Interns are assigned one primary supervisor and one primary consultant each semester. The primary supervisor must be a licensed psychologist and the intern will meet with this person for two hours each week. The consultant may be a psychologist, but may hold other mental health credentials (e.g. counselor, social worker, marriage and family therapist) and will meet with the intern for one hour each week.
During supervision and consultation time, supervisors and consultants engage in an in-depth analysis of the intern's skill development, discussing all direct service activities and professional development issues, directly observing activities through recording, monitoring the welfare of service recipients, and signing off on the intern's clinical documentation.
Interns will have an opportunity to meet with each potential primary supervisor and primary consultant during orientation to discuss supervision styles, activities, theoretical orientations, etc.
Interns should inform the Training Director of their preferences for primary supervisors and primary consultants after these meetings. The training director will consult with primary supervisors and consultants to make decisions about assignments, making every effort to honor the preferences and needs of all trainees and senior staff.
Interns will be assigned a new primary supervisor and new primary consultant for Spring/Summer semester and will be asked to specify preferences for Spring/Summer semester supervisors and consultants as well.
Additional supervision is provided for assessment, supervision, consultation, and group therapy. All senior staff maintain an "open door" policy which encourages informal consultation and supervision when needed.
Group supervision of interns occurs in two additional formats. A weekly meeting with the Training Director is held, which includes group supervision. Interns also attend a weekly peer supervision meeting, where staff discuss difficult cases, review cases for approval to pursue long-term treatment, conduct formal case presentations, and discuss clinical, legal, and ethical issues.
The Counseling Center offers after-hours emergency coverage for urgent mental health concerns such as suicidal thoughts, sexual assault, and other trauma. Call the Counseling Center at (828)262-3180 and select the option to speak with the counselor on-call.
For additional resources see our Emergency Services page.
