Training Director: Kristin L. Faust, PsyD
Description of Setting: The Counseling Center provides direct psychological services, consultation, and student development programming to the IUP community. It also serves as a training site for graduate students from IUP's Clinical Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. Trainees from other programs will be considered based on the needs of the Center, their own training needs and requirements, and their competitiveness with other applicants.
Nature of Experience: Graduate trainees are responsible for providing individual and group psychotherapy/counseling, intake and triage, and outreach programming on campus. Graduate assistants also participate in the Center's on-call rotation during the Center's daylight hours. A graduate trainee can expect to work with a range of intellectually and emotionally challenging client concerns, including anxiety and stress; depression and grief; physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse; eating disorders; individuation; sexuality and sexual identity; and peer and family relationships, in addition to other concerns.
Supervision and Training: Trainee caseloads vary depending on the nature of the placement (practicum, assistantship, field placement, internship) and on the hour requirements of the position (e.g., quarter-time versus half-time). All graduate trainees are assigned a faculty supervisor (psychologist, licensed professional counselor) with whom they meet for one hour of weekly supervision. Trainees also attend training meetings for two hours weekly, which address clinical and professional issues related to working with the Center's student population.
Course Prerequisites: Individual counseling or intervention courses. A group course is necessary if interested in leading groups. Depending on the trainee's program and the position sought, a master's degree may be required, a certain number of post-baccalaureate credits may be required, or specific training experiences may be required. Some previous clinical experience is required.
Time and Credit Requirements
Clinical Psychology (PsyD) Students:
- Practicum: Three semester credits (10 hours per week) during consecutive fall and spring semesters.
- Graduate Assistantship (half-time): Twenty hours per week during consecutive fall and spring semesters. Hours must be distributed over a minimum of three days per week. Standard GA stipend/tuition package.
- Graduate Assistantship (quarter-time): Ten hours per week during consecutive fall and spring semesters.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) Students:
- Practicum: Students participate in a 75-hour (30 direct hours) master's level, supervised counseling practicum.
- Field Experience: Inquire for more information.
Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD) Students:
- Practicum: First-year students participate in a 100-hour (40 direct hours) supervised counseling practicum.
- Field Experience: Students participate in a 300-hour intensive supervised capstone field experience. Inquire for more information.