Counseling Psychology Advanced Practicum; Fall & Spring
Welcome!
Dear Prospective Advanced Practicum Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in the University of Florida Counseling and Wellness Center’s Advanced Practicum Training Program. Our training program is designed to facilitate the transition from student to professional through training seminars, supervision and clinical experiences. We attempt to create an atmosphere that is conducive to a counselor’s learning and development through an appropriate balance of support and challenge. Details of the advanced practicum program are provided in the Training Manual
Our Advanced Practicum program accepts students from the University of Florida’s Counselor Education (M.Ed./Ed.S. level-Specialist Intern), Counseling Psychology, and Clinical and Health Psychology programs. We have a culturally and professionally diverse training staff committed to providing quality training of our counselors. Our staff represents various theoretical orientations, and shares a commitment to providing multicultural sensitive clinical and training experiences. Our Center offers individual, couples and group counseling, outreach, consultation and crisis intervention to the university community. Our training staff is also integrally involved in teaching and other scholarly activities on campus.
Please note that the CWC Training Program and Trainees adhere to the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs (CCPTP) Counseling Psychology Model Training Values Statement Addressing Diversity. Learn more about our Training Program’s Competencies and Ethics Guidelines.
Please visit our Advanced Practicum Application Process page for information about applying to our program and application deadlines.
I look forward to receiving your application and wish you success in the application process.
Sincerely,
Shinlay Rivera, Ph.D.
Assistant Training Director
Mission Statement
The Advanced Practicum training program is an integral part of the mission of the University of Florida Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) and the entire professional and support staff is involved in the supervision and training of our advanced practicum counselors. The Advanced Practicum training program is designed to prepare trainees to function competently as a counselor in training. Our goal is to help develop counselors who are competent, highly ethical, and culturally sensitive.
The program follows a practitioner-scholar model of professional training for counselors, which emphasizes experiential learning. As a practitioner, the trainee applies the knowledge gained from scholarly and scientific evidence to clinical practice. As a scholar, the trainee is engaged in study of the science of psychology, and is encouraged to contribute to the profession though involvement in scholarly activities. In addition, the training staff provides a wide variety of clinical and supervision orientations used in training.
Philosophy
Advanced Practicum is a time to develop one’s professional skills and identity as a counselor. The Advanced Practicum training program offers training in a variety of areas related to the counseling profession. We attempt to provide an atmosphere that is conducive to learning by providing trainees with an appropriate blend of support and challenge. We see trainees as emerging professionals and treat them accordingly, giving them a balance of autonomy and structure. At the same time, we try to provide the professional and emotional support necessary to allow for growth and development. We focus on trainees’ strengths and “growth edges” and attempt to facilitate trainees’ growth throughout the course of the year.
Evaluation and feedback is an important part of the Advanced Practicum training program experience. Clinical supervisors, group supervisors, and members of the training staff evaluate and provide feedback to trainees twice each semester (at mid-term and again at the end of the semester). This feedback focuses on the development and progress of each trainee, with the focus always being on helping trainees identify areas of strength and areas for growth. Trainees, in turn, provide ongoing feedback throughout the program, as well as evaluating their clinical supervisors and the training program at the end of each semester.
Depending on their contract, trainees will have the opportunity to engage in the multiple roles of working at a counseling center, which include counseling services (individual, couples, and group therapy), assessment, crisis intervention, referral, consultation, outreach workshops, participation in training seminars and professional development.
Professional Ethics
Trainees are expected to follow ethical guidelines and principles as established by the American Psychological Association (APA). They are expected to be aware of and adhere to pertinent Florida laws governing professional practice. All trainees must maintain ALL client information confidential as required by law and the APA ethics codes. Ethical issues are presented as a component of the trainee seminar. Ethical issues are integrated into all discussions regarding service delivery and into all training opportunities, including seminars, individual and group supervision sessions.
Learn more about the CWC Training Program’s Competencies and Ethics.
About the CWC
We have a culturally and professionally diverse training staff committed to providing quality training of our counselors. Our staff represents various theoretical orientations, and shares a commitment to providing multicultural sensitive clinical and training experiences. Our Center offers individual, couples and group counseling, outreach, consultation and crisis intervention to the university community. Our training staff is also integrally involved in teaching and other scholarly activities on campus.