PSYCHOLOGY FIELD EXPERIENCE Fall 2025 IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Psychology Field Experience (PFE) is a professional opportunity that involves the use of your listening skills, ability to receive and provide feedback, and individual gifting in the support of others. Students in PFE work in a social services setting under the supervision of a qualified professional to develop an understanding of the roles, rules, requirements, and systems in place to assist clients and participants. A consultation supports students doing a minimum of 65 volunteer hours in a professional setting where psychology is utilized to assist others. With instructor support, students identify and secure their PFE site during the previous quarter; and complete paperwork outlining the negotiated duties, responsibilities, and expectations of the roles they will undertake.
Securing a site experience requires your effort in showcasing your skills, learning, qualifications and experiences. Most students must interview if their current employer is not an appropriate site. This can be a challenging experience.
This is an exciting opportunity designed to help you move forward with your career goals with peer and faculty support through PFE (2 quarters required for HCP; 1 required--2 encouraged for Liberal Studies Psychology students).
When do I take Psychology Field Experience?
Typically students take this course after they've completed courses in our Mission Core and completed the requirements for their concentration. Check in with your advisor regarding timing, and be sure to let them know of any plans you have that might interfere with the completion of hours.
Who do I contact with questions or to begin the process?
Reach out to Sara Beth Lohre (slohre@antioch.edu) or Misha Frazier (jfrazier3@antioch.edu) for information on upcoming info sessions, placement opportunities, interview strategizing and more! Please use an email subject line of “Psychology Field Experience” or call/text Sara Beth at 206-953-8210.
Securing a Site
Secure a site the quarter before you plan to begin (or continue) work at. This class requires that you complete 65 hours of PFE during the ten weeks of the quarter, plus 5 hours of peer consultation during 5 required class sessions. You must have a site in place by week 2 of the quarter or you will need to drop the course and take it when your site is secured.
If you are not currently working at a site that uses psychology to support clients, securing a site for your experience typically begins with :
A lead from a personal or professional contact or other networking
Talking with their social services employer (paid work may be optimal and is encouraged, and is not required)--finding a job in the field is an excellent idea for this work! Need ideas? Talk with Sara Beth.
Consult with faculty Sara Beth Lohre slohre@antioch.edu 206-953-8210 to discuss ideas, locations, and determine next steps once you’ve done some brainstorming about where you would like to work, what is local and accessible to you given transportation/hours the site needs/your schedule–you can start this brainstorm by accessing volunteermatch.org for some ideas. Sara Beth has connections with alumni and graduate students working at sites that may be a desirable match.
Utilizing volunteermatch.org to become familiar with sites located nearby with workable hours available and volunteer coordinator contact info. You will access the volunteer coordinator here. You can also search the website of an organization you find this way to learn about paid work opportunities.
Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed are excellent networking sites
call 211 to request resource referral information (please have some general categories/ideas before doing this)
Crisis Connections is incredible free training. I am happy to connect you with my contact there. This is only one option... If you're already volunteering there, excellent! Just register for class. Note: you may only count hours worked during the quarter you are registered for.
Trevor Project has been a popular choice for remote/online experience.
Register for PSYC-4950-3: Psychology Field Experience the way you normally register for class. Ideally you will have already secured a site before you register. Pay attention to quarter drop dates to avoid payment if you have not yet secured your site. Please review instructions laid out here for identifying a site where you will develop skills, experience, and receive support for your professional development in the fields of psychology and human services.