Clinical Training Activities

Supervision

Training is designed to expose practicum students to several different supervisors to enrich their learning experience. Externs receive two hours per week of individual clinical supervision. They meet one hour a week with a licensed psychologist who serves as the Primary Supervisor by overseeing the clinical work, general training experiences and professional growth of the extern. A Secondary Supervisor (a predoctoral intern or postdoctoral fellow) provides an additional hour per week of individual supervision. Externs meet for small group supervision, typically by a postdoctoral fellow, for 1.5 hours per week to provide case presentations, give peer feedback, and discuss general clinical issues. When an extern’s supervision is provided by unlicensed supervisors (i.e., Secondary Supervision or small group supervision), the supervisors are supervised by a licensed psychologist, and their supervisory sessions are routinely recorded.

Supervisors collaborate with the rest of the staff and the Training Committee to guide and evaluate the distinctive progress of all trainees. Each supervisor seeks to promote a challenging yet supportive environment in which to examine the dynamics of the client, the therapist, and the interpersonal interaction between them. In addition, the parallel processes in the supervisory relationship may be examined. The supervisor helps the practicum extern consider alternative therapeutic models and strategies, become more sensitive to the implications of cultural differences, hone the sense of professional responsibility and values, and incorporate the various components of the training experience. By the end of the training year, the extern should have developed a working base of general therapeutic skills and emerging professional identity, upon which future learning and specialization can be built.

Outreach/Developmental Programming Supervision

Externs develop skills in providing developmental programming by co-conducting at least one psychoeducational workshop per quarter with an intern, postdoc, or senior staff member. Typically, externs may choose from among 12 or more different workshops offered by CAPS each quarter. Externs meet with the workshop leader for 30 minutes following the weekly workshop session to debrief, and for input and feedback from the supervisor and peers. During weeks where a program is not scheduled, the extern meets with the workshop leader or team to learn workshop design, facilitation skills, publicity, and other relevant skills. Externs also provide outreach programs to residence halls, academic departments, and student organizations.

Practicum Seminar

This seminar is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skill in diagnostic, treatment, and ethical issues relevant to the theory and practice of brief psychotherapy. The seminar meets one hour per week and uses assigned readings, didactic lectures, demonstration, and case presentations. Externs learn about selection criteria, setting treatment goals, developing treatment plans, and implementing techniques which can promote the therapeutic process.

Staffing Team

Each extern participates in one of three weekly, one-hour staffing meetings attended by all CAPS service providers (psychologists, psychiatrists, postdoctoral fellows, interns, and practicum externs). Intake cases are presented by each participant and the staffing team discusses treatment options (modality; psychological and psychiatric) and interventions. Through team discussion, disposition of cases are made for assignment to treatment, case management, and/or referral to community resources.

Other Meetings

At the beginning of September an extended training orientation will include introduction to CAPS and the NU community. Externs will receive instruction and coaching on how to deliver effective presentations and outreach services. They may also be invited to staff development programs and case conferences scheduled during the course of the year.