First Practicum Advice?

[zeldazelda]

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I am about to do my first practicum next semester and am interested in your advice (assuming you've done a practicum). I am doing this through an undergraduate institution to get clinical experience and to be better prepared for a doctoral program. It will likely be about two days a week and will involve direct patient contact, but I honestly don't know what to expect. We are still identifying the placement site. My formal psychology background is limited although I have been doing a lot of reading in the field. Obviously I am consulting with my advisor at the university, but I thought you might have helpful advice too.

So here's what I'm wondering:

• If you only had a month to prepare for your first practicum, knowing what you know now, what would you do?
• What 1-3 books would help me prepare the best?
• What do you think is key to a successful practicum?
• What are the most important things to do and/or avoid?
• What advice do you have about supervision?
• Anything else?

Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer.

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

I am about to do my first practicum next semester and am interested in your advice (assuming you've done a practicum). I am doing this through an undergraduate institution to get clinical experience and to be better prepared for a doctoral program. It will likely be about two days a week and will involve direct patient contact, but I honestly don't know what to expect. We are still identifying the placement site. My formal psychology background is limited although I have been doing a lot of reading in the field. Obviously I am consulting with my advisor at the university, but I thought you might have helpful advice too.

So here's what I'm wondering:

• If you only had a month to prepare for your first practicum, knowing what you know now, what would you do?
• What 1-3 books would help me prepare the best?
• What do you think is key to a successful practicum?
• What are the most important things to do and/or avoid?
• What advice do you have about supervision?
• Anything else?

Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer.

Excellent questions.

1. Do not panic, knowing this: the highest efficacy factors have nothing to do with what you know, but how empathic you come accross and that you build a therapeutic alliance with the client.

2. That depends on what your supervisor wants to do. It will be modality driven, I would suspect.

3. Ask questions of your supervisor no matter how stupid they seem. They want to help you.

4. Never be afraid to ask tough assessment questions about self-harm. It makes you look like you can't handle it. If the client says "yes I have thought about killing myself" don't freak out.

5. Start good habits now. Read last weeks notes ahead of time, Do your notes right after the session, dress nice. These things let your supervisor know you are serious.

6. WHEN you make a mistake, remember this: you have many sessions to go and you are not going to drive some horrible disorder into the clients psychopathology.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

1. If you only had a month to prepare for your first practicum, knowing what you know now, what would you do?

Relax. I'd probably take the time to reflect about my strengths, weaknesses, and things I want to learn. Obviously you won't really know many of these things as they apply clinically, but you can get a general idea.

2. What 1-3 books would help me prepare the best?

1. The Gift of Therapy (Irvin Yalom)
2. A general book on your orientation
3. A more philosophical book on your orientation

3. What do you think is key to a successful practicum?

Understand that you are there to learn, and be open to feedback. Have open communication with your supervisor, and don't be afraid to ask questions! Understand your boundaries, and have an idea about what you are comfortable disclosing (I always ask myself the purpose of any disclosure), etc.

4. What are the most important things to do and/or avoid?

DO be on top of the literature, it really helped me stay informed. Make sure you really know your orientation well. People often call themselves 'eclectic'...but only know a bit about each, which is not eclectic.

5. What advice do you have about supervision?

Ask questions! It is okay to not know the answers. My supervisors greatly enhanced my experience, and they became great mentors.

6. Anything else?Thank you for any advice you may be able to offer.

You will spend a lot more time than you think. Everything from assessments to reading through charts will take longer than you think....so plan your time accordingly.

-t

 

[docma]

Therapeutic Communication by Paul Wachtel is a great book to read and then re-read in the process of mastering therapeutic work.

 

[psychanon]

It sounds like you are an undergrad (or at least not yet a grad student)??? In that case, you won't really be doing therapy-- maybe you'll be more in a supportive counseling role, but you should think of yourself as a psychotherapist as you haven't been trained as such. That said, there is a lot you can take from a clinical experience. What kind of population is it? I'm sure it's probably one you've had little experience with before-- take it as an opportunity to really understand what psychopathology looks like (it's not all like the DSM-IV). Become comfortable with talking to people, getting to know them, etc. Read about Rogerian counselling (I don't have any specific books or citations in mind, but I'm sure you can find one)-- being reflective & empathetic. Above all, use it as an opportunity to figure out what kinds of populations you may be interested in working with in the future-- and what populations you are not interested in working with (an equally important consideration).

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Ahh...I missed the part about undergrad, I'd agree it may be in a more supportive role. Rogers is a great recommendation. He has a couple classic writings. I think I recommended them in the book thread....let me check.

*edit*

I guess not.

"On Becoming A Person"
"A Way of Being"

Both by Carl Rogers. Read reviews of them, and see if either sound interesting. They aren't 'must reads', but I think they are great books to read every few years for anyone who is in or wants to go into this field.

-t

 

[JR in SB]

Ahh...I missed the part about undergrad, I'd agree it may be in a more supportive role. Rogers is a great recommendation.
-t

Rogers makes me smile. 😀