Psychology Practicum Program
About Azusa Pacific University
APU is a comprehensive Christian university of liberal arts and professional programs, with a diverse student body of more than 8,000 students. Ethnic minority students comprise approximately 25 percent of the student population. Student Life services, including the University Counseling Center, are primarily oriented toward undergraduate residential students. However, the university also offers services to graduate, adult degree completion programs, satellite campuses, and offsite programs.
Further information about the university may be found at www.apu.edu/about/.
About the University Counseling Center
The mission of the University Counseling Center is to facilitate the emotional, psychological, social, academic, and spiritual wellness of the Azusa Pacific University student community. The presenting problems of students who come for our services span a host of issues, including: depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, family concerns, self-esteem and identity concerns, childhood trauma and sexual assault, eating and body image issues, sexuality and sexual orientation issues, personality and Axis II patterns, addictive/compulsive behavior, and spiritual concerns.
UCC services are available to APU students at a low cost. Psychotherapy is primarily time-limited, with most students having access of up to 10 sessions per academic year. Occasional exceptions are made to extend treatment to those who have significant need and limited resources.
Practicum Training Focus
Training opportunities for doctoral students have been offered at the Azusa Pacific University Counseling Center since 1999, with the Psychology Practicum Program being formalized in 2001. Our staff is a culturally and theoretically diverse group of professionals, including four licensed psychologists, two licensed marriage and family therapists, one postdoctoral counselor, and an office manager.
Psychology Practicum Training at the University Counseling Center offers the opportunity to learn general mental health practitioner skills, as well as to gain specialized exposure to the unique needs of today's college students. Our training program focuses on three areas:
- Counseling and Psychotherapy Experience
- Supplementary Professional Experience
- Supervision and Training
Crisis Counseling and Management
Practicum students receive experience and training in the provision of psychotherapy, which comprises approximately 50 percent of their time at the UCC. Although there is a predominant focus on the provision of individual psychotherapy, a range of activities is available (based on client availability and need), including:
- Intake Assessment: Weekly intake interviews and written reports with new clients
- Individual Psychotherapy: Mostly time-limited therapy, with a few long-term cases
- Couples Counseling: Including pre-marital and traditional counseling and assessment
- Group Therapy: Process-oriented groups and/or UCC psychoeducational workshops
- Crisis Intervention and Management: Includes walk-in hours
Supplementary Professional Experience
Elective opportunities exist for those who elect to take on additional hours:
- Psychological Assessment: Practicum students may supplement their normal UCC clinical hours with the opportunity to conduct occasional psychological testing and write-up of an assessment battery, based on client need.
- Outreach and Consultation: Practicum students may devote additional time to gain experience in providing creative outreach efforts to the university community. Opportunities may arise to provide outreach and/or psychoeducational presentations in classes, meetings, and other settings. Practicum students also serve as liaisons to Residence Life staff as one form of outreach. Practicum students may also meet with students to discuss psychology topics for class assignments or to answer questions regarding UCC services.
Other supplemental activities may include program development, administrative support, or assistance with staff projects.
Supervision and Training
Quality supervision is of the utmost priority at the UCC. The UCC utilizes a supervisory team model, in which each trainee has a primary supervisor, and also receives secondary supervision from group co-leaders and other staff. Supervisory issues are handled as a staff team.
- Individual Supervision: Practicum students receive 1 to 1.5 hours of individual supervision each week from a licensed psychologist or post-doctoral counselor. Other staff are available for additional consultation as needed. Practicum students are required to audiotape or videotape all clinical work with no exceptions, and tapes are used in supervision.
- Group Supervision and Didactic Training: Practicum students are required to attend a weekly seminar, which provides 1.5 hours of group supervision and/or didactic training each week. Seminars include topical material, case presentations, and case discussion. Seminars are provided by various staff members and outside professionals, offering exposure to a range of theoretical orientations and expertise.
- Case Presentations: Each practicum student is required to do two formal case presentaions over the training year in the context of practicum seminars. Informal case presentations are also expected on a regular basis during group supervision.
- Evaluation: Ongoing feedback and communication is a priority at the UCC. Goals are developed with each practicum student at the beginning of the contract year, and progress reports are discussed at mid-semester. Practicum students are evaluated at mid-year and at the end of the training year. Practicum students likewise have the opportunity to give feedback on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
Our Expectations
Reliability and Professionalism
Practicum students are expected to show a high level of professionalism within both the UCC and the university community; attend weekly supervision meetings and seminars; inform UCC training director of absences in advance; function within an already existing mental health service team structure; and maintain collegiality and teamwork with UCC staff and fellow practicum students.
Responsibility in Administrative Tasks
Practicum students are expected to show initiative and to be self-motivated; manage schedules for effective use of time on-site; demonstrate punctuality and responsibility toward commitments; demonstrate timely and thorough maintenance of case notes, files, and other paperwork; work toward clinical proficiency in case formulation, treatment planning, and written documentation; review taped sessions for professional development; and have tapes ready for review and discussion in supervision.
Ethics and Professional Judgment
Practicum students are expected to be aware of and adhere to all pertinent laws, ethics, and standards of conduct as outlined by state law and the American Psychological Association in all activities associated with the UCC; balance ego-strength with awareness of personal/training limitations and willingness to consult; maintain a student liability insurance policy.
Awareness of Diversity, Individual Differences, and Spirituality
Practicum students are expected to demonstrate developing awareness and sensitivity in the delivery of services to an ethnically, culturally, and spiritually diverse student community; be open to addressing the spiritual concerns of clients in clinical work according to client needs.
