Practicum and Internship Handbook: Desirable Experiences in Practicum and Internship

Orientation to the field site

The trainee should become familiar with:

• Characteristics of the community served.
• Organization of the agency/institution, including physical plant, staff, and administrative structure.
• Nature of the client population.
• Written statements of policy, purpose, and philosophy of the agency/institution.
• Background and qualifications of the staff.
• Services offered by the agency/institution.

Agency/institution Policies and Procedures

The trainee should:

• Become familiar with record keeping, intake evaluations, case notes, case studies, correspondence, and other documentation procedures.
• Participate and attend staff meetings and case conferences.
• Cooperate with other professionals in the use and exchange of information concerning clients.
• Participate in in-service opportunities offered by the agency/institution.

Counseling and Therapy

The trainee should:

• Provide individual and group counseling.
• Work with clients of different races, religious convictions, color, gender, sexual preference, and national origin.
• Carry out the referral process.
• Establish and maintain a counseling relationship from initial intake to termination or through referral if further care is needed, and carry out follow-up.

Assessment and Records

The trainee should gain experience related to:

• Administering, scoring, and interpreting group and individual assessment instruments of various types.
• Reviewing background information and assessment information and preparing for a counseling interview.
• Developing awareness of specialties, skills, and services offered by other helping professionals in the community, agency/institution.

Consultation

The trainee should be involved in:

• Maintaining a current list of clinical counseling agency resources and personnel for referral and personally meet and establish contact with such personnel.
• Participate in research concerning counseling-related activities.

Professionalism

The trainee is expected to:

• Adhere to ACA and other appropriate ethical standards.
• Participate in professional development activities including in-service as well as external professional development activities.
• Demonstrate human relation skills with agency employees and clients.
• Demonstrate responsibility with regard to established laws, rules, and regulations.
• Show respect for cultural differences and values of all ethnic groups.