We appreciate your interest in our Psychotherapy Practicum. If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rebecca Gonzalez
Practicum Program Coordinator
Graduate Practicum Training Program
Practicum Program Description
The Practicum Program at the Texas State University Counseling Center provides training in individual counseling. Practicum Counselors are typically students in their second or third year of their doctoral program in counseling or clinical psychology or students in the second year of a master's program in psychology or counseling. The Practicum is a 9-month training program that focuses on: (a) becoming an effective generalist practitioner who is guided by knowledge of clinical theory, (b) developing an increasing awareness of ethical/legal/professional standards of practice, (c) understanding the intersection of identity and mental health, and (d) developing an openness to learning. We strive to meet you where you are as a trainee and encourage you to develop your own therapeutic orientation during your year here as a Practicum Counselor. Practicum Counselors work with Texas State students who present with a wide variety of issues, including adjustment disorders, difficulties in managing stress and affective concerns, relationship and developmental problems, issues of self-esteem and self-worth, and challenges in transitioning to college life. Our staff and training program is multidisciplinary, involving psychologists, licensed professional counselors, a case manager, and psychiatrists. We value a range of therapeutic perspectives within our staff and hope that our training environment enriches the professional development of our trainees. The Counseling Center encourages an "open-door" policy which helps form a productive working alliance between staff and trainees in our Center.
Eligibility
We require potential applicants to our program to have obtained at least two semesters (preferably three) of basic graduate coursework in counseling or psychology.
We have three positions in our Practicum Program annually. We recruit our Practicum Counselors from master's and doctoral programs in the Austin-San Antonio area.
Activities and Responsibilities
- Practicum Counselors are asked to engage in a minimum of 14 hours each week at the Counseling Center with one of those days being Friday (this required day could change depending on the availability and needs of the incoming cohort).
- Practicum Counselors will work with the Practicum Coordinator to identify a schedule that will fit both the Counselor’s and Center’s needs. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the cohort and Practicum Coordinator, the Practicum Counselor must be at the Center from 8:00am to 12:00pm on Fridays.
- Clinical Supervision
- Practicum Counselors are supervised by Pre-doctoral Psychology Interns, who in turn are supervised by a Licensed Psychologist.
- All Practicum Counselors receive one hour of individual supervision from their intern supervisor and one hour of group supervision with a Staff Psychologist weekly.
- All supervision of the Practicum Counselors is overseen by the Practicum Coordinator.
- Orientation
- Prior to seeing clients, Practicum Counselors participate in one week of extensive orientation to the Center and the University.
- Orientation includes an overview of the policies and procedures of the Center as well as the opportunity to meet the staff in a relaxed, collegial setting. It also includes an introduction to key offices with which the counseling center regularly interacts.
- Additional Opportunities
- Opportunities for group psychotherapy experiences and university community outreach activities may be available for Practicum Counselors who express an interest in participating in these areas.
Thank you for your interest, however, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year.
If you are interested in applying for our Psychotherapy Practicum, please complete the application and attach the requested information using the requested File Drop link. Following submission and review of application materials, selected applicants will be invited to an interview.
Please include the following titles and your name on each page.
If you need additional information on the TxState Practicum Program please contact us.
**If you cannot attach the files needed for this application, please send them via postal mail to the following address:
Practicum Coordinator
Counseling Center
Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666