Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship
The Counseling Center Practicum/Internship spans three semesters long (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Interns are expected to commit to a minimum of 15 hours/week in the Fall semester, followed by 20 hours/week in the Spring Semester and 20-25 hours/week in the summer semester. This program of supervised clinical experience is designed to satisfy the clinical requirements of a master’s degree in preparation for licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida.
Training at the Center allows for exposure to a broad range of clinical opportunities, such as individual counseling, group counseling, outreach, and crisis intervention. That exposure occurs under the guidance and support of our supervision team, which is made up of a variety of supervisors who have years of experience and a commitment to the professional development of our interns. Broadly speaking, our team at the Center is multidisciplinary, consisting of mental health counselors, social workers, a nutritionist, psychiatric nurse practitioners, a psychiatrist, psychologists, and support staff. Additionally, interns work alongside other student clinicians in training, including those completing their master’s degree in social work, their doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, or their doctoral degree in Nursing. Our Center also trains postgraduate and postdoctoral clinicians. Training within our multidisciplinary setting allows interns to learn from other mental health professionals and prepares them to work effectively in multidisciplinary environments after graduation.
Our goal for every intern is that they truly become part of our staff! As their time allows, interns are welcome to attend didactic presentations, staff meetings, case conferences, and other Counseling Center activities. We look forward to creating relationships with each intern and seeing how they decorate the office assigned to them!
Eligibility
Students who are completing the requirements for a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling are eligible to apply. Minimum academic requirements include completion of courses in ethics, counseling, and psychopathology. Additional course work in advanced counseling theory/technique and group dynamics is preferred. If your university does not have an affiliation agreement with our center, we will need to obtain one prior to the start of the internship. Currently, our center has affiliation agreements with the 老澳门资料, Jacksonville University, and Nova Southeastern University.
Qualifications
Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and be in good standing with their program. Minimum academic requirements include completion of courses in ethics, counseling, and psychopathology. Additional course work in advanced counseling theory/technique and group dynamics is preferred. Effective communication skills and a commitment to personal growth are highly desired.
Candidates must be able to work within the normal operating hours of the Center (Monday- Friday 8 am - 5 pm). Interns are invited to complete outreach programs, which sometimes occur in the evening or on weekends. Outreach opportunities, especially those that occur outside of operating hours, are not required, but interns are encouraged to participate in those that would further their training, when they have the resources to do so.
Responsibilities and Training Experiences
- Orientation
A week-long orientation will be held during the first or second week of August. Interns are required to attend all orientation sessions. Interns will receive information about Counseling Center policies and procedures, participate in a staff meet and greet, gain information about the Center's services, and receive brief training on topics relevant to the start of their training. - Intake Sessions
Initially, interns will observe staff counselors and their supervisors as they conduct intake sessions and then complete supporting documentation. After observing several sessions, interns will conduct intake sessions while their supervisor observes. Once supervisors and interns feel prepared and competent, interns will complete weekly intakes on their own. - Individual Counseling
Every effort is made to provide interns with a variety of clients and presenting issues, commensurate with their level of ability and experience. Other factors that influence the assignment of clients to interns include the client and/or intern’s availability and the intern's current caseload. Interns are expected to work with increasingly complex clients as the training year and their capabilities progress. - Group Counseling
All interns co-facilitate an interpersonal process group with a staff member each semester. Trainees will have the option to co-facilitate additional group(s), on top of their interpersonal process group, beginning in the Spring semester. Additional groups could include psychoeducational, support, and art therapy groups. - Outreach Activities
Interns will have the opportunity to develop and present outreach activities to the University community throughout the year. Student groups, campus departments, and residence hall advisors often request that the Center present programs to students on a variety of topics. Some of these programs are offered during evenings and weekends, but attendance is not required if working outside business hours does not align with the intern’s needs or resources. - Documentation
Trainees are required to document all counseling contacts in a timely manner through case notes created in the Center's documentation and scheduling software. Additional documentation may be required regarding supervision, outreach, and other clinical activities. - Liability Insurance
Trainees are required to carry professional liability insurance. Documentation of coverage is required prior to independent client contact.
Group Psychotherapy
At our counseling center, interns will receive a number of group counseling training experiences. It is expected that by the end of the internship, interns will have at least 55 hours of group counseling direct contact hours. Group supervision is conducted before and after each group and interns are required to attend a formal group facilitators meeting.
Trainees' Typical Week
Direct Contact
- Initial Appointment
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Emergency Coverage
- Outreach
Indirect Contact
- Supervision with a Licensed Counselor
- Case Notes and Paperwork
- Group Supervision
- Supervision of Groups
- Supplemental Supervision
Total Hours Per Week = 15-25 hours depending on the semester
Trainees might be offered additional opportunities, such as:
- Staff Meetings
- Case Conference
- Group Supervision with Doctoral Interns
- Didactic Training with Doctoral Interns
- Additional Group Counseling
Supervision
Trainees will receive:
- 1-hour of individual supervision with a licensed mental health counselor every week.
- 1-hour of supplemental supervision from a doctoral intern every other week (some semesters).
- 1-hour of supervision of group counseling every other week. Trainees' counseling sessions are videotaped for use in both individual and group supervision. Trainees also have the opportunity to observe and consult with our psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and nutritionist.
Evaluation
Trainees receive formal evaluations from their supervisors based on the requirement of their academic program. Evaluation guidelines are determined in conjunction with the policies of each trainee's academic program and the expectations of the Center. Trainees meet with their supervisors to discuss their evaluations.
Trainees also complete evaluations of their supervisors midway throughout the semester and at the end of the semester and discuss these with their supervisors.
Counseling
Personal issues or difficulties sometimes arise for trainees in the course of their initial experience as counselors that exceed the limitations of supervision. While we encourage all current 老澳门资料 students to utilize services at the Center, trainees are unable to obtain personal counseling during the term of their practicum or internship. The staff is available to assist trainees in locating community resources when a referral is indicated.
Application
Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a cover letter two days after the internship fair of your graduate school program. The Cover Letter should clearly state why an applicant is seeking training at 老澳门资料 Counseling Center. Three references must be provided by the interview date. Our center only accepts applications from the 老澳门资料, Jacksonville University, and Nova Southeastern University.
Information on CVs and Examples
Correspondence
Inquiries, applications and letters of recommendation should be addressed to:
Kathryn White, Psy.D.
Director of Training
老澳门资料 Counseling Center
Building 2, Room 2300
1 老澳门资料 Drive
Jacksonville, FL
Telephone:
kathryn.white@unf.edu