Internships
The Counseling Practicum/Internship program provides graduate students with an optional, one-semester, 10 hour/week counseling practicum, followed by a two-semester 25-30 hour/week counseling internship. This program of supervised clinical experience is designed to satisfy the clinical requirements of a Master's degree in preparation for licensure in the State of Florida.
The Center is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS).
Eligibility
Students who are completing requirements for a Master's degree in Counseling or Clinical Psychology, Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling, or Social Work are eligible to apply. Applicants should submit a completed application form and two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a graduate professor who can confirm the student's readiness for an internship experience. The other letter may be from an employer or supervisor who has knowledge of the student's current counseling skills.
We are now accepting application for the 2010-2011 academic year and plan to expand our internship program. Applicaitons should be submitted as soon as possible and interviews will be conducted during February and March 2010. Please review information on this website and submit complete application materials to Dr. Deborah M. Baker.
Minimum academic requirements include completion of courses in counseling and psychopathology. Additional course work in advanced counseling theory/technique and group dynamics is preferred. Effective communication skills and a commitment to complete all the requirements of the internship are also required.
Candidates must be able to work within the normal operating hours of the Center (Mon. and Thurs. 8am - 7pm; Tues., Wed. and Fri. 8am - 5pm); Every effort will be made to accommodate interns' outside commitments; however, some scheduling flexibility may be required. Interns are required to work from 5-7pm on either Monday or Thursday during both the Fall and Spring semesters. Occasional evening or weekend hours will be necessary for outreach programs.
1. Orientation
All interns are required to attend weekly orientation sessions that will be scheduled during the summer semester. Center policies and procedures, intake procedures, client scheduling, and client record-keeping will be covered, along with didactic training on topics including suicide assessment, ethical decision making, and mental status exams.
2. Screenings
Initially, interns will observe staff counselors conducting screening sessions with new clients, and learn how screening summaries are written. After observing several screening sessions with different staff counselors, interns will conduct screening sessions while a staff counselor observes the session. When both staff counselors and the intern are satisfied with the intern's level of proficiency, the intern will conduct screening sessions independently.
3. Individual Counseling
The Counseling Center staff meets twice a week to assign clients to staff and interns. New clients that are appropriate intern cases are assigned on the basis of the intern's level of training and experience, client/counselor availability, and the intern's current caseload. Every effort is made to provide interns with a variety of clients and presenting issues. Interns may also be given the opportunity to provide couples counseling.
4. Group Counseling
The Counseling Center offers group counseling opportunities each semester, depending on client interest. Examples of group topics include: relationships, self-esteem, divorce, grief, stress managment, personal growth, and assertiveness. Interns may have the opportunity to facilitate one or more groups during the year.
5. Documentation
Interns are required to document all counseling contacts in a timely manner through case notes created in the Center's documentation and scheduling software. Additional documentation may be required regarding supervision, outreach and other therapeutic activities.
6. Outreach Activities
Interns are expected to participate in outreach activities to the University community. Student groups and residence hall advisors often request that the Center present programs to students on a variety of topics. These presentations are usually made during evening hours.
7. Liability Insurance
Interns are required to carry professional liability insurance, which is available at a reduced student rate.
Weekly individual and group supervision is provided by members of the Counseling Center staff. Intern counseling sessions will be videotaped for use in both individual and group supervision. Supervision experiences may include participation in: co- facilitation of a group, in-service training, and consultation with our psychiatrist and nurse practitioners.
Personal issues or difficulties sometimes arise for interns in the course of their initial experience as counselors, or as the result of dealing with the issues generated in graduate level studies, that exceed the limitations of supervision. While current UNF students are entitled to Center services, interns are unable to obtain personal counseling at the Center during their internship. The staff is available to assist interns in locating community resources when a referral is requested.
The director and professional staff meet at the semester midpoint and at the end of each semester to complete intern evaluations. Evaluation guidelines are determined in conjunction with the policies of each intern's academic program and the expectations of the Center. Interns meet with their individual supervisors to discuss their evaluations.
Inquiries, applications and letters of recommendation should be addressed to:
Deborah Baker, Ph.D., LMHC
Coordinator of Intern Training
University of North Florida Counseling Center
Building 9, Room 1129, 1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224 - 2645(904) 620-2602
email: d.baker@unf.edu
Thank you for your interest in our program!
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