Overview of the School Psychology Clinic Practicum
The clinic practicum provides students an opportunity to work with clients exhibiting learning, behavioral and/or emotional problems. This practicum is completed in the Department's Psychoeducational and Counselling Clinic (1B Level, Education Building).
The Clinic Practicum is coordinated and supervised by a member of the School/Applied Child Psychology core staff. At times, an adjunct faculty member may assist the supervisor.
Student Eligibility
Students eligible for the clinic practicum must be accepted as doctoral students in the School/Applied Child Psychology Program and be in good academic standing having completed all requirements in psychological assessment (EDPC-609; EDPC-610; EDPC-682), behavioral consultation, child development, developmental psychopathology, and intervention.
Schedule and Time Requirements
The practicum experience provides a minimum of 250 hours of supervised practice. Students attend a three hour seminar weekly as well as participating in direct service delivery to clients within the clinic.
Standards for the Clinic
The goal of the practicum is to enable students to gain further experience in providing psycho-educational and mental health services to children and adolescents. Issues addressed will support and reinforce the skills previously learned through course work.
Students will have direct supervision for each case. Professional development is a critical component of the clinic experience and students are expected to demonstrate appropriate professional skills and conduct. Professional skills may require home or school visits and involves being punctual, maintaining a professional appearance, and presenting reports in a timely manner.
Students are expected to become familiar with the process of special service referral, record keeping, documentation, evaluation, placement, and remediation. As well, students become acquainted with available community resources that may augment services provided by the clinic.
In terms of assessment and diagnostic skill development, students are expected to conduct assessments related to cognitive, personality, social, and emotional functioning with children and adolescents. Where possible, students will obtain experience in conducting assessments with children from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Competence in report writing and dissemination of results to parents, teachers, children, and other professionals is required. Students may be expected, under supervision, to function as a consultant with teachers and/or parents at the elementary and secondary level. Students are expected to engage in direct intervention, short-term individual and/or family therapy, and possibly group therapy.
Responsibilities of the Clinic Supervisor
The clinic supervisor shall evaluate the student through the Student Clinic Evaluation Form, provide summative evaluations, and may add other evaluation procedures. The clinic supervisor is in charge of daily activities through student case assignments, monitoring student performance, and reviewing and discussing completed activities with the student. The clinic supervisor shall provide both individual and group supervision as required. Regular scheduling of supervision sessions will be established. Students receive frequent feedback concerning clinical services, written reports, case notes, or other required documentation.