PSYC 6590 Clinical Practicum I, Section 1

PSYC 6590 Clinical Practicum I, Section 1

CRN: 80211

3.0 credit hours

Thursdays: 12:45-2:00

Dr. PearlChang

Magnolia Hall, Room 106

Phone: (678) 466-4888

Fax: (678) 466-4899

E-mail: (preferred mode of contact)

Office hours:

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Pre-requisite: Admission into the M.S. program in the clinical psychology track with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and permission from the program coordinator and practicum coordinator. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and successfully acquiring a practicum site within a month of starting this course.

Course Description:This graduate-level course is a three-hour, full-semester experiential course that monitors students’practicum in mental health settings. As part of the course this semester, students will secure an external practicum site, receive on-site supervision, and perform 300 hours of total services with 40% of these hours being direct hours. Our program requires students to complete 600 supervised hours of clinical work (an average of 20 hours per week, with 40% direct patient care). Hours that can be calculated include individual therapy, intake interviews or assessments, staffing and/or treatment team consultation, writing progress/treatment notes, summaries and assessments, group therapy or psycho-educational groups with diverse populations. Direct hours are counted only as direct interaction with your clients (i.e. individual or group therapy, assessments and intakes).Students are also required to have liability insurance.

Required Materials:

1.)Textbook Information (optional):Gehart, D. Theory and Treatment Planning in Counseling and Psychotherapy, 1st-edition. Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2016.

2.)As provided by instructor.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Use critical thinking skills to conceptualize the diagnostic, treatment, cultural, and ethical issues related to a clinical case.
• Evaluate which therapeutic models and techniques are most appropriate for a particular clinical case.
• Examine the student’s own personal style and how it interacts with case conceptualization and therapeutic choices.
• Reflect on and track the student’s professional growth and challenges as a developing clinician.
• Use interpersonal and written communication effectively and professionally.

Educational Objectives: The student will gain experience in

• Individual therapy (required)
• Conducting psychosocial intake interviews or assessments (required)
• Participating in staffing and/or treatment team consultation (required)
• Assessment (this can include administering standardized surveys, inventories, checklists or questionnaires) (preferred)
• Writing progress/treatment notes or summaries (required)
• Working with groups either through a psycho-educational workshop or therapy (preferred)
• Working with diverse populations (preferred)

Practicum Training Requirements: Clayton State University’s Master of Clinical Psychology program emphasizes learning to consider the uniqueness of each individual and the influence of culture and ethnicity when providing clinical services. We train our students so that they may become Licensed Professional Counselors upon completion of the program. Prior to beginning their practicum experience, students must complete an advanced psychopathology & diagnosis course, two psychological assessment courses, a course in foundational clinical skills, and a theories and practice of psychotherapy course. They complete a second therapeutic intervention course (Group Therapy) concurrent with their practicum experience. Our program requires students to complete 600 supervised hours of clinical work (an average of 20 hours per week, with 40% direct patient care). These are minimum training requirements that in no way prevent students from committing to longer internship/practicum periods. However, students are restricted from working more than 30 hours per week. Students must attend class the practicum class or will fail to fulfill practicum requirements during these days/times. The following list outlines our educational objectives and criteria for student’s practicum experiences.

Site Criteria: The practicum site will

• Provide formal supervision weekly for 45-50 minutes by a designated licensed supervisor (individual supervision preferred as appropriate to the site)
• Supervision must be provided by a licensed professional counselor, MFT, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist who is three years post-licensure
• Provide diversity in clinical experiences
• Report any problems or concerns with the student to the Clinical Practicum Coordinator or Practicum Course Instructor
• Complete two evaluation forms per semester for the student
• Provide appropriate space for performance of practicum duties
• Provide an average of 20 hours of clinical experiences per week

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• use critical thinking skills to assess mental health and implement effective interventions using a variety of therapeutic modalities and theoretical approaches (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic).

• understand and apply ethical standards to the provision of psychological services in the community.

• demonstrate knowledge and skills to intervene effectively with individuals from varying cultural backgrounds.

• interpret and apply research methods and statistical techniques to advance the study and practice of clinical psychology.

• use interpersonal and written communication effectively and professionally

Learning Outcomes: The following are the mission statement and the 5 learning outcomes for the M.S. Program in Clinical Psychology. The Mission of the Master’s program in Clinical Psychology is to prepare students to be competent, ethical practitioners of psychological services in the community. Students will develop skills in psychological assessment, and in a variety of therapeutic modalities, including individual, family, couples, and group therapy. Students will be able to apply knowledge from various theoretical frameworks (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic) to intervene effectively with a wide variety of psychological problems. The program emphasizes learning to consider the uniqueness of each individual and the influence of culture and ethnicity when providing services to people from diverse backgrounds. Students will be expected to develop self-awareness, empathy, and compassion for the people struggling with mental health problems. This program will prepare graduates to work in a broad range of mental health settings. The program will also prepare students who wish to pursue doctoral training in clinical or counseling psychology.

EVALUATIONS

This is a course in which students will receive an “Incomplete”, “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory”. In addition to the points you accumulate during the course of the semester (see attached document), students’ practicum supervisors will also be asked to evaluate students’ progress throughout the semester, which will be factored into your overall semester grade. Supervisors will be asked to submit a midterm and final semester evaluation. If students perform poorly at their practicum site, then the student will receive either an “Incomplete” or “Unsatisfactory” in this course depending on the situation. Additionally, students are required to meet minimum expectations of the course to be eligible to receive a passing grade in this course (see attached document). Please remember that an “Unsatisfactory” grade is equivalent to a failing grade.

Course Attendance Policy: Attendance is expected for all class periods.Tardiness and/or leaving class early also counts as an absence. Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or legal authority and submitted within 2 days. More than 2 dismissals from class will result in a drop in your final letter grade.

Grades and Practicum Hours: Students are responsible for keeping track of their grades and their practicum hours during the course of the semester. Each student is responsible for turning in their weekly hours log at the beginning of class. The log will document your weekly activities and will require your supervisor to sign-off on these hours.

Mid-term Progress Report: Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W." Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, or withdraw on-line using the Swan by mid-term. Instructions for withdrawal can be found using this link:

INFORMATION REGARDING TECHNOLOGY USAGE

In-class use of Student laptop computers: If this is course has a seated component, students are NOT allowed to use laptops in the classroom unless otherwise specified.

Computer Requirement: Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to

Computer Skill Prerequisites: Students are required to be able to useWindowsTM operating system, Microsoft WordTM word processing, send and receive e-mail using OutlookTM or Outlook ExpressTM, attach and retrieve attached files via email, Web browser, Adobe Acrobat and Desire2Learn (D2L). Students must be able to attach and retrieve attached files via email and be able to use a web browser with all necessary components supplementary to D2L. Only use your CSU e-mail account or the e-mail system includedin D2L to communicate academic information to your instructor.

Desire2Learn (D2L): If this is a hybrid or purely online course, activity will take place in Desire2Learn, the virtual classroom for the course. However, please expect that class announcements and materials will be posted on D2L regardless of the format of the class. Students should be proficient in completing basic assignments on D2L. Posting of your work in D2L is a course requirement.Contact The HUB (see above for student resources) to ensure that you have complete student access to all the programs required for this course. Students can gain access to Desire2Learn, by signing on to the SWAN portal and selecting “D2L” on the top right side. Students will need to provide the date and time of the problem, your SWAN username, the name of the course that you are attempting to access, and your instructor's name.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

General Policy: Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Handbook and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities Handbook: or

A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF. A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at:

Academic Dishonesty: Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Community Standards. Judicial procedures are described in the Student Resource Handbook (Procedures for Adjudicating Alleged Academic Conduct Infractions beginning on page 16). Be considerate, especially when taking exams, that any suspicious activity (ie. wandering eyes, talking)) will be taken into special consideration.

See the following links for further details:

Plagiarism Detection Software: Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. You should submit your papers in such a way that no identifying information about you is included.

University Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

UNIVERSITY OUTCOMES

General education outcomes: The Clayton State University Core Curriculum outcomes (see Area D) are located on pages 107 and 108 of the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook. Additionally, Students will examine and apply concepts of social identity and individual differences, such as ethnicity, race, gender, age, class, ability or sexual orientation.

Program Learning Outcomes: The Mission of the Department of Psychology is to provide an innovative blend of theory, research and application that prepares students for immediate employment and graduate school. We strive to provide excellent instruction, preparation for working with diverse populations and a focus on ethics are hallmarks of our programs. Students in our program learn to

1. Apply the major concepts, findings, and theoretical perspectives of psychology
2. Evaluate research critically and apply research methodologies used in psychology
3. Demonstrate effective, professional oral and written communication skills both individually and with groups
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and career opportunities for those with psychology-related degrees
5. Apply the ethical standards set forth by the American Psychological Association
6. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and cultural differences and their influences on beliefs, values, and interactions with others
7. Interact effectively with people of diverse abilities, backgrounds, and cultural perspectives instruction, preparation for working with diverse populations and a focus on ethics are hallmarks of our programs.

Operation Study: At Clayton State University, we expect and support high motivation and academic achievement. Look for Operation Study activities and programs this semester that are designed to enhance your academic success such as study sessions, study breaks, workshops, and opportunities to earn Study Bucks (for use in the University Bookstore) and other items. See the following site for details:

STUDENT RESOURCES

If students are seeking accommodations, students must contact the Office of Disabilities and have them notify the professor of this as soon as possible (see below for resources).

1.Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445,

2.The Writers Studio website -

3.Counseling and Psychological Services -

4.The HUB: If you experience any difficulties in Desire2Learn, please email or call The HUB r (678) 466-HELP.

5.Center for Academic Success website - the fall, spring, and summer semesters, the Center for Academic Success (CAS) provides personalized one-on-one peer and professional staff tutoring in over 100 core subjects. We are located in Edgewater Hall Suite 276. The CAS also offers moderated study groups, informal study sessions, a comfortable study environment, a student study lounge, and it’s all free! Come see us if you need help, come BE a tutor if you don’t. Don’t wait until it’s too late. At the CAS, your academic success is right around the corner! For more information you can e-mail us!

REFLECTION PAPER RUBRIC

Grading rubric: Papers will be graded out of 4 points. Below is the grading rubric that students abide by:

Points

0-Student did not participate; Assignment was turned in late; Answers are irrelevant and off-topic. Assignments are late. Student did not utilize feedback properly from the professor.

1-Student answered a minor part of the questions; Answer includes grammatical errors that renders the answer incomprehensible; Student demonstrated minimum knowledge and answer to the material. Student demonstrates a low ability to integrate appropriate grammar, scientific writing and adherence to APA guidelines. Assignments are late. Student may have attempted to utilize feedback from the professor but did not apply the feedback to the assignment.

2-Student answered at least half of the question accurately; Answer is confusing or vague. Student demonstrates some ability to integrate appropriate grammar, scientific writing and adherence to APA guidelines. Assignments are late. Student somewhat utilized feedback from the professor but did not accurately make revisions.

3-Answers are thoughtful but not entirely accurate; Student demonstrates understanding of most of the material but may lack insight to portions of the covered material. Student demonstrates an acceptable ability to integrate appropriate grammar, scientific writing and adherence to APA guidelines. Student utilized feedback from the professor and applied them to a large part of the assignment. Assignments are turned in on time.

4-Answers are thoughtful and superb; Answers provided are correct with relevant information; Student demonstrates a clear understanding to the question and answer provided. Student demonstrates a superb ability to integrate appropriate grammar, scientific writing and adherence to APA guidelines. Student utilized feedback from the professor and applied them accurately as well as professionally to the assignment. Assignments are turned in on time.

*The professor reserves the right to make changes to any parts of this syllabus to meet the class’s educational goals more effectively as needed. Students who miss any classes are still responsible for changes in the syllabus which would be announced in class. Please see additional attachment for course dates and tentative assignments.

MINI CASE PRESENTATION RUBRIC

1. Case Description (presentation of client info in a professional manner utilizing appropriate concepts and vernacular including relevant demographic, clinical info, session #s, etc):

1. Case Conceptualization (identify symptoms, diagnoses, etiology and proposed treatment, any rule-out diagnosis or dual diagnosis):

1. Theoretical Orientation(s) (student is able to connect conceptualization and chosen therapeutic interventions to the correct theoretical orientations)

1. Self-awareness/ multicultural components and ethical concerns (identification of personal biases and issues that influence therapy):

1. Presentation was thorough and presented to class in a professional manner. Student has shown evident planning, preparation and execution of the case.

To include in your case study: