a supervised clinical training experience for students in doctoral level Counseling and Clinical psychology programs.  The training experience is grounded in a developmental model that draws from a general understanding of clinical skill development and attention to individualized supervision and professional development.  The goal of the practicum training is to provide a structured learning experience that is tailored to the developmental needs and clinical interests of individual students.  The students are exposed to a variety of theoretical perspectives and clinical issues, and they participate in a number of activities that facilitate the development of their clinical skills and their identity as mental health providers.

Practicum students will be supervised

by a member of the Counseling Center senior staff during the fall semester. During the spring semester, practicum students may be supervised by a pre-doctoral intern under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Eligibility

• Students will be in good standing in either the Ph.D. program in Clinical or Counseling Psychology at UNC Charlotte. 

•  Students will have completed courses in basic counseling/clinical theory and techniques, ethics, and personality or abnormal psychology. 

• It is also desirable that students have completed courses in multicultural counseling, research design and methods, and group therapy. 

How to apply

Students will be expected to participate in two consecutive semesters of practicum beginning in fall and continuing in the spring.  The application process will begin in early spring for the following fall semester and will include both a written application and an on site interview with the Practicum Coordinator and another staff member.  Students will submit a completed application form that can be found on line, a vita, a letter of interest, and one reference from a faculty member or current supervisor who is familiar with the students’ clinical experiences. 

Download application materials here, complete the application, and send to Jessica Walker, Ph. D., Practicum Coordinator, Counseling Center, University of North Carolina Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223-0001.  The application materials will be reviewed and selected applicants will be contacted for two 30 minute interviews, one with the Practicum Coordinator and one with another senior staff member. 

Applications are due by March in the spring semester of the year that the student is seeking practicum placement.  Interviews will be conducted in March and April for placement in the fall semester. 

Practicum Activities and Expectations

The doctoral level practicum training experience is a 20 hour per week training experience that can include the following weekly activities:

• Two to four intake sessions.

• Five to ten individual or couples sessions.

• Co-leading a structured group.

• One hour of  individual face-to-face supervision.

• One hour of group supervision.

• One hour and a half of all staff professional development seminar held on Thursdays from 8:30 am to 10:00 am.

Policy on accessing counseling at the Counseling Center and concurrent or subsequent practicum placement

Participation in counseling concurrent with practicum placement at the Counseling Center is not permitted due to the dual role relationships that would result.  We have a strong belief in the need for clarity of roles, and we maintain our ethical responsibility to avoid dual role conflicts that may impede the training process and experience.    However, counseling at the Center prior to a practicum placement is permitted.  If students receive counseling at the Counseling Center prior to practicum, they will be precluded from having their counselor as their supervisor in any capacity during the practicum experience.