Counselors in Academic Residence Practicum Track

CARE practicum track students will be working with the CARE counselors who are embedded within the academic schools and colleges that they serve. Successful practicum students in this placement will be flexible and skilled at problem-solving. The goal of this practicum is to provide students in the counseling and clinical psychology doctoral programs at UT with a focused and intensive experience in providing individual counseling to university students and to provide training and supervision in the following areas:

• Clinical skills and competency in providing individual counseling.
• Understanding of the “Use of Self” model (i.e., attending to the process-level dimensions of psychotherapy; appropriately using the therapist's reactions and the therapeutic relationship as agents of change).
• Working competently and compassionately with clients from diverse life backgrounds and with wide-ranging presenting concerns.
• Developing skills for working collaboratively with a variety of mental health and higher education professionals.
• Understanding, integrating, and being able to communicate about students’ mental health experiences and how it connects to achieving academic goals.
• Familiarizing with a certain college’s culture and how it contributes to a mental health experience.
• Developing case management and referral skills to manage high acuity needs in short-term clinical work.

Structure of the CARE Practicum

The CARE Practicum consists of a combination of time dedicated to direct clinical services, individual supervision, participation in a weekly seminar, and additional hours for documentation and other administrative tasks. The designated block of direct clinical service time is a minimum of 8 hours per week. Including direct clinical services, supervision, seminar, and administrative time, the total minimum commitment to the practicum is 14 hours per week. (Please note that the specific structure of the practicum is subject to change).

Individual Counseling Experience

Each trainee is expected to provide a minimum of eight hours per week for individual counseling sessions. Given the variability in attendance rates and the fact that clients may be seen less frequently than every week, the size of trainees' caseloads will vary. Practicum students working with CARE have the opportunity to gain experience working with clients in brief counseling (generally up to eight sessions). This practicum allows students the opportunity to receive referrals from academic staff, such as academic advisors, career counselors, deans and faculty.

Outreach Experience

Trainees will have the opportunity to develop, and co-present workshops focused on addressing mental health concerns that impact academic performance. Examples include reducing test anxiety and stress management.

Time Allocation for the CARE Practicum Track at CMHC

Activity	Time Allotted
	Minimum	Maximum
Direct Clinical Services (Individual and Group Counseling, Case Management and Consultation)	8 hrs	Open
Individual Counseling Supervision	2 hrs	2 hrs
Group Counseling Supervision	0 hrs	1 hr
Practicum Seminar	1.5 hrs	1.5 hrs
Administrative Tasks	2 hrs	Open
Totals	13.5 hrs	Open