Rooted in a commitment to culturally competent and evidence-based practices, the SHAW Counseling Services at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) offers training opportunities for psychology practicum students looking for careers in mental health.
SHAW addresses the needs of students to promote psychological health among UWM undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Students seek mental health services for a variety of reasons, including transition issues, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating/body image issues, trauma/sexual assault, alcohol/substance abuse issues, and interpersonal issues, among others. SHAW offers a menu of interventions for students, including individual and group counseling, psychiatric services, case management, crisis services, and outreach and prevention services.
Advanced Doctoral Practicum Student Opportunity
SETTING: The Student Health and Wellness Center Counseling Services provides outpatient mental health services to the diverse student body of 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students of an urban research university. These services are provided by a multidisciplinary team of licensed psychologists, social workers, professional counselors and psychiatrists within an integrated mental health, medical and wellness center. SHAW provides over 7500 outpatient appointments each year for evaluation, psychotherapy, medication management, crisis intervention and group treatment. It also provides outreach and prevention-oriented services. SHAW is also accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.
PRACTICUM: This practicum is a 9-month advanced practicum in college mental health spanning the 2023-2024 academic year. It will be 20 hours per week and will include the option of providing clinical services during winter break. SHAW anticipates 2 practicum position openings dependent on applicants’ fit with the setting’s needs. The position will primarily involve onsite intake assessments, follow-up counseling/psychotherapy and some limited outreach work. Other clinical work will be determined based upon the interests and competencies of the practicum students and the availability of options at the site. These could include group and couple therapy as well as psychoeducational groups. The client and program needs require that the practicum candidate already possess advanced diagnostic and therapy skills. Half of the practicum hours will be set aside for direct service work.
Supervision will include a minimum of two hours of individual supervision per week. Depending on the schedules of the practicum students, group supervision may be an option. The supervisor will be a licensed mental health professional in the discipline of the practicum student.
This advanced practicum placement requires prior practicum experience in which the student was responsible for seeing clients for individual counseling, including conducting intake assessments, providing diagnostic impressions in alignment with the DSM-5, developing treatment plans, implementing intervention strategies, and documenting interactions with clients. This practicum requires a commitment of 20 hours per week during the academic year for direct and indirect services. Verification of personal malpractice insurance coverage and completion of a background check are required prior to the commencement of the practicum.
Goodness of Fit
Practicum students who are a “good fit” for our practicum program are those who display interest in training/supervision from varied perspectives and worldviews, cultural humility and openness, creativity, and a commitment to growth as a clinician. Prospective practicum students should also demonstrate a willingness for self-reflection and being challenged within a supportive environment.
What Will You Get from the Program?
- Experiences providing therapy for college students with diverse concerns from multicultural backgrounds
- Experiences in working within an interdisciplinary team
- Exposure to various psychotherapy approaches and techniques (e.g., interpersonal, psychodynamic, person centered, CBT, mindfulness-based approaches)
- Training in case management skills, clinical consultation skills and skills in coordination of care with other providers and/or campus partners
- Emphasis on increasing awareness of intersecting identities in both clinical work and professional development
Sample Practicum Weekly Schedule:
- 8-10 hours per week of individual counseling
- Co-facilitating a therapy group for 1 semester
- Additional direct service opportunities include crisis intervention and outreach programming
Indirect service opportunities include:
- 2 hours per week of individual supervision with your primary supervisor
- 2 hour of weekly group supervision or didactic trainings to address clinical and practice issues
- Attendance at clinical (e.g., psychiatric consultation) and non-clinical (e.g., staff in-service) meetings, as appropriate.
- 2-5 hours per week for case notes, report writing, preparation, etc.
Application Process
To apply for this practicum opportunity, applicants must submit the following:
- Letter of interest including a summary of your prior experience with counseling, the number of direct face-to-to face client contact hours you have; and your training goals.
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Graduate transcripts (these may be unofficial)
- Two letters of recommendation including one from your director of clinical training attesting to your readiness, and another professional reference from a clinical supervisor familiar with your work
The application deadline is January 12, 2024. Application materials and/or questions about the application process or the practicum placement should be directed to:
Jeb Ebben, Interim Training Director
(they/them/theirs)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Student Health and Wellness Center
Northwest Quadrant, Building D, 8th floor
PO Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413
414-229-7429
jtebben@uwm.edu
All practicum application materials may be sent via e-mail to jtebben@uwm.edu
Applications will be accepted until mid-January and aim to schedule “in-person” virtual interviews in early to mid-February.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, qualified women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.