Practicum counselors dedicate approximately 8–12 hours per week to providing psychotherapy and other clinical services for OSU students. In addition to individual therapy, practicum counselors may engage in group therapy, triage/walk-in consultations, or Mental Health Promotion (MHP) activities, as recommended by the Practicum Coordinator, Group Coordinator, Assistant Director of Mental Health Promotion, and Individual Supervisor. We operate within a brief therapy model and provide practicum counselors with the guidance and support needed to develop their clinical skills within this framework.
Psychotherapy and Counseling: Practicum counselors gain hands-on experience conducting intake assessments and providing individual therapy. They are expected to dedicate at least 8 hours per week to individual counseling sessions. Additionally, practicum counselors may have the opportunity to co-facilitate therapy or support groups, provided they have prior group counseling training. For those without prior group training, process observation may be available before the practicum year: begins.
Consultations: As their skills progress, practicum counselors may participate in triage and/or on-call services through supervised observations and practice. During on-call shifts, counselors provide urgent support to OSU students, offering initial assessments and crisis intervention. On-call responsibilities may also include responding to phone consultations from faculty, staff, students, or parents seeking mental health advice.
Mental Health Promotion (MHP): Practicum counselors can dedicate one hour per week to campus mental health promotion and prevention activities. This work often involves building relationships with key campus stakeholders, in collaboration with a senior staff member already facilitating mental health initiatives in that area. This experience provides practicum counselors with the opportunity to contribute to the broader well-being of the university community while honing their outreach and advocacy skills.
Administrative Work: Administrative time is allocated weekly for writing intake and progress notes, preparing for supervision and seminar, and completing administrative tasks, such as scheduling clients, email, and case management.