MFT 5803 - Practicum

Credits: 3

The clinical experience consists of 500 contact hours in therapy with a variety of clients. At the beginning, students observe ongoing therapy conducted by senior therapists and supervisors and discuss the rationale, treatment goals, and strategies used by them. Gradually, they are given a case load of clients with different treatment needs, initially as co-therapists, and later as independent therapists under live and videotaped supervision. As they gain experience and assume increased responsibility for conducting therapy, they integrate theory and practice. In its final stages, the clinical experience prepares students to function independently in supervised practice. Students assess, diagnose and implement treatment plans with the consent of their supervisors. Live observation and videotaped sessions demonstrate students’ progression toward functioning as autonomous practitioners. May be repeated until Supervised Clinical Practice requirements are completed.