Advanced Practicum

Our organization prides itself on providing a comfortable space for all students to address their concerns and to feel respected and valued for their differences.  As stated on the SCS home page:

“As a staff we are committed to valuing diversity, honoring students, faculty, and staff from all racial, religious, and ethnic identities, sexualities, gender identities, and disability conditions.”

This accepting and inclusive approach to diversity carries through all activities and services.  Consequently, all advanced practicum trainees are required to read and adhere to the following documents from the American Psychological Association:

• Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
• Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services to Ethnic, Linguistic, and Culturally Diverse Populations
• Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Clients
• Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People

We typically seek doctoral students who have completed at least one prior personal/mental health counseling practicum during masters or doctoral level training. Priority is given to those with more extensive training. Experience with career or academic counseling is valued but not required. Training in SCS's approach to academic and career counseling will be provided. Academic counseling includes helping students address personal concerns, such as perfectionism or anxiety, and how they affect academic goals and pursuits. Career counseling issues at SCS are more generally conceptualized as "Who am I and where am I going?"

Trainees will see a wide range of issues presenting in a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students. Clinical activities include the following:

• Initial Consultations/Walk-In Crisis Assessment
• Individual Personal Counseling
• Individual Career Counseling
• Individual Academic Counseling
• Two Outreach Events

Placements are decided early in February. Students then complete their advanced practicum during the following Fall and Spring semesters. Orientation takes place in late August and attendance is required.

Students may apply for one of two training options:

A)  18 hours per week.

• 9 hours of direct service (6 hours of Individual Counseling and 3 hours of Initial Consultations/Walk-In Crisis Counseling)
• 1 ~ 1.5 hours of Individual Supervision
• 2 hours of didactic Seminar (Fridays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon)
• 5.5 hours for Administrative responsibilities (paperwork, case review, outreach, etc.)

B)  20 hours per week:

• 10 hours of direct service (7 hours of Individual Counseling and 3 hours of Initial Consultations/Walk-In Crisis Counseling)
• 1 ~ 1.5 hours of Individual Supervision
• 2 hours of didactic Seminar (Fridays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon)
• 6.5 hours for Administrative responsibilities (paperwork, case review, outreach, etc.)

Students will also participate in two Outreach programs of their choice during the training year.  Time for Outreach will come out of administrative time.

Supervision is provided by licensed doctoral psychologists.