Supervised Counselling Practicum

Description

This Supervised Counselling Practicum Unit represents the capstone of the Masters of Counselling training program. The student operates under a supervised framework, showing creativity, the application of knowledge and skill and the ability to operate with a high level of autonomy. The practicum provides the opportunity for students to refine and develop their counselling knowledge and skills within a professional counselling environment where the learning comprises the counselling of actual clients. During their practicum experience, each student practices counselling and learns under the guidance and direction of a professionally qualified and registered college approved supervisor. The practicum requires a genuine commitment to intensive supervision as a necessary means for furthering the student's professional development. The student has the opportunity to use initiative in the doing of therapy and then use this experience to reflect on best practice methods. The practicum component is designed to provide students with a supported learning milieu that is grounded in current practice and which will challenge, clarify and strengthen the student's knowledge, skills and attributes. The counselling practicum helps students to develop their own higher level competencies, such as case formulation, problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking, so that they are better prepared for ongoing professional development and are grounded in reflective practice and clinical supervision. Students are required to remain engaged in their supervised counselling practicum for one day per week for a minimum of two semesters. This unit outline is to be read in conjunction with the Counselling Practicum Guide for Supervisors and Interns. Corequisites: CO701