University Counseling Center
Advanced Clinical Practicum &
Clinical Graduate Assistantship
Brochure and Application Information
Academic Year
2015-2016
THE UNIVERSITY of WYOMING
UNIVERSITY COUNSELING CENTER
The UCC is part of the Division of Student Affairs and acts as the mental health center
for the campus. The UCC has four program areas: 1) counseling services, 2)
consultation and outreach services, 3) the professional mental health training program,
and 4) the AWARE (Alcohol Wellness Alternative, Research & Education) program.
Through these four areas, the UCC serves students and the university community.
MISSION
The University Counseling Center (UCC) and AWARE Program support the University
of Wyoming mission by providing proactive and responsive wellness services to
students, empowering them to develop their identity and to realize their full academic
and personal potential.
We cultivate partnerships to build community across campus and throughout the state
and region in order to foster a culture of mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual
health.
Our services are guided by our devotion to provide a safe environment for all
differences among all people. We honor diversity by accepting, supporting, affirming,
empowering, and being open minded and respectful.
Our professional training program is an integral and exciting part of our mission. We
work to provide a rich, varied, and challenging site for trainees to develop as
professional practitioners and consultants to the university and local community.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The UCC mission and goals are drawn directly from the overarching mission of
the Division of Student Affairs:
The Division of Student Affairs contributes to the learning, success,
wellness, and overall development of our students so that they may
become informed and contributing citizens of their communities,
state, nation, and world.
Along with the Division of Student Affairs, we celebrate the diversity of the individual
and the cultures that we bring together at UW. We endeavor to create an atmosphere
in which individuals are respected and encouraged to pursue excellence and to achieve
their potential. The University Counseling Center is an all inclusive agency that serves
people from all beliefs, cultures, and backgrounds.
THE PRACTICUM/INTERN TRAINING PROGRAM
The Training Program of the University Counseling Center endorses the practitionerscholar model for professional training in psychology and counseling, and is designed
to provide a bridge between the present role of the graduate student and their entry
into the profession. It is a time to refine basic professional skills and move toward
establishing an integrated professional identity. With supervision provided by licensed
professionals, the integration of the trainee’s personal and professional growth is a
major focus of the program. In addition to supervised work in individual psychotherapy,
(which addresses a broad range of clinical concerns and diagnoses) trainees receive
training in the following areas.
 Crisis intervention
 Outreach development and delivery
 Professional development
 Group therapy—when possible
At the completion of training, trainees should be able to provide quality services and
practice in accordance with the standards and ethical principles of his/her relevant
professional association (e.g., APA, ACA, NASW).
Furthermore, UCC recognizes that most of our clients are exploring identities, values,
and choices. A commitment of training at UCC is for clinicians to recognize their own
areas of growth, especially those that might impede the client’s discovery process,
regardless of the issue.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES include developing conceptual knowledge, applied skills, and
self-confidence in the following areas:
 Intake, assessment, and diagnostic skills
 Case presentation skills
 Brief individual psychotherapy
 Crisis assessment and intervention
 Administrative and clinical record-keeping
 Use of supervision
 Outreach services
 Management of professional relationships
 Professional ethics and decision making
 Diversity issues/Multicultural counseling
 Group psychotherapy and group facilitation—when possible
SUPERVISION and evaluation are on-going processes at UCC. We believe that, in
preparing to be a professional, the trainee should systematically increase his/her
assurance and skill in providing a range of interventions to clients with a variety of
presenting concerns and from a variety of backgrounds. Furthermore, cases are
typically processed through the client’s “lens,” which involves examining the context
formed by interpersonal, cultural, and familial factors. These objectives are pursued
through collaborative work with experienced staff and supervised clinical practice.
Recording of sessions is mandatory at the start of the training program and may
become more discretionary dependent upon the trainee’s development and supervisor
recommendation.
Primary, weekly, face to face, supervision will be provided by a licensed professional.
Additional supervision is provided through our Case Conference seminar. Trainees
may have the opportunity to co-facilitate a process and/or psycho-educational group
with a senior professional, and receive an hour of group on group supervision, plus a ½
hour of face-to-face supervision with the co-facilitator.
COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION of the trainee’s professional development is an
integral part of the training process. In addition to the on-going feedback provided
in individual supervision, the trainee will participate in a formal assessment on a
quarterly basis. A copy of the evaluation is placed in the trainee’s training file, and
the trainee receives a copy of the evaluation. Communication is also maintained
with the academic program concerning the trainee’s development and growth.
TRAINING SEMINAR (PROFESSIONAL TOPICS) provides advanced training on a
wide variety of professional and clinical issues. The weekly 90 minute seminar is lead
by UCC senior staff members. The seminar will prepare students to work in
collaborative settings and focus on building clinical skills in working with a variety of Axis
I and Axis II disorders. The seminar will also focus on professional development issues
such as identity, therapeutic relationship, and preparing for independent practice.
IN-SERVICE TRAININGS, also known as our Brown Bag series, are held on a monthly
basis to provide all staff the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and skill in a given
area. A special emphasis on diversity is planned with presenters addressing issues of
religion, LGBTIQ, and multiculturalism. Practicum students and graduate assistants will
be asked to take responsibility for scheduling and development of these monthly inservice trainings. Each trainee will be responsible for two dates, or the entire trainee
group can plan eight together.
Additional meetings are listed below:
UCC Administrative Staff Meeting: The entire UCC staff convenes for one hour per
week to review the week’s agenda, relevant UCC and university news, or general
information for the staff’s use.
Training Team Meeting: Once per month, the trainees and the coordinator of training
meet for on-going assessment of the training program, discussing topics such as
supervisory relationships, training topics, progress, administrative and systemic
concerns.
Case Conference: The UCC clinical staff, including all professional staff, interns, and
trainees meet to review critical UCC cases. All staff are assigned case conference
responsibilities and must present one to two case presentations per semester.
GOG (Group on Groups): This is a one-hour per week group supervision session for
all UCC clinicians currently serving as facilitators or co-therapists in any of the center’s
various psychotherapy or support groups. Experienced group therapists with particular
expertise in group work often lead this semi-free, semi-didactic training seminar by
assigning selected readings from the group psychotherapy literature.
GOG is an option based on the trainee’s interest and time availability.
UNIVERSITY COUNSELING CENTER SERVICES
The UCC serves as the mental health center for the campus, offering direct clinical
services to students and consultation and outreach to the campus community including
faculty and staff.
DIRECT SERVICE activities include intake, individual, group, and couples sessions as
well as crisis intervention. Intake sessions offer trainees an opportunity to develop their
interviewing, assessment and diagnostic skills. Trainees are expected to conduct two
intake assessments per week. Write–ups will include the client’s history, mental status,
brief case formulation, and treatment recommendations. All intakes will be reviewed
and co-signed by a licensed supervisor who will assist in determining the case
disposition.
In accordance with UCC policy, most individuals are seen for one-to-ten sessions.
Trainees are expected to become familiar with the theory and application of brief
therapy. In addition, trainees may carry a small percentage of longer term clients in
consultation with their supervisor. Clients served at the UCC represent a broad
range of presenting concerns and diagnostic types. While relationship and
developmental issues are common, mood disorders, eating disorders and personality
disorders can be frequent. Students are often referred to the UW Student Health
Service with whom the UCC has a strong collaborative working relationship.
Consultation with the local community mental health center, alcohol treatment
programs, and in-patient psychiatric facility is common.
Group counseling is an integral part of UCC services. Each fall and spring semester,
the UCC begins process-oriented (and occasional psycho-educational) groups. When
scheduling permits, trainees are offered the opportunity to co-facilitate a group with a
senior clinician.
CONSULTATION AND OUTREACH SERVICES: In college, students can learn much
more than specific knowledge in their major and career field. Many times, successful
students rely on factors beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic. Developing skills and
confidence in areas such as communication, social interaction, and stress management
can be a predictor of success in college and beyond. The UCC plays an integral role in
delivering outreach/prevention programming to UW students, staff, and faculty.
Outreach programs provide educational information and resources to assist students in
gaining skills to cope with everyday stress and challenges that may occur over a
lifetime. Topics addressed in these presentations can include test anxiety, grief
reactions, assertiveness, healthy communication and relationships, suicide prevention,
body image concerns, conflict resolution, respect for diversity, and stress management.
Trainees are asked to be significantly involved in providing these outreach services by
completing a minimum of three outreach presentations a semester. With support and
training from senior staff, trainees can develop new programming or assist in presenting
established activities such as Depression Awareness Week or Body Image Awareness
Week.
Weekly Time Allotment Estimates
These are only estimates. Each week will probably vary slightly. There might be some
weeks where more time is needed.
15-20 hours a week are required for Advanced Clinical Practicum students.
There are two estimates below:
Based on 15 hours
Individual Supervision
Staff Meeting
Case Conference
Training Seminar
(Professional Topics)
Based on 20 hours
1
1
1
1.5
1
1
1
1.5
Clinical Administration
2
(review of tapes, case notes, phone calls, etc)
2-3
Direct Service
8
(counseling sessions, group sessions, Intakes, CIS)
10-12
Group on Group (GOG)
0
1
(the GOG meeting would be required when co-facilitating a group, but group sessions
would only be feasible when total UCC hours near or exceed 20 hours a week)
Brown Bag and Outreach activities are a very important part of training. They will not
occur every week though. Thus, the weeks that you are involved with these activities
you will spend more time with them. The following is only an estimate of how much time
it might take a week on average.
Brown Bag
0.5
0.5
Outreach
0.5
0.5
We hope that these estimates help with your planning and scheduling. However, they
are not exact scripts for each week. Hours devoted to each area can vary week to
week.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
1) Graduate Student in advanced standing in Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or
Counselor Education.
2) Demonstrated interest and experience in a clinical setting. Experience in delivery of
outreach or prevention programming preferred. Experience in process or psychoeducational group is helpful.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
1) Letter of interest
2) Resume/Vita
3) 2 Letters of Recommendation
4) Graduate Transcripts
APPLICATION DEADLINE: POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED
SEND MATERIALS TO:
Dr. Susan Williams, LPC, ACS, NCC
Dept. 3708
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071 – Phone: 307-766-2187
University Counseling Center Staff
The UCC currently has a staff of three licensed psychologists, three licensed professional
counselors, a Graduate Assistant, and two practicum/intern students. The GAs and
practicum/interns are selected each spring and complete an academic year of training.
Current Staff (2014-2015) include:
Senior Clinicians
Dr. Keith Evashevski, Psy.D., Director
Dr. Toi, Geil, Ph.D., Associate Director
Judy Johnson, M.S., LPC, Mental Health Counselor
Eirin Grimes, M.S., LPC, Mental Health Counselor
Dr. Susan Williams, Ph.D., LPC, Mental Health Counselor
Open Position: Ph.D., Psychologist
Advanced Clinical Practicum Students
Natasha Trujillo
Stevee Jones
Clinical GA
Andrew Felton, M.S., LPC
AWARE (Alcohol Wellness Alternatives, Research and Education)
Lena Edmunds, M.P.H.
GA for AWARE Programs
Amanuel Haile Asfaw
Jude Thaddeus Austin
Jason Tyser
Stephanie Bachtelle
Support Staff
Caroline Johnson, Office Associate, Sr.
Lynnda Burnison, Office Assistant, Sr.