Training in Counseling Practice

The intention of the counseling psychology program is to train students to become skilled scientist-practitioners capable of effectively integrating psychological theory and research into their practice of counseling. Training in counseling practice consists of concurrent participation in didactic and applied work in a sequence that emphasizes the beginning counselor's developing skills.

First year students participate in didactic courses to develop their counseling skills, including Counseling History and Theories, Interviewing and Interventions in Counseling, and Assessment in Counseling. The latter two courses include a laboratory component, where students practice the skills they are learning on volunteer undergraduate analog clients, and receive videotape supervision to develop their counseling skills.

Second year students complete the Practicum.

Between the third year and applying for internship, students continue to grow in counseling and supervision skills by completing a variety of Advanced Practica.

The Internship. which follows the practica, provides additional opportunities for working with a variety of clients on a wide range of client concerns.

Personal Counseling for Students:

The Counseling Psychology Program is supportive of students receiving psychotherapy as a means of enhancing their personal growth as individuals and as counselors, to cope with life stressors, and to resolve problems that may interfere with their performance.

To avoid possible dual relationships, students are encouraged to choose as their personal counselor someone who is unlikely to be a future supervisor or instructor, and if possible to choose services in a setting where they are unlikely to apply for practica or internship in the future. Seeing a psychologist in private practice may be a good option, depending on the student's insurance coverage. Students covered under the University's Graduate Assistant Insurance Plan have access to a wide variety of mental health providers and should check with prospective counselors to see if their services are covered under the plan.

Students who need a confidential referral to a psychologist for personal counseling should also feel free to ask any of the Counseling Program faculty; the faculty are all supportive of students seeking psychotherapy, and we maintain a list of possible providers.