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The practicum training year begins with a comprehensive, structured orientation to the advanced practicum and Psychological & Wellness Services operations. While doctoral psychology interns attend orientation full-time for 3-4 weeks, practicum trainees join the interns 3 full days per week during the orientation month (September). Orientation trainings are joint or individualized according to each training program’s responsibilities at the center. The orientation is designed to welcome trainees and begin to integrate them into PAWS. Practicum trainees are provided with an overview of all PAWS services in addition to details about the clinical services they will be offering, use of the electronic record system (Titanium Schedule), digital recording, teletherapy, supervision, and other administrative details. During orientation, all trainees participate in Meet the Staff (getting to know each of the PAWS providers), the Campus Partners Tour (visiting numerous Student Affairs and other campus offices to which trainees often refer students), and some community partner visits (e.g., Rebuilding Hope! Sexual Assault Center for Pierce County, Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, The Rainbow Center). Trainees also complete a self-assessment during orientation which will assist in formulating training goals for the year. The orientation program is developed and coordinated by the Training Director with input and participation from the staff. Orientation is an ongoing process, and trainees are encouraged to consult with their supervisors and/or any senior staff member throughout the orientation period and the training year.
The Training Director meets with each practicum trainee individually and/or as a cohort to informally check in about how the practicum training is meeting their needs and to solicit feedback about the training program. The Training Director keeps an open-door policy and trainees are encouraged to meet informally and/or request additional meetings to focus on any training concerns.
Practicum trainees are expected to video record their individual therapy sessions in order to enrich the training experience and to allow supervisors to obtain direct knowledge of the clients. Individual therapy recordings are reviewed and discussed during individual supervision. Trainees are expected to review their video recorded sessions in advance of supervision in order to identify areas on which to focus during supervision. Practicum trainees are required to video record every client at every session and all clients assigned to practicum trainees have consented to recording. Any changes to recording procedures may be made at the discretion of the individual supervisor and Training Director.
Practicum trainees engage in a number of other learning activities during their time at Psychological & Wellness Services. Such activities may include time to conduct research into the presenting concerns and/or unique identities of the students on their caseload. Trainees also review video recordings of their sessions in preparation for supervision. Practicum trainees may spend time consulting with the Outreach Coordinator, senior staff, and/or interns in preparation for their observation or participation in campus outreach. Updating the client list for supervision, tracking practicum hours, engaging in case management, and writing session notes are other learning activities included in the practicum. Readings for seminar may also be assigned from time to time. Trainees also occasionally participate in group supervision, when both co-supervision triads join one another to review video and discuss clients. Another essential component of the practicum is the didactic seminar, described below.
Practicum trainees join interns on Tuesday mornings to attend the Clinical & Professional Topics seminar, which meets for 1.5 hours weekly. It includes didactic (teaching) and discussion-based presentations by PAWS senior staff and select guest presenters. The seminar may include such topics as Diagnosing Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders; Boundaries: The Key to Healthier Relationships and Personal Peace; Clinical Implications of Grief and Mourning; and a Clinical Implications of Psychopathology Series that focuses on the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Personality Disorders. Practicum trainees also have the opportunity to view and provide feedback for the doctoral psychology interns’ mock “job talks” during seminar in autumn quarter as they prepare for job interviews. Practicum trainees make a formal case presentation at the end of each quarter to develop their skills for internship, and all clinical staff attend.
