Training Philosophy
The staff of C&C is committed to the growth and development of new professionals in the fields of counseling, social work and counseling psychology. As such, we strive to ensure that training is provided in an atmosphere of support and collaboration. Endorsing a developmental model for supervision and training, the Practicum Training Program is designed to allow learning to evolve at an optimal pace. Since practicum students bring with them their own unique competencies, our task is to further refine and build upon these existing skills. We believe that the professional practice of psychotherapy is not simply dependent upon the acquisition of skills; rather, it reflects the synthesis of clinical competence, professional ethics and practice, personal integrity and compassion. These ideals guide our training and supervision efforts.

Practicum Experience
Practicum students participate, under supervision, in the following activities:

• • Preliminary orientation and training to introduce students to C&C's mission, programs, operations and procedures.
• • Weekly practicum seminar which offers support and collegial interaction as well as specific training experiences. In these seminars students also have the opportunity to gain experience in case presentation.
• Weekly supervision of clinical work provided by professional staff, including doctoral interns.
• Individual and group counseling, intake and referral.
• Provision of outreach presentations.

Requirements
Counseling and Consultation offers an advanced clinical practicum. A student's readiness for this experience is assessed, in part, based upon the following minimum selection criteria:

• A supervised practicum or related training experience.
• Coursework in ethics.
• Interest in working with a diverse student population.
• Commitment to providing a minimum of the following for the academic year:
  M.C. -- 20 hrs/week
  M.S.W. -- 16 hrs/week
  Ph.D. -- 16 hrs/week
• Commitment to attend the orientation training and the intake training.

C&C training staff believe that self-awareness and the ability to continually reflect on one’s own personal dynamics are critical to the development of effective professional skills. Towards this aim, practicum counselors may be asked to engage in a process of personal exploration with their supervisors and trainers. In this process, supervisors will encourage trainees to discuss and reflect upon how their experiences, personal qualities, and interpersonal dynamics relate to their professional functioning. Supervisors take care to create a training relationship characterized by trust, safety, and respect. Supervisors also take care to differentiate between therapy and supervision. As such, the focus of the discussion is always directly related to the trainees’ professional functioning and development.

Application Process
The following must be submitted:

• Cover Letter
• Application Form
• Resume
• Reference form completed by a recent clinical supervisor

For further information, contact Laura Jesmer, MSW, Practicum Coordinator at (480) 965-6146.