Training Program: Service Activities
Individualized, Flexible Contracting
How much time an intern spends per week in given direct service areas (i.e., individual and couples therapy, group therapy, outreach, consultation, intake, emergency) is flexible and is individually negotiated each semester with the training director. This allows interns to tailor their training experiences to better meet their needs.
Individual and Couples Therapy
Each intern will carry an average weekly caseload of 9-14 clients. We generally meet with our clients for one hour per week, though more or less frequent meetings are arranged depending on the need. These clients cover a range of presenting problems, from developmentally oriented clients to ones with more severe pathology. Most cases are considered short-term (1-15 sessions) though allowances are made for longer-term cases (15+ sessions). Cases are selected in weekly clinical team meetings and an attempt is made to meet the specific training needs of the individual intern in case selection. The center has a state-of-the-art biofeedback lab and program which interns learn how to use with clients.
Group Therapy
Interns are very involved in providing group therapy during their time at the Center. We require each intern to run at least one therapy group per semester. In addition, interns are free to run additional groups if they have an interest in this area. Typically, interns run one or two groups per semester. During the fall semester interns co-lead groups with other staff members, and then in the spring and summer they may again co-lead with Senior staff or they may lead groups with each other or independently. The Center's group program is very successful and we typically run 10-15 groups each semester. These groups cover a broad range of topic areas. Some of our groups are process oriented but we also have a number of skill-oriented or psycho educational groups. Interns are encouraged to be involved in running both types of groups. Supervision for group work is done by your senior staff co-leader or individual supervisor.
Outreach
The Counseling Center is very involved in outreach activities to the UF community. As an intern, you will do outreach programs each semester to a variety of campus groups. We encourage you to develop and present programs in areas of special interest to you and to work with new topics and populations. Interns and senior staff often work in teams in presenting such programs.
Intake
Every student who comes to the Center is initially seen for an intake interview. The purpose of this interview is to assess the problem and make the appropriate disposition, either within the Center or to an outside agency/practitioner. As an intern, you will receive training in conducting intake interviews and then be assigned three intakes per week. This activity continues through the internship year.
Emergency Back-up
The Center has an emergency/back-up counselor on duty at all times when the Center is open 8am - 5pm Mon-Fri. This person is responsible for seeing clients who come to the Center who are in need of immediate care. This counselor is also responsible for consulting with other staff members who need to consult about problem cases. As an intern, you will receive training in emergency/crisis intervention skills during the fall semester and then be assigned emergency/back-up duty during the spring and summer semesters.