselors begin to conduct their own intakes with clients. Outreach opportunities are available to practicum counselors; these may include providing workshops co-led by a USDCC staff member or intern. Practicum counselors are not required to provide outreach services, though they are able to do so if they are interested.
Supervision
Practicum counselors receive two to three hours of supervision per week and are assigned to two supervisors. Supervisors include one licensed clinical staff and one pre-doctoral intern. Practicum counselors will have the opportunity to change one of their supervisors at mid-year so as to receive a variety of supervisory training. Practicum counselors will also attend a weekly 1.5-2 hour consultation group which consists of predoctoral interns and staff clinicians, and a one hour peer consultation group.
Professional Development & Consultation Opportunities
Practicum counselors have the opportunity to attend any in-services or Continuing Education seminars that are offered by the USDCC. In-services are offered once per month for the academic year and are two hours in length.
The USD Counseling Center works collaboratively with other Wellness Division units on campus, as well as provides consultation to various groups on campus. Trainees have the opportunity to interact with physicians from the USD Student Health Center, counselors from the Health & Wellness Promotion and counselors from Disability Services office for case coordination or consultation. Brief alcohol and drug interventions will be provided through the Health & Wellness Promotion Office. In addition, trainees will also have the opportunity to interact with University administrators, faculty, staff and students in general.
Practicum Counselors Contract
The practicum program will consist of 22 hours per week not including any trainings that may be offered on occasion for a 10 month period. Supervision includes two hours per week consisting of individual supervision with licensed staff who may be licensed less than 3 years and will include a predoctoral intern. Additionally, we require practicum counselors to see 10-11 clients per week. The practicum counselor is expected to average 22 hours per week for 10 months (44 weeks) in order to obtain 800 required hours by the end of the practicum year. We expect the practicum year to begin mid-August and end mid-June.
Activity |
Number of Hours Per Week |
Videotaped Individual Counseling (will average 6-9 due to no shows and cancellations) |
10-11 |
Individual Supervision: |
|
- Licensed Ph.D. |
1-2 |
- Other (APA Predoctoral Intern) |
1 |
Peer Group Supervision |
1 |
Team Meetings |
1 |
Case Conferences/Consultation Group |
2-3 |
Seminars, Workshops, etc. |
Varies, no minimum |
Paperwork/Administration Time |
6-8 |
Practicum Program Application Process
The Practicum Program is designed for doctoral students in Counseling or Clinical Psychology in their 2nd year or beyond of training. The program does not offer a stipend, but will provide parking passes for practicum counselors which totals approximately $65 per semester. Interested applicants are asked to submit a USD Practicum Application, letter of interest, current resume or vita, 2 letters of recommendation (1 clinical, if applicable), and transcripts (undergraduate and graduate—unofficial acceptable) by the deadline. Please look on the USDCC website to obtain applications and forms at www.sandiego.edu/usdcc/practicumprogram
Please send all application materials to:
Adriana B. Molina, Ph.D.
University of San Diego, Counseling Center
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
For more information: (619) 260-4655, molina@sandiego.edu