$altText

Practicum Training Model and Philosophy

A Practitioner Model Informed by Theory and Research guides the CAPS training program. Practicum students are trained to ground their practice of psychology in theory and research. This model is principally accomplished in an intensive, supervised university counseling center experience working with a multicultural group of interdisciplinary professionals. Imbued in this model are service provision, didactic and experiential instruction and the use of psychological theory/research.

CAPS provides a setting in which practicum students increase and strengthen their abilities to practice psychology throughout their year with the agency. Practicum students successfully complete practicum when they reach a skill level that demonstrates sufficient ability to practice foundational therapy skills with ongoing supervision.

CAPS recruits students from scientist-practitioner and scholar-practice academic programs so that they come with a foundation of theoretical and research-based knowledge, the capacity to engage in theoretical and research-based inquiry, and readiness for intensive training in practice. CAPS continues training in integrating practice and theory and research as these provide the underpinnings of the practice of psychology. A part of competent practice also includes being informed about the seminal and current theoretical and research bases of psychology. CAPS accomplishes integration by encouraging:

  • Developing critical thinking to guide the use of research to inform clinical practice.
  • Generating clinical hypotheses to explore in supervision.
  • Learning the empirical bases that guide the use of comprehensive diagnostic assessment.
  • Participating in in-service training programs on best current practices in clinical practice, (e.g., supervision, group therapy, diagnosis, crisis response, clinical ethics, etc.,).

The mentor/apprenticeship work environment in which this model of training occurs is encouraged and developed. It is designed to provide a collaborative milieu for training. This is operationalized in a variety of ways including:

  • Staff provide clinical and professional identity role modeling.
  • Staff collaborate with practicum students.
  • Staff create a milieu respectful of practicum students: honoring their cultural identities, valuing their positive self-growth, and establishing a strong work ethic.

This is the basic model and setting for the CAPS training program. This model and setting are further guided by seven philosophical tenets which describe in more detail the basic values of the CAPS training program.

 

Training Philosophy