The Counseling Practicum and Internship Manual: A Resource for Graduate Counseling Students

377 Pages·2015·4.85 MB·English

by  Shannon Hodges

The Counseling Practicum
and Internship Manual
Shannon Hodges, PhD, LMHC, ACS, is professor and coordinator of the Clinical Mental
Health Counseling program at Niagara University. He has 20 years of counseling experience
in community agencies, university counseling centers, and overseas. He is a former director
of a university counseling center and clinical director of a county mental health clinic, and
has another 10 years of experience in supervising collegiate living groups. He has 25 years
of experience in teaching school counselors, mental health counselors, and undergraduate
psychology students. He has authored numerous professional publications, including
books, book chapters, journal articles, and essays. He has also served on the editorial review
boards of several journals including the Journal of Counseling and Development, Journal
of Counseling and Values, Journal of Mental Health Counseling, and Journal of College
Counseling. He has received awards both for his teaching and for his writing. Dr. Hodges is
a longtime member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Mental
Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), and several ACA affiliate divisions. His book 101
Careers in Counseling is a popular text for counselors and those considering the counseling
profession. His most recent mystery novel with a counselor as protagonist is The Lonely
Void: A Bob Gifford Counselor Mystery. Shannon has taught and counseled overseas and
made professional presentations on four continents and in numerous countries. When he
is not teaching or writing, he enjoys reading, jogging, and traveling to remote areas of the
globe. He and his wife, Shoshanna, live in historic Lewiston, New York.
The Counseling Practicum
and Internship Manual
A ResouRCe foR GRAduATe CounselInG sTudenTs
second edition
Shannon Hodges, PhD, LMHC, ACS
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ISBN: 978-0-8261-2843-0
e-book ISBN: 978-0-8261-2844-7
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Student Resources ISBN: 978-0-8261-3259-8
Instructor’s Materials: Qualified instructors may request supplements by e-mailing [email protected]
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hodges, Shannon, author.
The counseling practicum and internship manual : a resource for graduate counseling students /
Shannon Hodges. — Second edition.
p. ; cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8261-2843-0 — ISBN 978-0-8261-2844-7
I. Title.
[DNLM: 1. Counseling. 2. Internship, Nonmedical. 3. Vocational Guidance. W 55]
BF636.65
361'.060711—dc23
2015028644
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Printed in the United States of America by McNaughton & Gunn.
In memory of Michael T. “Maz” Mazurchuk, alumnus of the Niagara University
CMHC program, and Dr. Morgan Brooks, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental
Health Counseling, Niagara University

ConTenTs
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
Share The Counseling Practicum and Internship Manual: A Resource
for Graduate Counseling Students, Second Edition
1. Introduction to the Counseling Profession and the
Practicum/Internship 1
Identity 2
Professional Counseling Organizations 5
Counselor Licensure 11
Occupational Outlook for Counselors 12
Practicum Versus Internship 13
Practicum/Internship Requirements 14
2. Selecting and Applying for a Practicum/Internship 21
Selecting a Practicum/Internship 21
The Informational Interview 32
Applying for the Practicum/Internship 33
The Practicum/Internship Contract 39
Final Issues to Consider 40
3. Ethical and Legal Issues 43
Competent Ethical Practice for Counselors 44
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 44
Informed Consent 45
Confidentiality and Privileged Communication 49
Technology and Client Records 58
Boundary Issues: Dual Relationships in Counseling 59
Sexual Intimacy With Clients 64
Liability Insurance 67
4. Clinical Issues in Practicum/Internship 71
Building the Therapeutic Alliance 71
Initial Intake Form 73
Initial Assessment 76
vii
viii Contents
Counseling Techniques 76
The Clinical Record 83
Closing the Session 84
Final Suggestions 85
Conclusion 86
5. Clinical Writing and Documentation in Counseling Records 89
Client Records and the Standard of Care 91
Documenting Complicated End-of-Life Issues 92
Case Notes 95
Recommendations for Record Keeping 98
General Recommendations for Writing Case Notes 100
SOAP Format 103
6. Models of Supervision: Classroom and Site Supervision 115
Practicum/Internship Class 115
Models of Supervision and Critique 121
Written Feedback 123
Offering Feedback to Peers 125
7. Multicultural Issues and Considerations 135
Self-Awareness: The First Step 137
Multicultural Competencies 138
Developing Culturally Appropriate Skills 141
Ethics and Multicultural Counseling 143
Final Thoughts 145
8. Managing Stress During Your Practicum/Internship 149
Developing and Maintaining a Healthy and Mindful Lifestyle 150
Conflict Management Skills 161
The Counseling Student as Client 163
Final Suggestions for Self-Care 165
Conclusion 166
9. Crisis Intervention in Practicum/Internship 169
The Duty to Warn 169
Suicidal Clients 171
Assessing Danger to Others 183
Child Abuse and Neglect 189
Recommended Resources for Suicide Prevention 191
Organizations for the Prevention of Suicide 191
Suicide Hotlines 192
Conclusion 192
10. Protecting Yourself During the Practicum/Internship
Experience 195
Predictors of Client Violence 196
Dealing With Aggressive Behaviors 199
Contents ix
Defusing Violence 201
Self-Defense Training 204
Workplace Violence Prevention Plan 205
What to Do After an Assault 205
Conclusion 207
11. Termination in Counseling: How to Say Goodbye 209
When to Terminate a Counseling Relationship 211
Discussing Termination With the Client 213
The Termination Plan 215
Client’s Resistance to Termination 215
Counselor Resistance to Termination 218
Referrals and Follow-Up 220
Abandonment 222
Conclusion 224
12. Completing the Practicum/Internship and Preparing for the Future as
a Professional Counselor 227
Terminating the Field Supervisor–Intern Relationship 227
Preparing for the Job Search 235
The Visioning Process: Creating Your Dream Career 236
The Career Center 239
Professional Networking Sites 240
Requesting References 240
Developing a Résumé or Curriculum Vitae 241
Writing a Cover Letter 245
The Job Interview 247
Dealing With Rejection 252
Evaluating a Job Offer 255
Final Thoughts on Concluding Your Practicum/Internship and
Beginning Your Career 258
Appendix A: List of Professional Counseling Organizations 261
Appendix B: State Licensure Boards and Requirements 267
Appendix C: Documents for Practicum and Internship 309
Index 347