Student Counseling Services Training Program for Graduate Students

Overview

A practicum in Psychology and/or Social Work at Connecticut College Student Counseling Services provides supervised experience within a college counseling center setting. The focus of the practicum site is mental health issues of late adolescence and adulthood.

Connecticut College is a highly selective, coeducational, private liberal arts college located in New London, Connecticut on the northern shore of Long Island Sound. It offers academic excellence in a community shaped by a student-run honor code. Connecticut College occupies 750 acres on a hill overlooking the Thames River and Long Island Sound. Many of its early buildings are constructed of native granite and limestone, while more recent additions harmoniously blend contemporary with traditional architectural styles.

The primary practicum experience is comprised of diagnostic assessment, individual and group psychotherapy, outreach and psychoeducation to the campus community. Mental health issues range from adjustment problems and problems in living to severe psychopathology. Specialized training experiences, including eating disorders, suicide prevention, substance abuse and self-mutilation, are available to practicum students depending on their interests and level of experience. Opportunities for additional training experience at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Counseling Services (across the street) are possible; psychological testing can be included as part of the training at the USCGA.

Supervision

Supervision is provided by the Student Counseling Services staff. Individual supervision is provided 2 hours per week for a 20-hour practicum student. One hour is provided by the Director of the Student Counseling Services, Janet Dee Spoltore, Ph.D., ABPP and another hour by another staff clinician. A practicum student training seminar occurs weekly and is facilitated by the Director. Additionally, students are encouraged to attend staff clinical and training meetings, where additional group supervision is gained.

Organization

Students typically perform a year (academic) long practicum experience. This typically includes 20 hours per week and is done over three days. This involves one primary location throughout the year. An adjunctive secondary rotation at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy may also be available.

Training Experience

1. Ongoing psychodiagnostic evaluations of incoming student patients.
2. Clinical caseload of student patients, including individual and group psychotherapy.
3. Outreach and psychoeducational responsibilities.
4. Weekly Staff Clinical Meeting to discuss clinical cases, treatment planning, and high risk cases. Didactic presentations by staff and selected professionals in the college/community on clinical and professional issues regularly occur.
5. Training in multicultural issues related to treating a diverse student population.
6. Weekly individual supervision with Director and one other clinical staff member (two hours).
7. Weekly training Seminar facilitated by Director (one hour).
8. Administrative tasks that incorporate professional role in service delivery.

To provide a supervised setting within a pluralistic college setting for trainees to get competent clinical and didactic training in the ethical practice of psychology in outpatient mental health, including assessment, treatment, prevention, referral and crisis management.

Stipend

$1,000 stipend per year may be available for up to three practicum students.

To apply, contact: Janet Dee Spoltore, Ph.D., ABPP Director, Student Counseling Services

Last Modified: Friday, April 03, 2009 13:34