Counseling Center

Training Activities

Clinical Training Activities

Supervision (approximately four to six hours per week). Each intern meets individually two hours per week throughout the year with a Primary Supervisor, who has responsibility for the intern's overall experience, including the majority of his or her psychotherapy cases and general professional development. A second training staff member provides another hour of weekly individual supervision as Secondary Supervisor for both intakes and a single case of particular concern, to focus in greater depth on the therapeutic dynamics, including transference, counter-transference and parallel processes as they develop over the course of treatment. Group therapy is supervised by a third member of the training staff, who also generally co-leads the treatment group with the intern. Single case supervision by the intern for an extern is supervised in a group format in the Supervision Seminar by a member of the training staff. Weekly supervision of the intern's rotation activities is also provided by a designated staff member.

Primary, Secondary and Group Supervisors are assigned by the Training Director during orientation, based on the interests and preferences of the trainees and the recommendations of the Training Committee, with the option of re-assignment by the Training Director to another supervisor later in the year when warranted. While we attempt to honor trainees' preferences, we are not able to guarantee that you will be assigned to your top choice as we try to also balance clinical needs and other logistical issues.

Additional supervisory coverage and specific consultations are arranged for outreach and rotations. The training is designed to allow the intern to work closely with several supervisors over the course of the year to promote effective alliances and learn from differences in perspectives and approaches in the development professional identity.

Seminars (approximately four to seven hours per week for two semesters). In keeping with the goals of the training program, seminars are intended to explore core theoretical, technical, ethical, scientific, multicultural, and diagnostic issues as they relate to the delivery of clinical services in a university setting. Seminars are develpmental in nature. To those ends, both general readings and case-based presentations are used to facilitate interns' conceptual formulations and integration of theory, research and practice. Seminar leaders and other participants provide peer consultation regarding case materials of each intern.

Multicultural Psychotherapy (weekly for two semesters). Utilizing a didactic, self-exploratory, and case-conference format, this seminar addresses dimensions of identity, power, values, and the meaning of culture in the client, the therapist, and in their interactions. A facilitated cultural identity exploration component and presentation of clinical material by trainees provide the foundation of the seminar experience.

Professional Issues (weekly for two semesters). With presentations by staff, trainees, and outside speakers, this didactic seminar highlights a series of topics relating to both theoretical and applied aspects of clinical work. Presentations are likely to include reviews of empirically supported therapies, diagnosis-specific treatment options, assessment of unique clinical presentations, and clinical work with specific populations.

Group Psychotherapy (weekly for two semesters).The seminar is devoted to the theory and practice of group treatments, including preparation and selection of members, co-therapy dynamics, group norms and cohesion, critical incidents, and termination. Use of videos and presentation of the interns' group work usually provide the focus and material for discussion of conceptual, technical, and ethical issues.

Supervision Theory and Practice (weekly for two semesters).Principles and developmental stages of supervision are examined and applied in the interns' supervision of externs' psychotherapy. The seminar also provides group supervision of the interns' single case supervisory work with externs.

Psychiatry and College Mental Health (weekly for two semesters). This seminar addresses psychoactive medications, mind-body interactions, and medical issues, as well as their impact on assessment and the therapeutic process. It uses clinical material to identify the indications and counter-indications for medication, possible side effects, and the integration of drug treatments with psychotherapy. It also discusses related issues such as light treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, nutritional factors and mental health, and the role of herbal, "organic," and over-the-counter treatments.

Assessment (heavily emphazed during orientation weeks). The seminar focuses on basic principles and practices for clinical evaluation, including the intake process and diagnostic screening, emergency and mental status examinations, and the use and integration of testing and clinical interviews. Emphasis is given to the development of a focused and comprehensive psychological report related to psychopathology, personality organization and development, and clinical questions. Response to referral issues, conceptual formulations, differential diagnoses, treatment planning and consultation and feedback are also addressed.

Outreach and Consultation (weekly for one semester and monthly for the second semester). The seminar focuses on the philosophy and techniques of outreach and primary prevention, program development of specific psycho-educational workshops, and related topics. The projects of each intern are developed and reviewed in group discussions of the meetings.

Couples Therapy (weekly for the second semester) Models and strategies of treatment are applied in case-based discussion of the interns' work with couples, using audio and/or video recordings for demonstration of issues and feedback on communication patterns, interpretation and intervention techniques, and the roles of the therapist.

Other Training Activities

Clinical and Professional Development Meetings (three to five hours per month for the training year). Weekly clinical staff meeting agendas include regular university and Center concerns, monthly multicultural discussions, and professional topics presented by outside speakers. Interns also have a weekly hour scheduled for their peer support group and a biweekly meeting with the Training Director to address emerging concerns during the year.

Research Projects (variable time) Interns can opt for involvement in research activities within the Center, such as treatment outcome evaluations and program assessments, or they can schedule two hours per week for a semester to pursue the completion of their dissertations.