Doctoral Practicum

Counseling services doctoral practicum training

Counseling Services (CS) is committed to enhancing the psychological growth, emotional well-being, and learning potential of NAU students. In collaboration with the College of Education, CS offers an unpaid practicum for advanced doctoral students who have been recommended by their faculty. The major focus of the practicum placement is individual therapy and crisis counseling in a brief, time-limited, university mental health setting.  Consultation, outreach, and group counseling may also be possible experiences offered to practicum trainees depending on availability.

The practicum will be offered for 12 hours/week over 15 weeks during the Fall and Spring semesters for a total of 170-180 supervised hours.  The objective of the practicum experience is to add breath and diversity to the students existing base of knowledge.  Therefore, the practicum is designed to provide the students with the opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts and proficiencies learned in their academic program and supplement the knowledge and skills with practical experience.  The practicum at CS also allows students to make the transition from the academic setting to the actual work setting and therefore adapt more realistically to the professional lives they are about to enter.  The student performs under supervision of a licensed psychologist all the activities that a regularly employed staff member in the setting would be expected to perform.

Please Note: We ask that trainees do not plan extended vacation time (i.e., 1-2 weeks) during this period as it can be disruptive to the training experience and/or CS clients