MFT 591: Supervised Practicum in Psychotherapeutic Techniques

To Enroll, please fill out the COURSE ENROLLMENT FORM

Course Description

This involves supervised work by the student in the assessment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of premarital, couple, family, and child relationships, within the scope of practice of a marriage and family therapy trainee. Students also discuss and critically reflect on issues, challenges and insights arising out of their practicum: 1) in seminars, which regularly allocate time to for faculty to teach about and for students to reflect on and discuss clinical cases, 2) in individual advising sessions with WISR faculty, and 3) in the two papers they write on their practicum experience. In the practicum and in the reflective papers, students learn about applied psychotherapeutic techniques, assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, issues of development, adjustment and maladjustment, health and wellness promotion, professional writing (including documentation of services, treatment plans and progress notes), how to find and use resources, and other counseling interventions. Students are encouraged to seek out a practicum that will give them experience in working with low-income and multicultural populations. Through the practicum experience, students are expected to give great attention to developing those personal qualities that are intimately related to the counseling situation, including integrity, sensitivity, flexibility, insight, compassion and personal presence. The course involves a minimum of 306 hours of Supervised Practicum, and the Practicum must include 150 hours of face-to-face/direct client counseling, and for those wishing to also qualify for the LPCC license, the Practicum must include 280 hours of face-to-face/direct client counseling. (Required Course).

*Credit: Minimum of 6 semester credit hours based on completing the required 306 hours of supervised practicum, along with the required term paper, faculty consultations, and seminar participation.

Elective: One additional semester credit hour awarded for each additional 51 hours of supervised practicum, over and above the 306 hours minimum required.

To be eligible for the Practicum, the student must have completed MFT 513, MFT 551, MFT 553, MFT 559, MFT 563, and MFT 567, and then be approved by two WISR MFT Faculty in a Practicum Readiness Review.

Practicum Information and State Regulations

The practicum shall include a minimum of 306 hours of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families or groups WISR requires this to obtain the necessary 6 semester units of practicum credit. Currently, State law provides that MFT students cannot get credit for more than 750 hours of counseling and supervision as pre-Master’s trainees. One could, however, get credit for as much as 1300 hours by combining 750 hours of counseling experience and supervision, with up to 250 hours for professional workshops, seminars and conferences.

REQUIRED HOURS--NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH THE STATE REQUIREMENTS ARE FOR 225 HOURS OF SUPERVISED PRACTICUM, WISR REQUIRES 306 HOURS. DETAILS ABOUT TYPES OF WORK THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRACTICUM HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Practicum requirements found at https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=4980.36&lawCode=BPC

"(B) Practicum that involves direct client contact, as follows:

(i) A minimum of six semester or nine quarter units of practicum in a supervised clinical placement that provides supervised fieldwork experience.

(ii) A minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups. [NOTE STUDENTS PURSUING THE LPCC LICENSE MUST OBTAIN 280 HOURS OF FACE-TO-FACE EXPERIENCE COUNSELING.]

(iii) A student must be enrolled in a practicum course while counseling clients, except as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 4980.42.

(iv) The practicum shall provide training in all of the following areas:

(I) Applied use of theory and psychotherapeutic techniques.

(II) Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.

(III) Treatment of individuals and premarital, couple, family, and child relationships, including trauma and abuse, dysfunctions, healthy functioning, health promotion, illness prevention, and working with families.

(IV) Professional writing, including documentation of services, treatment plans, and progress notes.

(V) How to connect people with resources that deliver the quality of services and support needed in the community.

(v) Educational institutions are encouraged to design the practicum required by this subparagraph to include marriage and family therapy experience in low income and multicultural mental health settings.

(vi) In addition to the 150 hours required in clause (ii), 75 hours of either of the following, or a combination thereof:

(I) Client centered advocacy, as defined in Section 4980.03.

(II) Face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups."

Further, as required by State regulations, you must receive on hour of clinical supervision each week at your practicum site, for every 5 hours or portion of 5 hours that you are working with clients there.

For more details about State Regulations regarding the Practicum and the MFT license, go to: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/mft_faq.pdf

For more details about State Regulations regarding the Practicum and the LPCC license, go to: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/pcci_faq.pdf

And here are some added details for students pursuing the MFT license:

California law currently requires 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience, including 104 supervised weeks, in order to qualify for LMFT licensure.

Applicants have two different options for gaining supervised experience. Hours can qualify under either Option 1 (streamlined categories) or Option 2 (multiple categories) as described below. Applicants must fully qualify under either Option 1 OR Option 2. There is no “mixing and matching” between the two categories.

Individuals who wish to qualify under Option 2 must submit an Application for Licensure postmarked no later than December 31, 2020. Otherwise the applicant must fully qualify under Option 1.

OPTION 1 – STREAMLINED CATEGORIES Under Option 1, the supervised work experience categories break down into just two overall types: • Direct counseling experience (Minimum 1,750 hours) o A minimum of 500 of the above hours must be gained diagnosing and treating couples, families and children. • Non-clinical experience (Maximum 1,250 hours) o May consist of direct supervisor contact, administering and evaluating psychological tests, writing clinical reports, writing progress or process notes, client centered advocacy, and workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences directly related to marriage, family, and child counseling.

OPTION 2 – MULTIPLE CATEGORIES This option expires on December 31, 2020 A. Individual Psychotherapy (No minimum or maximum hours required) B. Couples, Families, and Children (Minimum 500 hours – up to 150 conjoint hours may be double-counted) C. Group Therapy or Counseling (Maximum 500 hours) D. Telehealth Counseling (Maximum 375 hours) E. Administering and evaluating psychological tests of counselees, writing clinical reports and progress or process notes; client-centered advocacy (Maximum 500 hours) F. Workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences directly related to marriage, family, and child counseling (Maximum 250 hours*) G. Personal Psychotherapy received (Maximum 100 hours, triple counted*) H. Individual, Triadic and Group Supervision* * Hours earned in categories F, G and H are limited to a total combined maximum of 1,000 hours

IMPORTANT INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO BOTH OPTIONS

Limitations on Experience Hours: • Maximum 1,300 hours gained pre-degree • Maximum 750 hours of counseling and direct supervisor contact gained predegree • Maximum 40 hours of experience earned in any week between all settings • Maximum six (6) hours of individual, triadic or group supervision in any week

104 Supervised Weeks Required: These 104 weeks must contain: • One (1) hour of individual or triadic supervision, or two (2) hours of group supervision during any week in which experience is claimed • 52 weeks in which the applicant received at least one (1) hour of individual or triadic supervision

An applicant for licensure cannot be approved to sit for the clinical exam without completing both the 3,000 hours of experience AND 104 supervised weeks.

Statutes cited: BPC sections 4980.43 and 4980.43.2; Regulation cited: Title 16 CCR section 1833

And, as noted above, for more details about State Regulations regarding the Practicum and the LPCC license, go to: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/pcci_faq.pdf

Practicum Readiness Criteria and Process

WISR students are eligible to begin a practicum if they have completed the following specific courses: MFT 551 (Theories and Methods of MFT, Part I), MFT 513 (Research Methods), MFT 553 (Theories and Methods of MFT Part II), MFT 559 (Psychopathology), MFT 563 (Cross-Cultural Counseling), and MFT 567 (Professional Ethics and Law). In addition, student readiness for the practicum must be assessed and approved by two, qualified WISR graduate faculty, at least one of whom holds an MFT license. If they are then deemed ready, they may begin the practicum.

Under the State guidelines, WISR has developed a supervised fieldwork agreement (practicum contract--see "assignments" below) that must be signed by student, the field work agency and a WISR faculty person, before the practicum begins. This contract spells out in detail the responsibilities of all parties, in accordance with the California Business and Professions Code.

WISR faculty work with the training sites and the student in placement and evaluation. The law states that a “trainee” is a person who is unlicensed and is currently enrolled in a master’s or doctor’s degree program, as specified in Section 4980.40 of the California Business and Professions Code. This is also a person who has completed the equivalent of one semester of graduate level (12 semester units) coursework in the field. Students are also encouraged to seriously consider pursuing practica in two distinctly different settings, in order to enhance and broaden their experience. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to pursue their own personal therapy, to further develop those personal qualities and depth of self-awareness that will enable them to become effective therapists.

Once a student has completed the following courses--MFT 551 (Theories and Methods of MFT, Part I), MFT 513 (Research Methods), MFT 553 (Theories and Methods of MFT, Part II), MFT 559 (Psychopathology), MFT 563 (Cross-Cultural Counseling), and MFT 567 (Professional Ethics and Law)--they can request a "Practicum Readiness Evaluation"--in which they meet with two WISR Graduate Faculty (at least one of whom is a licensed MFT), so that the faculty can assess the student's readiness for the practicum, based on the student's academic performance and readiness as well as on the student's personal and intellectual qualities and readiness. These faculty members use the "Practicum Readiness Assessment" form to guide their assessment of the student's readiness to begin their practicum.

[Note to Faculty!!--Download the "Practicum Readiness Assessment" form before filling it out each time, for evaluating each student's readiness--do NOT fill out the Google Doc--otherwise you will save the evaluation of the particular student, rather than the blank form, which is what others will need to access, for each student.]

Practicum Seminars, Meeting with WISR Faculty, and Receiving Onsite Clinical Supervision

While participating in the practicum, you must be participating in at least one WISR seminar each month, to spend at least part of the seminar to discuss and learn about practicum issues. Oftentimes, WISR offers special practicum seminars, and when these are offered, these are especially valuable to students involved in, or preparing to begin, the practicum. while pursuing their practicum. In unusual circumstances, if you are unable to attend a seminar in a particular month, you must arrange an additional hour-long, individual consulting session with a faculty advisor in that month devoted exclusively to discussing issues arising in your practicum work and studies.

Quite importantly , each monthly, you should be meeting on two occasions with a WISR faculty member, especially to discuss the practicum. Further, your supervising WISR faculty member should confer monthly with your clinical supervisor about your progress.

Finally, as required by State regulations, you must receive on hour of clinical supervision each week at your practicum site, for every 5 hours or portion of 5 hours that you are working with clients there.

PRACTICUM PROGRESS EVALUATION GUIDELINES FOR WISR MFT STUDENTS

Purpose and Process of Practicum Progress Evaluation:

Evaluations of the Practicum experience are to be used in assessing your progress and learning in the Practicum, and thus, are part of satisfactory completion of the Master’s degree.

Evaluations should be written twice during the practicum if the practicum is 15 months less, and once every six months if the practicum extends beyond 15 months. If the practicum is a year or less in length, the first evaluation letter should be done near the mid-point of the practicum (earlier is better than later).

You and your supervisor should each use the following form "Practicum Progress Evaluation" for each evaluation (mid-practicum and end of practicum) and follow the instructions on the form (be sure to fill out both Part One and Part Two)--for follow up discussion between the two of you, added comments on the form, and submission to your WISR faculty practicum advisor.

[Note to Faculty!!--Download the "Practicum Progress Evaluation" before filling it out each time, for evaluating each student's readiness--do NOT fill out the Google Doc--otherwise you will save the evaluation of the particular student, rather than the blank form, which is what others will need to access, for each student. Also, give the onsite Clinical Supervisor a blank form to submit,]

At the beginning of the Practicum, you and your onsite Clinical Supervisor should review WISR’s minimum Practicum Learning Outcomes, and together you should also identify specific, added outcomes appropriate to the agency’s goals and needs, and to your interests and learning needs. All of these outcomes should be addressed in the Practicum Progress Evaluation.

How to Approach the Course

First, consult with at least one WISR faculty member when you are beginning this course, and regularly (at least once every two weeks or more often, as needed) throughout the course!!!!

Second, read through the information on a) this home page for the course, and b) the learning outcomes and measures page.

Throughout the course, you should be mindful of how what you are learning through the practicum can also contribute to your pursuing your particular interests.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SEMINAR PARTICIPATION AND MEETINGS WITH FACULTY:

Quite importantly, each monthly, you should be meeting on two occasions with a WISR faculty member, especially to discuss the practicum.

Further, your supervising WISR faculty member should confer monthly with your clinical supervisor about your progress.

The "Assignments for the Course" section below outlines the specific, required activities, and especially the specific writing assignments for the course.

Readings and Videos to Support the Practicum--the Reading Modules

For the Practicum, there are some readings and videos which have been designed, and selected, to support your practicum work, and to help you in reflecting on and writing about your practicum experiences. In each module, there is an overview to be read, a video to be watched, and then a list of readings, from which you should choose at least two to read. Each of the Reading Modules addresses a different topic, and you should be mindful of these topics when participating in the practicum, when taking reflective notes on your practicum experience, and in writing the term paper for the practicum. In order to maximize your learning in the Practicum, you are expected to do the readings and watch the video for each Module and that you do so during the first month of the practicum, or even before beginning the practicum.

Assignments for the Course

1. When beginning the Practicum, you must get approval from their faculty advisor for the practicum, and have their faculty advisor, and your practicum supervisor, review and sign the Practicum Contract.

Most importantly:

2. Your supervised practicum involvement activities (at least 306 hours of supervised practicum), and

3. You must write one or two written paper(s). It is recommended that you write two papers--one paper in the middle of your practicum experience and one near the end of the practicum, about 4 to 6 pages each. However, you have the option of writing one, especially in-depth paper at the end of the practicum, about 8 to 12 pages. The paper(s) should contain a detailed description of your practicum work—the agency and its purposes and clients served, your specific role(s), responsibilities and activities, including the client populations with whom you have been working, and also the length of time in the practicum and the number of supervised hours obtained. Further, in the paper, you should write extensively and critically about your learning experiences and insights from the practicum—your accomplishments as well as the problems and challenges encountered.

To further evaluate your practicum learning:

4. At least once in the middle of the practicum after about 6 months or so, and again at the end of the practicum, you and your practicum supervisor should engage in an evaluation of your performance. You and your supervisor should each use the following form "Practicum Progress Evaluation" for each evaluation (mid-practicum and end of practicum) and follow the instructions on the form (be sure to fill out both Part One and Part Two)--for follow up discussion between the two of you, added comments on the form, and submission to your WISR faculty practicum advisor. [For more details re-read the above section, "PRACTICUM PROGRESS EVALUATION GUIDELINES FOR WISR MFT STUDENTS."] For more details about the added steps involved with the end of practicum evaluation see #6 below.

5. At the end of the course, you are to write a self-assessment of what you learned in relation to each practicum learning outcome area, or if you prefer one outcome related to each learning learning outcome area, and two of the degree program outcomes. Include in the self-assessment what you consider to be the main evidence of your learning in the course, with respect to each outcome or outcome area. [Write about one paragraph per outcome, go to: https://sites.google.com/wisr.edu/mft591supervisedpracticum/overview-learning-outcomes-and-measures]

6. At the end of the course, you must also write an overview self-assessment, responding to the questions on WISR's Student Self-Assessment Form--describing the main highlights of your learning activities, processes, and outcomes/accomplishments. To Download your own copy of the Self-Assessment Form, and other forms used in WISR courses, go to: https://sites.google.com/wisr.edu/lms/forms

7. At the end of the course you must submit the summary of your documented Practicum hours, using the BBS hours tracking software from trackyourhours.com or a similar, detailed documenting of your hours. As per course requirements, you must have a total of at least 306 Supervised Practicum hours, including a minimum of 150 hours of direct client counseling, and for those pursuing the LPCC license, a minimum of 280 hours of direct client counseling.

8. You are to respond to a questionnaire, evaluating the course and estimating the amount of time you spent engaged in various activities for the course. Access the questionnaire at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMwgJAeDlsTpi0IxpIDQX4q5iHzQrPWvtSGaNVI90FG8YuCA/viewform?usp=header

9. At the end of the Practicum, you and your Clinical Supervisor submit a final "Practicum Progress Evaluation" and your Clinical Supervisor also submits to your faculty advisor the "Assessment of Student Performance in Practicum by Supervisor."

[Note to Faculty!!--Download the "Practicum Progress Evaluation" and the "Assessment of Student Performance in Practicum by Supervisor." before filling it out each time, and give the onsite Clinical Supervisor blank forms to submit, for evaluating each student's readiness--do NOT fill out the Google Doc--otherwise you will save the evaluation of the particular student, rather than the blank form, which is what others will need to access, for each student.]

10. Finally, your faculty advisor then conducts an oral exam with you regarding what you have learned during the practicum. This will provide you and your faculty member advisor with an opportunity to assess what you have learned and accomplished in the practicum, and to discuss next steps in your studies at WISR. This is the faculty member who has primary responsibility for evaluating your work and verifying that you have completed the practicum. The exam is intended to be a substantive conversation and retrospective examination of what you have done and learned. The questions and discussion in this exam will be guided by the contents of the Practicum Progress Evaluations, including your performance in relation to practicum learning outcomes, your term paper, and the final "Assessment of Student Performance in Practicum" that has been submitted by your supervisor. Faculty use a rubric to help them assess the quality of student comments and discussion in the oral exam.

Go to The Other Pages on this Course Web Site:

Overview: Learning Outcomes and Measures

Reading Modules

Resources

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