Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
| PRACTICUM /INTERNSHIP INFORMATION |
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Wecome to the online Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum/Internship Handbook (Rev. 08/09) and site/agency placement database. This page is currrently under development and your patience is greatly appreciated.
Appalachian State University’s master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) since 1983 and is accredited in community counseling through 2013. Thus, the requirements for both practicum and internship in clinical mental health counseling meet the standards as set forth by CACREP.
Download the .PDF version of the entire Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum Internship Handbook (Rev. 08/09). Please note all forms on this page are property of ASU's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Please do not reproduce these forms without proper consent and credit to the program.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
PRACTICUM REQUIREMENTS: Practicum in Counseling (HPC 5900)
Students must complete supervised practicum experiences that total a minimum of 100 clock hours (average of 8 hours per week over one 15 week semester). This practicum provides for the development of counseling skills under supervision. The student’s practicum includes all of the following:
- A minimum of 40 hours of direct service with clients, including experience in individual and group work. Direct service includes individual, group, family, or marital/relationship counseling, intakes, and consultation. The remaining 60 hours should involve opportunities for the practicum student to become familiar with a variety of professional activities in addition to direct services (e.g., record keeping, referral services, inservice, meetings, conferences, professional development, etc.);
- Weekly interaction with an average of one (1) hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision which occurs regularly over a minimum of one academic term by an approved on-site practicum supervisor;
- Weekly interaction with an average of one (1) hour per week of group of individual and/or triadic supervision which occurs regularly over a minimum of one academic term by a university program faculty member or a supervisor working under the supervision of a university program faculty member;
- An average of one and one half (1 ½) hours per week of group supervision that is provided on a regular schedule over the course of the student’s practicum by a university program faculty member or a supervisor under the supervision of a university program faculty member, and;
- Evaluation of the student’s performance throughout the practicum including a formal evaluation after the student completes the practicum.
INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (HPC 6900)
The program requires students to complete a supervised internship of 600 clock hours (average of 40 hours per week over one 15 week semester or 20 hours per week over two 15 week semesters) that is begun after successful completion of the student’s practicum. The internship provides an opportunity for the student to perform, under supervision, a variety of counseling activities that a professional counselor is expected to perform. The student’s internship includes the following:
- 240 hours of direct service with clients appropriate to the program of study. Direct service includes individual, group, family, or marital/relationship counseling, intakes, and consultation. The remaining 360 hours should involve opportunities for the internship student to become familiar with a variety of professional activities in addition to direct services (e.g., record keeping, referral services, inservice, meetings, conferences, professional development, etc.);
- Weekly interaction with an average of one (1) hour per week of individual and/or triadic supervision which occurs regularly over a minimum of one academic term by an approved on-site internship supervisor;
- An average of one and one half (1 ½) hours per week of group supervision provided on a regular schedule throughout the internship, usually performed by a university program faculty member;
- Evaluation of the student’s performance throughout the internship including a formal evaluation after the student completes the internship.
REQUIREMENTS TO BE A PRACTICUM OR INTERNSHIP SITE SUPERVISOR:
A practicum or internship site supervisor must have:
- A minimum of a master’s degree in counseling or related profession (e.g., marriage and family therapist, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist) with equivalent qualifications, including appropriate certifications and/or licenses;
- A minimum of two (2) years of pertinent professional experience in the program area in which the student is completing clinical instruction; and
- Knowledge of the program’s expectations, requirements, and evaluation procedures for students.
DOWNLOAD PRACTICUM/INTERNSHIP FORMS:
SITE/AGENCY PLACEMENT DATABASE
For your convenience, we have made a list available online of recent student practicum and internship site placements to give you an example of where you may be able to receive your clinical training. *Please contact your advisor to discuss prospective placements before contacting these agencies and sites.
You can also visit the HPC Office for the most updated information on practicum and internship placements, which includes important details about each site in the database. The site and agency database may not be removed from the HPC office, so students must view the information in person at this time.
Recent Student Placements for Practicum and Internship:
New River Behavioral Health: New River Behavioral HealthCare is a local intergovernmental agency whose mission is to provide high quality, affordable, cost-effective and person-centered behavioral health care services and supports so that people with disabilities can live successfully in their chosen communities. New River offers individual, couples, and family counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Crisis services are also available.
Blue Mountain Center for Healing the Healing Arts: The Blue Mountain Center for the Healing Arts is a private practice counseling center that offers individual, group, couples, and family counseling to clients of all ages. The staff of Blue Mountain Center for the Healing Arts take a holistic approach to wellness and counseling through offering traditional counseling, expressive arts therapy, outdoor experiences, relaxation and stress reduction training, educational and outreach workshops, massage therapy and bodywork services, and other creative approaches to healing.
Oasis, Inc.: Oasis is an organization dedicated to the reduction and cessation of domestic violence and sexual assault in our region. To reach it's mission, Oasis provides a confidential emergency shelter, short-term crisis counseling, community referrals, case management, support groups, medical and legal advocacy, and educational outreach programs to the greater community.
Lees-McRae College: Lees-McRae College is a private liberal arts college located in Banner Elk, NC, about 30 minutes from Boone. The college's counseling center offers consultations, individual counseling, short-term group counseling, mental health screenings, wellness education, and expressive arts outreach to the campus community.
Appalachian State University Counseling & Psychological Services: Appalachian State University's Counseling Center offers short-term individual, group, and couples/family counseling to the campus community. The Counseling Center also coordinates wellness outreach, biofeedback services, alcohol and other drug services, the eating concerns team, mental health screenings, and crisis/emergency services.
Appalachian State University Peer Career Center: The Peer Career Center offers one-on-one paraprofessional counseling to students in academic major and career decision making. Interns are trained to interpret a variety of self-assessment inventories and assist students in conducting career research taking into consideration the student's life interests, values, and/or abilities.
McLeod Addictive Disease Center: The McLeod Center provides comprehensive addictive disease treatment services which treat the whole individual - physically, mentally, and spiritually. The McLeod Center services six regions in western North Carolina: Boone, Hickory, Marion, Gastonia, Statesville, Concord, Charlotte, and Monroe. Services offered vary by each location but may include: adult services, adolescent services, outpatient programs, methodone treatment, court referred treatment, residential services, and aftercare.
Hospice - High Country Healthcare System: Hospice is a specialized team approach to care for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Available services at High Country Healthcare System/Hospice include: nursing care, support from medical social workers, chaplain services, bereavement support, companionship, medications related to terminal illness, medical equipment, and Camp Sunshine, a day camp for children who have lost a loved one.
Watauga Medical Center - Cancer Support Alliance: In conjunction with The Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, the Cancer Support Alliance is a community membered alliance that offers supplemental services to local cancer patients through volunteer services, in-kind donations, fundraising, grant funding, and the support of Watauga Medical Center. Services and programming opportunities have included: massage therapy, expressive arts services, support groups, wellness and fitness programs, nutritional counseling, outreach services, and education programs.
