Use this website to find sites that Antioch University Seattle has worked with in the past.
Sites are tagged with information as CFT, CMHC, Drama therapy, and Art therapy. Sites tagged are ones which have recently had a student who has done that at that site. Many sites are happy to have an Art or Drama therapist they just haven't yet and therefore aren't tagged as such. If you see a site you wish to practicum at double check with that site to make sure they can accommodate your learning.
If you are a site representative and have information you would like added to your site's page please email the MA Clinical Training Office: MA_clinicaltraining.aus@antioch.edu
Practicum Process
-Two to three quarters before you would like to start practicum, register for a section of COUN 5905, which is a one-time, zero-credit informational session. Attend the information session to learn about pre-internship practicum, learn how to apply for practicum, and get your questions answered.
-The quarter before practicum, register for a section of COUN 5915, which is a zero- credit, totally asynchronous course. This course serves as your application for practicum and will walk you through the final pieces of getting ready to start.
-Before you begin, you must complete all of your necessary pre-requisite courses, meet with your advisor, and have your application approved by the faculty.
-Once registered, the expectation is that you will do your best to complete two quarters of practicum back-to-back, to ensure continuity of care for your clients. Practicum students see their clients during both breaks during practicum.
Practicum affords students the opportunity to work with real clients in a variety of settings, under university supervision, in order to begin to develop clinical skills, apply theory to practice, and be better prepared for the clinical internship experience. The agency settings for practicum include Antioch’s Community Psychology and Counseling Clinic. Since the AUS Clinic does not offer group experiences, other approved practicum sites in community agencies are available to assist in meeting this requirement. This is typically a co-led counseling group or facilitating a non-counseling support-type group. Some examples of the type of client contact, besides basic counseling opportunities, could include assisting with a parenting group, assisting in a life-skills group for older teens/young adults, Life Review activities in a nursing home, working in a drop-in shelter or day treatment center with clients, or working with a children’s social skills group.
Supervision of a student’s practicum work is provided through the CMHC “Pre-Internship Practicum” and “Supplemental Supervision” courses at Antioch University; therefore, students do not need a clinical supervisor at the approved off-campus practicum site. However, the agency does need to provide a designated person on-site who would oversee the student’s time and guide the student in agency policies and procedures.
Students will complete a total of a minimum of 100 hours of work over the two consecutive quarters, with a minimum of 40 of these hours being some form of direct client contact.
A Practicum Learning Contract is required for all students, and needs to be signed by the student, the on-site supervisor/manager, and the AUS supervisor (Supplemental Supervisor).
Information for First Quarter Practicum Students
● Be sure to complete the orientation with the AUS clinic. You will receive onboarding materials a week or two before the quarter begins. Do not delay onboarding because you cannot get a client until you have completed this process.
● In addition to your clinical site experiences at the AUS clinic, you will need a secondary practicum site experience to complete your hour requirements (e.g. group). You are encouraged to contact the Pre-Internship Practicum Coordinator or the Director of Clinical Training for assistance in securing a secondary site placement. If your site is not listed here as an existing site, it must be approved before you begin.
● Be sure to complete all paperwork, including a Practicum Learning Contract (available in COUN 5915) for your secondary site.
● Prepare for your individual supervision sessions by reviewing your sessions tapes and coming to supervision with questions. Your supervisor is there to assist and guide you, so be honest and transparent about what you need. Your supervisor is ultimately responsible for your client work, so be ready to integrate feedback and demonstrate your use of supervision to improve your client sessions.
● Know and review our Code of Professional Ethics (ACA or AAMFT). You are beginning your work with vulnerable populations in the role of a counseling professional where the attributes of respect, professionalism, and confidentiality needs to be upheld in our interaction with clients, colleagues, and staff.
● Devise and stay diligent to a personal and professional wellness plan during the quarter. Managing compassion fatigue, and the impairment this embodies, requires focused attention to balance, wellness, and reflection. Keep breathing, even in your counseling sessions...especially in your sessions! This is an exciting time in your training, and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to connect with your practicum instructor or supplemental supervisor.
In order to meet CACREP standards for practicum and internship, all Antioch CMHC students (including Art Therapy and Drama Therapy students) need to be members of the American Counseling Association (ACA), which provides professional liability coverage with the student membership. Students will need to provide proof of liability coverage before they commence any clinical services. ACA student membership information and on-line application can be found on the ACA website (www.counseling.org).