Beginning practicum for counseling psychology doctoral students

Many doctoral students from the University of Iowa's Counseling Psychology PhD Program participate in two semesters of practicum.

Commitment and caseload

These students invest 16 hours per week. During the Fall Semester, they carry a caseload of six individual clients and receive an hour of individual supervision, their practicum course, which includes group supervision, is housed within University Counseling Service. During spring semester, the students carry a caseload of eight individual clients, and they receive an hour and a half of individual supervision weekly. They have some opportunities to participate in outreach services.

Advanced practicum for doctoral students

Students who are enrolled in doctoral programs in mental health-related fields are eligible to apply for advanced practicum at University Counseling Service.

Selection process and caseload

The selection process occurs during mid-spring, for the following academic year. Students carry a caseload of eight individual clients, and they receive an hour of weekly, individual supervision. If there are two or more, they meet for a one-hour weekly case conference. They typically process observe or co-facilitate an interpersonal process therapy group, and receive a half-hour of weekly supervision from their group co-therapist.

Interview process and areas of focus

Students are encouraged to identify their hopes for their training experience during the interview process, which occurs during mid-spring. UCS strives to provide training that enables the advanced student to deepen their learning, by working under supervisors who carry expertise related to the students’ interests. Areas of focus include particular theoretical orientations and/or expertise with particular mental health conditions and/or client identities.

University of Iowa MSW Practicum

UCS collaborates with the University of Iowa School of Social Work to offer both Generalist and Clinical Specialist practicum opportunities. More information on the application process, and requirements for these practicum types are available through the School of Social Work on IPT: http://www.runipt.com/ and details on School of Social Work timelines and forms are located here: https://socialwork.uiowa.edu/practicum-education/placement-search-process-and-timelines. 

The selection process for the Generalist practicum will occur mid Fall and the selection process for the Clinical Specialist practicum will occur mid spring each year. Below is detailed information on what students can expect in each practicum type at UCS. If you have additional questions, please contact Heidi Schmitt, LISW, UCS Social Work Practicum Coordinator at heidi-r-reynolds@uiowa.edu. 

Generalist Practicum Opportunity:
Generalist practicum students will have the opportunity to provide case management services and outreach programming for university students. For case management appointments, practicum students will meet directly with student clients, assess the clients' needs and resources, provide referrals and follow up as needed. Students will attend, observe, and facilitate outreach programming such as support groups, workshops, and other mental health presentations. Students will also support the planning of large mental health events such as Mental Health Around the World and may work closely with student organizations and campus partners to support mental health prevention and awareness on campus. Students will participate in a weekly two-hour interdisciplinary seminar which has both case conference and didactic portions.

Students will have opportunities to gain experience specialized skills around risk assessment, health promotion and program assessment working closely with supervisors in specialty areas such as social media, mental health event planning, care coordination and crisis assessment.  These skills serve as a clear foundation for moving into a specialist practicum in either clinical or leadership specialization. 

There are required orientation activities one day during the week prior to the beginning of Spring classes. 

Clinical Specialist Practicum Opportunity:
Specialist practicum students will have the opportunity to provide direct clinical services such as psychotherapy, group counseling, clinical case management as well as outreach programming for university students. Students will video record their provision of psychotherapy so that they can receive feedback through individual and group supervision. Practicum students will largely provide independent psychotherapy services using a brief therapy model. Practicum students will also observe and conduct psychosocial assessments with increasing independence throughout the year. For case management appointments, the practicum students will meet directly with student clients, assess the clients' needs and resources, and provide referrals. Students will attend, observe, and facilitate outreach programming such as support groups, workshops, and other mental health presentations. Students will participate in a weekly two-hour interdisciplinary seminar which has both case conference and didactic portions. 

UCS offers several unique opportunities for specialist practicum students. Students will have opportunities to gain experience and implement specialized skills for risk assessment skills within psychosocial assessment and case management. Students may also collaborate with supervisors in several specialty areas such as trauma, eating disorders, grief/loss, or substance use. The skills developed at UCS are highly transferable to other practice settings. Historically, many practicum students have continued to work at UCS after graduation.

There will are required orientation activities two days during the week prior to the beginning of Fall classes for specialist practicum students. Participation between semesters will be optional. Practicum students may be placed within the UCS main location at Westlawn or in one of several embedded locations on campus.

Practicum and Internship for Clinical Mental Health

Students who are enrolled in the University of Iowa’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are eligible to apply for placement at University Counseling Service for their practicum and internship. 

Selection Process and Caseload

Clinical Mental Health Counseling student should apply for a placement during the early part of the spring semester. Please submit your portfolio materials as instructed by your faculty. Interviews will take place in mid-February to early-March.  

During students’ fall practicum placement, students carry a caseload of approximately 6 individual clients and receive an hour of weekly individual supervision. Practiucm counselors will also take part in a weekly multi-disciplinary practicum case conference and a weekly practicum didactic seminar. Practiucm students also offer regular outreach a prevention programming. As time allows, practicum students may also observe or co-facilitate interpersonal process therapy groups, support groups, or psychoeducational workshops.  Practiucm students may shadow psychosocial assessments. Practicum activities are designed to total 150 total hours (60 direct).

During students’ spring internship placement, students carry a caseload of approximately 15 individual clients and receive an hour of weekly individual supervision.  Clinical Mental Health Counseling interns will shadow and work towards facilitation of psychosocial assessments. They will also offer interpersonal process therapy groups, support groups, or psychoeducational workshops.  Clinical Mental Health Counseling interns will continue to participate in weekly case conference and didactic seminar.  Internship activities are designed to total 600 total hours (240 direct).