Practicum Information

The Practicum in school counseling is the initial opportunity for students to synthesize the theoretical information on individual counseling and small group work from their coursework and apply it with clients. The course provides both a laboratory experience in counseling skills under the supervision of the U of I supervisor, and a field experience under the joint supervision of the U of I supervisor and the site supervisor. The first three weeks of the class will be spent in the in the laboratory experience, followed by two six-week school placements, one each at the elementary and secondary school levels.

Goals

Practicum is the course where students will learn how to apply counseling and consulting skills consistent with accepted school counselor role descriptions. The coursework provides an opportunity for reviewing theoretical models of counseling and consultation and to practice counseling skills in a laboratory setting as well as in the field.

Objectives

At the end of Practicum students will be able to:

1.       Perform basic helping skills.

2.       Develop client case conceptualizations.

3.       Develop counseling interventions.

4.       Understand the professional school counselor role and the roles of other school personnel.

General Expectations

These guidelines have been developed by the U of I School Counseling faculty (in accordance with CACREP standards) to provide guidelines to the site supervisor and the Practicum student. Because Practicum is the first opportunity for the student to practice his or her counseling skills, the expectations of the site supervisor, student, and U of I supervisor are as follows: 

Expectations of the student

1. Spend one day per week at the elementary level for six weeks and one day per week at the secondary level for six weeks in an approved school setting.

2. Complete required activities and assignments listed on the course syllabus and move through the process of observing, co-leading, and leading clinical experiences that school counselors are involved with at various levels:

a. Required elements:

·         Individual counseling (One session with at least two different clients each week, with experiences involving academic, career, and personal/social concerns)

·         Classroom guidance

·         Small group counseling (if possible)

b. Suggested activities as the site supervisor deems appropriate, for example:

·         Consulting with teachers, parents, or other professionals.

·         Participating in child study or assessment team meetings.

·         Gaining awareness of the organizational structure and political climate within the school building and district.

·         Attending district counselor meetings

            c. Activities outlined on the course syllabus (to be distributed each semester)

3. Meet with the U of I supervisor in a group laboratory setting for four hours each week, weeks 1-3 .

4. Meet with the site supervisor for ½ hour of individual supervision per week, weeks 4-9 and 11-16.

5. Meet with the U of I supervisor for one hour of individual supervision per week, weeks 4-9 and 11-16.

6. Meet for 2 ½ hours per week for seminar and group supervision, weeks 4-16.

7. Record five audio or videotapes of a counseling session for each setting and bring to supervision sessions with the U of I supervisor.

Expectations of the site supervisor

1. In addition to providing opportunities for the Practicum student to become familiar with the placement site, assist the student in moving through the steps of observing, co-leading, and eventually leading clinical experiences that school counselors are involved with at either the elementary or secondary level:  

a. Required elements:

• Individual counseling (One session with at least two different clients each week, with experiences involving academic, career, and personal/social concerns)
• Classroom guidance
• Small group counseling (if possible)         

b. Suggested activities as the site supervisor deems appropriate, for example:

• Consulting with teachers, parents, or other professionals
• Participating in child study or assessment team meetings
• Gaining awareness of the organizational structure and political climate within the school building and district
• Attending district counselor meetings

            c. Activities outlined on the course syllabus (to be distributed each semester)

2. Meet with the Practicum student for ½ hour per week of individual supervision.

3. At the end of Practicum, complete an evaluation of the Practicum student (see Appendix B) and meet jointly with the Practicum student and the U of I supervisor.

4. If concerns arise during the Practicum experience, address these concerns with the student immediately. If it is not possible to resolve the issue, then it is expected that the U of I supervisor will be notified.

Expectations of the U of I supervisor

1. Provide clinical experiences in counseling in the laboratory setting during weeks 1-3 of the semester.

2. Lead 2 ½ hours of seminar and group supervision per week for weeks 4-16.

3. Provide one hour of individual supervision per week for weeks 4-9 and 11-16.

4. Meet with the site supervisor and Practicum student on a regular basis.

5. Work with the site supervisor to provide the best possible learning experience for the Practicum student.