Counseling
Training Program: Administrative, Preparation and Professional Development
Staff Meeting
The Center staff meets for two hours every week to discuss a variety of professional and Center issues. Interns are encouraged to actively participate in the meeting. Each meeting also includes a wellness break, a 10 minute fun time when we can take ourselves a bit less seriously (e.g., finger painting, bagels, poetry, music).
Meeting with the Training Director
The training director meets with the interns weekly throughout the year. This is a time to do any business that we need to do, air problems, process, and relax together. We have found it to be an excellent way to keep the lines of communication open between the interns and the training director and the staff.
Committee Work
The Center has a number of committees that meet to discuss issues and recommend policy. All Senior Staff and Interns are assigned to one of three major committees; Training, Multicultural and Clinical Services. The three major committees meet every other week for one hour of the staff meeting. Other committees include: research, staff development, wellness, and intern selection. Interns are rotated each semester so that they can have an opportunity to sit on a variety of committees during their time here.
Other Professional Activities
At the Counseling Center, we allow each intern up to four hours per week time for professional development. This time can be used to individualize one's training program by allowing time to spend on special interest areas or to pursue other areas such as teaching, research, program development, or dissertation work. This time can be used to watch clinical videos, read, prepare for clinical work and supervision, write case notes, and consult on cases. We have attempted to keep the internship to approximately 40 hours per week. Generally, the activities and pace of the Center change depending upon the demands and pressures of the academic calendar.
Specialized Training
At times interns have specific professional interests which can be enhanced by a specialized training experience either at the Center or in another agency on campus. For example, interns may have specific interests in administration, consultation, assessment, or a specific clinical population. Specialized training may be set up for summer term only, and usually involves 4-6 hours per week at the Center (or at another campus site by special arrangement). Such activities are optional, and initiated by the intern, and may not interfere with fulfillment of Counseling Center duties. In the past, interns have participated in specialized training experiences at the VA hospital, Shands Hospital and the Counseling Center's Peer Counselor program.