Intern/Practicum Program

The Irving FAC staff is thoroughly committed to providing practicum students with quality experiences in family, couple, individual, play and group psychotherapy. Irving’s diverse population provides opportunities to gain knowledge and experience working with clients from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. The staff makes every effort to facilitate growth and skill acquisition through training seminars, as well as individual and group supervision.

Agency Requirements

• Prospective interns are expected to have completed courses covering an introduction to counseling, assessment, a clinical training course, abnormal psychology, and counseling theories. Additional courses in family, couple or group treatment modalities can be beneficial.
• The university practicum coordinator or the student’s department adviser must recommend a student for placement at the Advocacy Center.
• A personal interview with the agency director or clinical supervisor is required.
• Background checks will be performed on all acceptable interns prior to making a formal offer of acceptance, and a criminal record could eliminate a student from further consideration.
• Interns will be required to sign a general release of liability from the City of Irving for personal injury arising out of duties at the Advocacy Center.

Responsibilities

All students are expected to verbally contract to a minimum of two consecutive semesters at the agency unless other arrangements (mini-practicum, independent studies, etc.) are made with the agency director in advance. University-affiliated students are required to work some evening hours and give approximately 15 to 20 hours per week for two semesters, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis.

These on-site hours are primarily determined by your university requirements but may include:

• Two hours in agency staffing/didactic training session.
• One hour of one-on-one supervision per week (required) to be arranged with assigned agency supervisor.
• One hour (optional) of group supervision per week.
• Eight to 10 hours per week of direct counseling in individual, play, couple, family, group modalities (groups count for two hours of direct contact time) and screening or diagnostic assessment.
• Three to four hours of preparation, case documentation and miscellaneous administrative work.
• One hour (optional) specialized supervision as needed (e.g. play therapy, family violence, sexual abuse).
• One hour (optional) peer group consultation led by senior interns.

For more information, download the Intern Training Program info sheet (PDF).