Clinical Training Program

Practicum and Internship Opportunities

For additional information regarding the program, please contact Elizabeth Dixon at dixonej@cofc.edu or at 843.953.5640.

TRAINING PROGRAM

  1. Pre-doctoral and practicum/field experience trainees in counseling, psychology, social work, or related fields may be accepted for placement and training at The Counseling Center. Application and acceptance procedures are evaluated yearly.
  2. All trainees must provide proof of current student liability/malpractice insurance prior to starting their internship.
  3. All trainees are provided a week-long orientation that includes a review of the Guidance and Procedures Manual, The Counseling Center procedures and guidance regarding file management, security, confidentiality, and all relevant Center paperwork are reviewed at this time. The trainee evaluation systems, due process, DSM-IV coding, treatment planning and other professional issues are also reviewed.
  4. As part of their orientation, trainees participate in activities that include observing an Initial Assessment, and individual sessions and are observed and/or recorded for supervision while conducting these activities.
  5. Trainees co-lead counseling groups with professional staff members and are assigned cases within their level of competency and comfort.  After sufficient training, trainees perform intakes, individual counseling, and outreach activities. Supervisors review treatment plans and diagnoses and sign-off on trainee’s charts at established points, i.e., intake, treatment plan and termination.
  6. Trainees may make referrals to Health Services MD's or The Counseling Center's’ Psychiatrist only after consultation with their supervisor. Making these determinations are difficult and trainees should consult their supervisors (or, if the supervisor is not available, another clinical staff member) to assist with decision-making as well as initiating the process.
  7. Trainees are not assigned Intitial Assessment responsibilities until they have received training and supervision in this activity. 
  8. Trainees may not assist students with medical/psychological withdrawals, leaves of absence or risk management. However, interns are encouraged to collaborate with their supervisors or another clinical staff member to assist students with this process as necessary.

SELECTION OF TRAINEES

  1. Trainees apply through a competitive process requiring an application, letters of reference, an outline of experience, a statement of career objectives and graduate transcripts.
  2. Candidates for the available positions must submit to an on-campus interview with the Training Director, counselors, and/or Director. The number of trainees during any given term is determined by the availability of supervisors and office space.

SUPERVISION

  1. Each trainee is assigned a supervisor. This responsibility may be rotated periodically among appropriately licensed staff.
  2. Each counseling session is to be either video or audio taped.
  3. All trainees receive one hour per week one-on-one supervision and one and a half hours per week of group supervision. Trainees also participate in peer supervision and weekly staff case conferences as well as take a turn presenting cases in that format.
  4. To supplement regular supervision, trainees are encouraged to seek out professional staff if they have concerns and/or cases that they desire additional feedback or assistance with.