SECTION III: COUNSELING PRACTICUM

Description of Counseling Practicum (COUN 514)

The Counseling practicum experience is considered one of the most important professional activities in which students engage. Students are given opportunities to synthesize and apply knowledge gained in their studies. Through the sharing of experiences in both group and individual supervision, the student refines previously learned skills and acquires new knowledge and skills.

Objectives

Counseling Practicum is designed to facilitate refinement of counseling and interviewing skills and the development of new skills integrating knowledge, performance, and disposition into reflective professional practice. Through closely supervised one-to-one and group counseling experiences the student can expand his/her repertoire of counseling techniques and interpersonal relationship skills with opportunities to experience direct and specific feedback from the Supervisors and peers through video recording and direct supervision. A Practicum student will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to implementing and expanding the following skills:

• Establishing and maintaining a helpful and supportive counseling relationship
• Development and application of appropriate counseling techniques
• Maintaining client records and scheduling client appointments
• Continued awareness of ethical standards of practice
• Working effectively with supervisors and colleagues, including appropriate analysis and presentation of counseling sessions and case studies
• Continued development of professional behavior
• Learning about and using community resources when appropriate, including referrals
• Appropriate adoption of techniques for clients with diverse needs and backgrounds
• A continued willingness to learn, including acceptance of feedback and reflection on practice
• Enthusiasm for and a positive commitment to the counseling profession
• Continued development of personal traits which are conducive to effective learning, counseling, and professional development.

*Represents the range of possible hours for that area, but do not account for the 120 hour cap, which cannot be exceeded.

Requirements

The 3-credit Practicum is designed with lab experience where student counselors meet with volunteer student clients from Boise State University. Students must be prepared to commit and document the following categories and hours:

Direct Hours (a minimum of 40 clock hours out of 100 total practicum hours)

• A minimum of 40 and maximum of 45 hours of direct client contact (individual, group, or psycho-education)
• Direct hours must be recorded by lab supervision equipment (individual sessions) or videotaped in a classroom during lab hours (group sessions) to be eligible for sign-off
• All direct hours must be accrued across the entire semester so as to adequately evaluate your progress (for example, a good goal would be to complete about 20 client hours prior to midterm and about 20 client hours after midterm)

Indirect Hours (a minimum of 60 clock hours out of 100 total practicum hours)

• Minimum of 12 hours of individual and/or triadic supervision
• Minimum of 18 hours of group supervision
• Minimum of 30 hours of other Practicum related activities

Requirements for indirect hours are:

• Group supervision (18 hours)
• Individual and/or triadic supervision (12 hours)
• Other hours may include additional education (e.g., workshops, conferences), library research related to client issues, laboratory supervisor consultation, peer consultation, and other research

Program Continuity for Accreditation and Licensure

Idaho Licensed Professional Counselor licensure rules require 1000 hours of supervised Practicum/Advanced Practicum/Internship. Boise State University Practicum and Internships together require a minimum of 800 hours to meet CACREP Accreditation Standards and State of Idaho certification requirements. You are encouraged to accumulate the additional 200 hours as part of your Practicum and Internship experiences to be eligible to apply for the LPC upon graduation. Students must have related paperwork to faculty for signatures before end of spring semester.

Practicum Semester

Direct Client Contact and Supervision

General Lab Policies

Dress Code

We require that you dress professionally when working with clients. Professional attire is “business casual” clothing and an overall neat and well-groomed appearance. If you have any questions about what is professional attire, please do not hesitate to ask your supervisor or program faculty. While we want you to feel comfortable, we expect professionalism and professional attire while working with clients. Remember you represent yourself, the Department, and the University.

Use of Foreign Language In-Session

Counseling services should be provided in English, unless otherwise discussed with your individual supervisor ahead of any sessions.

Punctuality and Time Management

It is imperative that you arrive for your appointments with practicum lab clients promptly at the scheduled hour. It is also imperative that you end sessions promptly. All sessions should be 50 minutes in length. If a client arrives late, the session should be shortened to end at the original scheduled time, or rescheduled for another date. This demonstrates good boundaries and allows the next client to be seen in a timely manner.

Client Records

A Release of Information and Permission to Record/Observe/Consult form must be completed by each client at before beginning the first session. The student counselor should also review these items with the client during the first session. Written communication (to be maintained in the client folder) to the Clinical Supervisor is advised in questionable or unusual situations.

Insurance

Each Counseling Practicum student is required to have some form of professional liability insurance. The American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, and the American Mental Health Counseling Association offer complimentary liability insurance for student members. Students who are not currently members of a professional counseling organization are encouraged to join at this time, not only for the opportunity to be insured under the group program but also to begin participation in a professional organization serving the interests of the counseling profession. A student may secure insurance of his or her own choosing. Each student must submit a completed Statement of Liability Insurance form and attach Proof of Insurance prior to beginning practicum hours, and at any point that a renewal is needed (all forms should be submitted to the department before expiration date of previous coverage, where applicable).

Submission of required insurance documentation may be submitted through the following online form: forms.gle/gge1uDSrXTMHpDSD6

All proof of liability insurance must contain:

• Your full name as listed on the policy
• Your Member or Policy ID number
• Coverage Specifications
• Limits of Liability
• Expiration Date

Monitoring Methods

A variety of methods will be employed for monitoring student-client contact, including but not limited to:

• Digital recording of sessions
• Transcripts and analyses of recordings of sessions
• Monitoring through the digital recording system
• Direct supervision
• Presentation and discussion of case studies

Communications & Confidentiality

Procedure for Meeting with Boise State Clients in Counseling Lab (See procedure distributed in class)

• Undergraduate student-clients will be recruited from various courses, or may volunteer attendance.
• Practicum student-counselors will select potential clients from the client database.
• Practicum student-counselors will email (using @u.boisestate email only) or call potential clients to set up an appointment. (Please note: email is used for scheduling purposes only and a confidentiality notice, see example below, must be used in your email signature and discussion of email use must be included in your professional disclosure statement)
• Practicum student-counselors will reserve a counseling lab during standard lab hours for their session using the program provided calendar.
• All client communication and sessions held should be promptly documented on the client contact log (subsections of the client database).
• Student Counselor will send client confirmation email containing a copy of their professional disclosure statement/ informed consent and a link to the client intake form.
• On the day of the session, a registered supervisor will be onsite during the session – Students are responsible for ensuring that supervisor is onsite before beginning a session.
• All client paperwork and session recordings will be kept in the university VPN protected cloud with additional password protection on each file. Devices with client information are to be and any printed documents are to be filed in the locked cabinet in the Graduate Room.
• Upon termination with client (or if client is non-responsive after three or more attempts to contact them), student-counselors will complete all necessary notes and finalize contact logs/checkout status within the client database.
• All sessions are recorded electronically using the digital system for lab sessions and through video camera for group sessions. Students may download their sessions as needed through the semester using either the program-provided USB. Any session that requires long-term storage should be downloaded to a DVD and kept with client paperwork. All session DVDs must be destroyed by the end of the semester unless otherwise directed by one’s individual supervisor.
• Client documents (including but not limited to recruitment paperwork, intake form, client notes, and any and all form of audio/visual records of sessions) are to be accessed only in the department and may not under any circumstances be removed or accessed from areas outside the department. All sessions must be reviewed in a confidential, pre-approved locations within the department, or in other Counselor Education office with explicit permission each use.

Example Email Signature:

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited.

Procedure for Reserving Practicum Lab

Students are responsible for creating or removing their own appointments on the shared schedule, noting the color-coded practicum laboratory times for sessions and utilizing preformatted cells and client codes. Do not create, remove, or relocate an appointment slot that is not yours. If you have any questions or need help, please speak with your supervisor or laboratory staff.

Evaluations

In addition to ongoing formative evaluations during individual and group supervisory sessions, supervisors will complete a summative evaluation at midterm and at the end of the semester. Identified outcome competencies are integral to these evaluations. Maintaining client contact information including contact hour logs and client contact records is the responsibility of the student and will be included in the evaluation along with his/her attendance at scheduled individual and group supervisory sessions. The Student Counselor’s knowledge, performance, and disposition are components for assessment. All Counseling Practicum student will be asked to complete an evaluation of their clinical Supervisor and the Practicum experience at the end of the semester.

Additionally, clients may be given an opportunity to evaluate the student-counselor at the end of the semester, or as an ongoing part of the practicum experience. Client comments will not be evaluated as part of the student’s grade, but will be reviewed and discussed with the student by the individual supervisor. Students will be expected to generate descriptive statistics summarizing client ratings.

Grading

Letter grades for Practicum will be based on the following criteria:

• Attendance
• Evidence of professional enthusiasm, demeanor, and dispositions
• Completion of required number of clock hours
• Achievement of identified knowledge and competency-based skills
• Completion of client file paperwork in a timely, neat, and thorough manner
• Performance of the role and behaviors of the counseling pre-professional (including effective response to feedback) as documented with informal evaluations throughout the Practicum and with formal evaluations at midterm and at the end of the semester.
• Completion of assignments in group supervision
• Statistical analyses of client ratings.

A letter grade of “A/A-” indicates that in addition to completing all course requirements, including record keeping, in a timely and professional manner, the student demonstrates strong counseling skills, high standards of professional and personal behavior, a continued willingness to learn through reflective practice and utilize feedback effectively, and a commitment to the counseling profession.

A letter grade of “B+/B/B-” indicates that in addition to completing all course requirements, including record keeping, in a timely and professional manner, the student demonstrates adequate counseling skills, above average standards of professional and personal behavior, a continued willingness to learn and utilize feedback effectively, and a commitment to the counseling profession.

A letter grade of “C+/C/C-” indicates that the student did not complete all course requirements, including record keeping, in a timely and professional manner, needs to significantly improve counseling skills, may need to examine personal and professional standards of behavior, and/or appears to be unwilling to learn or lacking in commitment to the counseling profession. A letter grade of “C+/C/C-” will lead to a re-evaluation of the student’s continuing participation in the Counseling Program by his/her Program Advisor and Faculty.

In cases where the student has failed to meet the required number of clock hours, a grade of “incomplete” may be given until the student meets the requirement. Failure to meet requirements within one semester will result in re-evaluation of the student’s continuing candidacy in the Counseling Program by his/her Program Advisor and Supervisory Committee. The student must fulfill the “incomplete” tasks prior to accumulating any hours towards the subsequent clinical field experiences.

Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

A = 95-100;    A- = 90-94

B+ = 87-89;    B = 83-86;       B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79;    C = 73-76;       C- = 70-72

Evaluation of Practicum Student Counselor

The following outlines the items included on the Evaluation of Practicum Student Counselor form, completed by the student’s direct supervisor.

The Form Notes:

• Student Counselor: [Fill in the blank]
• Date: [Fill in the blank]
• Clinical Supervisor: [Fill in the blank]
• Midterm or Final [select one]

Form Rating Scale

For each item rate the student’s skills and/or performances based on this scaling system: (N) no opportunity to observe, (0) student’s performance was poor, does not meet criteria for program level (1) student’s performance was fair, meets criteria minimally or inconsistently for program level (2) student’s performance is good, meets criteria consistently for program level (3) student’s performance is outstanding, exceeds criteria consistently for program level. Comments are requested and encouraged on the last page of this evaluation.

Quantitative/Scale Items:

A. Counseling Skills and Abilities

• The student facilitates a helpful and supportive counseling relationship.
• The student creates appropriate structure in session – sets and maintains boundaries throughout the counseling relationship (such as maintaining time limits, setting parameters and meeting time and place, etc.)
• The student provides concise information about recording, confidentiality, counselor’s role and approach, and discusses client expectations in first session.
• The student understands and reflects content of the client’s story (paraphrasing).
• The student understands and reflects the context of the client’s story (reflecting meaning/interpretation)
• The student identifies and reflects client feelings.
• The student is congruent – student’s external behavior is consistent with student’s internal affect.
• The student is able to be empathic –able to identify and understand the perspective of the client without overidentifying with client.
• The student exhibits attending through non-verbal communication – demonstrates effective use of head, eyes, hands, feet, posture, voice, attire, etc.
• The student uses immediacy – staying in the here and now and reflecting that to client.
• The student uses open-ended questions.
• The student facilitates client awareness of discrepancies, mixed messages, and conflicts.
• The student uses silence when appropriate.
• The student confronts clients appropriately.
• The student’s use of timing in session is effective
• The student ends sessions effectively.
• The student’s responses are intentional – having a clear therapeutic intention with responses.
• The student uses relevant self-disclosure to encourage client disclosure when appropriate.
• The student collaborates with client to establish clear therapeutic goals.
• The student demonstrates conceptualization in the context of theory and is able to formulate a treatment plan that follows logically from this case conceptualization.
• The student demonstrates acceptance of self and others in working with diverse clientele.
• The student demonstrates skills in working with diverse clientele.
• The student terminates counseling effectively after evaluating client readiness.
• The student exhibits awareness of community and professional resources and gives referral if warranted.

B. Professional Behavior

• The student conducts self in an ethical manner so as to promote confidence in the counseling profession.
• The student relates to peers, professors, and others in a manner consistent with stated professional standards.
• The student demonstrates sensitivity to real and ascribed differences in power between themselves and others, and does not exploit or mislead other people during or after professional relationships.
• The student demonstrates application of legal requirements relevant to counseling training and practice.
• The student is a reflective practitioner.
• The student reviews counseling recordings to improve counseling skills.
• The student maintains comprehensive case notes.
• The student comes prepared to sessions and supervisions.
• The student demonstrates an active commitment to the profession.
• The student recognizes boundaries of his/her particular competencies and the limitations of his/her expertise.
• The student takes responsibility for assuring client welfare when encountering the boundaries of his/her expertise.
• The student provides only those services and applies only those techniques for which she/he is qualified by education, training, and experience.

C. Dispositions

• The student evidences desire to improve skills.
• The student is open and responsive to feedback.
• The student demonstrates self-control (such as anger and impulse control) and maintains appropriate boundaries in interpersonal relationships with faculty, peers, and clients.
• The student demonstrates honesty, fairness, and respect for others.
• The student demonstrates an awareness of his/her own belief systems, values, needs and limitations and the effect of these on his/her work.
• The student exhibits appropriate levels of self-assurance, confidence, and trust in own ability.
• The student refrains from making statements that are false, misleading, or deceptive.
• The student respects the fundamental rights, dignity, and worth of all people.
• The student respects the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and choices regarding self-determination and autonomy.
• The student respects cultural, individual, and role differences, including those due to age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status.

Qualitative Feedback

D. Major Strengths/Areas Needing Improvement [Fill in the blank]

E. Grade Recommendation (Include a brief explanation of grade) [Fill in the blank]

Practicum Sign Up Form

Please see the Practicum Counseling Opportunities page for information about the practicum lab and how to sign up.

Client Intake form

The following is a summary of items included in the client intake form. Student Counselors should provide a link to the form (as well as a copy of their professional disclosure) upon confirmation of the first appointment.

Please enter the client code, provided by your counselor. 

[Fill in the blank]

I have received a Professional Disclosure Statement from my counselor. 

[Select response – single option]

▢         Yes

▢         No

(Clients who answer No are directed to obtain and review the Informed Consent before continuing)

I have read my counselor’s Professional Disclosure Statement, and I agree to the terms listed.

[Select response – single option]

▢         Yes

Client Intake Form:

Counseling Process: Our primary purpose is to help you become more effective in dealing with concerns that influence your ability to achieve success in pursuit of personal and academic goals. We want to help you explore your concerns, provide support, and help you incorporate your goals into a plan for the future. Confidentiality: Information about you that is obtained during a counseling session will not be revealed to anyone outside the department without your consent except where disclosure is required by law:

• Where there is reasonable suspicion of abuse to children or elderly persons.
• Where you present a serious danger to yourself or to others.
• Where ordered by a court to disclose information.

Release of Information and Permission to Record/Observe/Consult: The counselor you are scheduled to see is completing their counseling practicum experience within the Department of Counselor Education at Boise State University. Each counselor-in-training is under the direct supervision of licensed faculty/staff.

As a client in the practicum lab, I give my permission for the counselor-in-training to share information regarding my counseling session(s) with the assigned supervisors, faculty, and counseling students for the purpose of supervision and evaluation of the below named student-counselor. Information will otherwise be kept confidential as allowed by law. I give my permission for the use of recording software (which includes audio and/or video, as well as any written communications), and for the secured storage of this media and written files within the department. Unless otherwise specified, this release expires upon the student-counselor’s graduation or departure from the Boise State University Counseling Program. I recognize that the Student Counselor has reporting requirements in situations where a danger to myself or others is believed to exist.

I have read and understand the information on this form. I understand that the counselors-in-training will use their best efforts to help me achieve success in realizing my personal and academic goals.

[Select response – single option]

▢         I agree

We are here to provide assistance with a variety of academic, social, career and relationship concerns. Our desire is to make your visit with us as beneficial as possible. Please complete all information on the reverse side to help us clarify your personal goals while seeing a student counselor.

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

[Fill in the blank]

Gender Identity

[Fill in the blank]

College Major

[Fill in the blank]

Year in College

[Select response – single option]

▢         Freshman

▢         Sophomore

▢         Junior

▢         Senior

▢         I’m not sure

Number of credits you are taking this semester

[Fill in the blank]

Listed below are a number of possible areas of concern. Please place mark items that you would like to discuss with a counselor. (skip this section if no items apply)

[Select responses – multiple options & Fill in the blank]

▢         Depression

▢         Stress/Anxiety

▢         Drugs/Alcohol

▢         Career

▢         Academic

▢         Health (Sleep, Physical Problems)

▢         Eating Issues

▢         Interpersonal Relationships

▢         Thoughts of Suicide

▢         Thoughts of Harm to Others

▢         Family Issues

▢         Other ______________________________

Please describe in detail the concern for which you are seeking help today.

[Fill in the blank]

How long have you been aware of this concern?

[Fill in the blank]

Are you presently taking any prescription medication?

[Select response – single option]

▢         Yes

▢         No

Display This Question:

If “Are you presently taking any prescription medication?” = Yes

Please list the medication(s) you are taking and the name of the doctor who prescribed this medication. 

[Fill in the blank]

End of Survey message

Thank you.
This concludes your practicum counseling intake! Your counselor will review this information before the start of your first appointment. If you have any questions or concerns that need to be addressed before your appointment, please email your counselor. All mental-health emergencies should be directed to 911 or other immediate-response services.  

Client Evaluation of Practicum Experience

The following is a summary of items included in the client evaluation of student counselor form, which student counselors should direct their clients to complete at minimum upon their third and/or final session. Clients are presented with a paper form by their counselor following a session; the client may request an accommodation for a digital form.

Thank you for your participation in the evaluation of a Student Counselor in the Counselor Education Department at Boise State University. It is important to us that you be given an opportunity to express your reactions to the program and, specifically, to your counselor and counseling experience. We hope, therefore, that you will take a few minutes to complete the following evaluation as openly and as accurately as possible. We appreciate your feedback!

Name of the counselor you met with: [Fill in the blank]

Clients will be asked to rate their experience using the following scale

1          Agree

2          Agree Somewhat

3          Neutral

4          Disagree Somewhat

5          Disagree

N/A    Not applicable

Scale Items:

Procedures for the counseling lab were clearly explained to me (including how to sign up, how to complete pre-session forms, where to go, etc.).

The counselor explained confidentiality to me.

The counselor listened to me.

The counselor helped me identify and explore problems in my life.

The counselor was aloof (distant and/or uninterested).

The counselor seemed warm, honest, and open.

The counselor understood me and the issues we talked about.

The counselor’s personality made me uncomfortable.

The counselor demonstrated respect for me and my time.

The counselor was supportive of me and my health.

The counselor helped me to talk about myself

Counselor appeared knowledgeable and skilled

The facilities (waiting room and counseling rooms) felt safe and comfortable.

(Non-counselor) Staff were considerate and helpful.

During my time with this counselor, they helped me to set realistic goals.

During my time with this counselor, they told me how to solve my problems.

The counselor didn’t have enough time to talk with me.

The counselor helped me explore different perspectives on what I talked about.

The counselor provided resources or information that I will use after this lab.

I would recommend this counseling resource to my friends.

Short answer/essay items:

Are you satisfied with your counseling experience? Why or why not?

[Fill in the blank]

Do you have any suggestions for improving the Counseling Practicum Laboratories?

[Fill in the blank]

Anything else you wish to share?

[Fill in the blank]

Click here to download a copy of the Client Evaluation of Practicum Experience

Intake Assessment

The following outlines the items included on the intake paperwork, completed following a first session with a client. Student Counselors will be provided a digital copy of this document for completion during their lab year/semester.

Date: [Fill in the blank]

Client: [Fill in the blank]

Counselor: [Fill in the blank]

Identifying Information

Age: [Fill in the blank]
Gender: [Fill in the blank]
Race/ethnicity: [Fill in the blank]
Language: [Fill in the blank]
Sexual orientation: [Fill in the blank]
Relationship status: [Fill in the blank]
Children: [Fill in the blank]
Disability status: [Fill in the blank]
Religious/spiritual affiliations: [Fill in the blank]
Housing/economic status: [Fill in the blank]

Chief Complaint (Client’s identified problem/reason for coming into counseling.)

[Fill in the blank]

History of Presenting Problem (Recent history of problem, events that led up to treatment, symptoms over past few weeks and currently)

[Fill in the blank]

Medical and/or Psychiatric History (Any significant current medical problems, any significant medical history – e.g., traumatic brain injuries, seizure disorders, etc.? Previous psychiatric hospitalizations, mental health counseling, current or past medications?)

[Fill in the blank]

Mental Status (Orientation, appearance, behavior/psychomotor activity, attitude toward interviewer, affect, mood, speech and thought, perceptual disturbances, memory, intelligence, reliability, judgment, insight, and suicidal and/or homicidal ideation, etc.

[Fill in the blank]

Developmental History (Prenatal issues, birth complications, developmental delays, experiences of Adverse Childhood Experiences – ACEs, and any other relevant stressors in early development (e.g., moved schools, parents divorced, held back a grade due to academic deficiencies).

[Fill in the blank]

Behavioral Health Factors
Substance use/addictive behaviors: frequency, amount, type

Eating patterns (e.g., detail typical eating frequency, amount, self-reported eating too much, not enough, feeling out of control while eating, feeling guilt after eating, etc.):

[Fill in the blank]

Physical activity (e.g., degree of physical movement in an average day):

[Fill in the blank]

Sleep habits (e.g., avg. amount of sleep per night, concerns with falling asleep, staying asleep, dreams)

[Fill in the blank]

Internal reflective practice (e.g., type, frequency)

[Fill in the blank]

Use of technology (e.g., cell phones, computers, video games – avg. amt. using screens per day)

[Fill in the blank]

Play and down-time

[Fill in the blank]

Family and Social History (Family-of-origin and nature of those relationships, family member psychiatric history, traumas – not falling in developmental category above, romantic relationship history, sexual history, friendships, aggression/violence history, legal history, recreational history, spiritual/religious history, occupational history.)

[Fill in the blank]

Impression and Preliminary/Working Conceptualization (Summary of client strengths and struggles, initial theoretical conceptualization of client based upon presenting information)

[Fill in the blank]

Plan

Services Needed: Anticipated Number of Sessions

Priority symptoms/problems:

1.

2.

3.

Referrals/Recommendations for Therapeutic Support Services:

[Fill in the blank]

Next appointment scheduled: 

[Fill in the blank]

The form will be signed by the student and their individual supervisor

Client Termination / Referral Form

The following outlines the items included on the Client Termination / Referral Form paperwork, completed following a final session with a client. Student Counselors will be provided a digital copy of this document for completion during their lab year/semester.

The form notes:

• Client Name
• Counselor Name
• Reason for Termination of Services
• Number of completed Sessions

Student counselors will select one of the following and provide additional notes:

• No Show / Follow up:
• Left School / Reason(s):
• Referral / Nature of Referral:
• Other:

Additionally, student counselors will provide details regarding:

• Completed Sessions / Summary of Goals and Related Outcomes:
• Follow up plan:

The form will be signed by the student and their individual supervisor

Self-Assessment

The following outlines the items included on the Self-Assessment form, completed by student counselors. Student Counselors will be provided a digital copy of this document for completion during their lab year/semester.

The form notes:

• Counselor Name
• Session Number:
• Date:

Students will detail the following:

• Competencies (Skills, strategies, timing, etc.)
• Difficulties
• Personal Feelings about This Session
• Personal Goals for Next Session with This Client
• Personal Goals for My General Skill Level

S.O.A.P. Notes

The following outlines the items included on the Session Summary Report (“S.O.A.P. Notes”) form, completed by student counselors. Student Counselors will be provided a digital copy of this document for completion during their lab year/semester.

The form notes:

• Date:
• Client:
• Counselor:
• Session#:
• Session time and attendance details

Additional details to be provided for:

Subjective: Current issues/topics/stressors/factual circumstances as reported by client and pertinent others (How the client experiences the world)

Objective: Emotional responses/patterns observed by counselor or reported by client (Quantifiable & outside written materials received)

Assessment: Summary of counselor’s clinical thinking based on subjective and objective synthesis of notes, diagnosis, and impressions including theoretically-based conceptualization of client:

Plan & Progress: Short and long term plan (include interventions used, treatment progress, & direction/prognosis):

The form will be signed by the student and their individual supervisor

R.O.I. Form

The following outlines the items included on the Release of Information Consent Form (“R.O.I. Notes”) form, completed by student counselors. Student Counselors will be provided a print copy of this document following discussion and approval by the Practicum Lab Coordinator.

The form states the following:

In order to provide maximally beneficial service to our clients, it is occasionally necessary for us to communicate with other people or agencies with whom you have had contact. This form gives us your permission to contact and to share the information we each have concerning our contacts with you so that your needs can be optimally served.

Your signature at the bottom of this form represents a waiver of your right to confidential communication only with respect to the mutual sharing of information between the Boise State University Counselor Education Department and the person or agency specified below. Any sharing of the information gained during our contacts with anyone else is expressly prohibited.

I hereby authorize the Boise State University Counselor (Client or Guardian’s Full Name)
Education Department to exchange information about (Client’s Full Name)
with the following person(s) and/or agency(s):
[Agency Name] at [Location]
[Agency Name] at [Location]
[Agency Name] at [Location]

The information to be disclosed/exchanged is: [select one]

• All information
• Other (specify below)

I understand that I may revoke this consent at any time with a written statement to the Counselor Education Department except to the extent that action has already been taken in reliance upon it.

The form requires signature of the client and student-counselor.

Evaluation of Practicum Supervision

The following outlines the items included on the Evaluation of Practicum Supervision form, completed by student counselors. Student Counselors will be provided a copy of the form to complete at the end of their practicum experience.

The form notes:

• Student Counselor:
• Semester:
• Year:
  Clinical Supervisor:
• Site: (Boise State Practicum Lab)

Form Rating scale:

For each item rate your Supervisor’s skills on a scale of 1 through 5, using (1) for poor, (2) for fair, (3) for good, (4) for very good, and (5) for excellent. If the particular skill was not observed or required, check NA. Open-ended comments on each item are encouraged and appreciated.

A. Supervision Skills

• Demonstrates knowledge of various counseling theories, techniques, and interventions
• Performs supervisory functions as teacher, counselor, or consultant as appropriate
• Encourages Supervisee to explore alternatives when responding to clients
• Establishes and maintains good rapport with Supervisee
• Appropriately challenges and supports Supervisee’s professional development
• Provides clear and useful suggestions
• Is sensitive to individual differences
• Demonstrates flexibility in the supervisory relationship
• Assists Supervisee in conceptualizing cases
• Appropriately uses supervisory relationship to demonstrate principles of counseling
• Gives timely and helpful feedback to Supervisee regarding facilitative and non-facilitative counseling behavior
• Challenges Supervisee when appropriate and as appropriate
• Assists Supervisee in planning effective client goals/objectives
• Can identify and communicate Supervisee’s professional and personal strengths and weaknesses
• Is available on a regular basis for supervision/consultation

B. Supervisor Effectiveness

• Your overall satisfaction with Clinical Supervisor
• Competence of Supervisor at giving useful supervision
• Interactions with Supervisor contribute to your counseling abilities and knowledge
• Interactions with Supervisor assist you to help your clients change, grow, or improve
• Interactions with Supervisor contribute to increasing your self-confidence as a counselor

C. Overall Satisfaction with Practicum

Your overall satisfaction with Practicum

D. Comments

The comments section collects qualitative feedback

Completed Form Distribution:

• Clinical Supervisor
• Practicum Coordinator
• Department Chair

Live Supervisor Evaluation

The following outlines the items included on the Practicum Counseling Live Supervisor Evaluation form, completed by student counselors. Student Counselors will be provided a copy of the form to complete for each live supervisor at the end of their practicum experience.

The form notes:

• Live Supervisor Name
• Semester

The form reads

It is very important that the University and the Counseling Department be informed of the quality of supervision and the respects in which it can be improved. Your evaluation may help. The information you share will be anonymous. It will be shared with faculty to help assess strengths and areas of needed improvement before being place in the supervisor’s file.

Please respond to as many of the following items as possible using the following scale:

5 (strongly agree), 4 (agree), 3 (neutral), 2 (disagree), 1 (strongly disagree), DN (don’t know).

Scale response items:

• The supervisor welcomes my explanations about my client’s behavior.
• The supervisor makes a reasonable effort to understand me.
• The supervisor encourages me to talk about my work with clients in ways that are comfortable for me.
• The supervisor is tactful when commenting about my performance.
• The supervisor encourages me to formulate my own interventions with the client.
• The supervisor helps me talk freely in our sessions.
• When the supervisor gives me feedback, I feel comfortable discussing my feelings about it with them.
• In supervision with this supervisor, I am more curious than anxious when discussing my difficulties with clients.
• If a friend were in need of supervision, I would recommend that they meet with this supervisor.
• I will actively seek future supervision opportunities with this supervisor.

Qualitative Item

Please tell us more about your supervision experience with this supervisor

Hour Logs

The Practicum Weekly Logs and Semester Summary Log are available in digital format through the Department, and will be provided to students at the start of their practicum experience.

As you enter hours into your weekly logs, section totals will auto-calculate on the appropriate semester summary log and alert you of potential issues that may need to be addressed before you submit your summary form for grading and supervisor signature.

FAQs

How long are client sessions supposed to be?

For our practicum lab, all sessions should be no more than 50 minutes in length. Being consistent in session length establishes firm boundaries with clients and is essential in a busy practicum lab.

Can I schedule all of my practicum clients at the beginning of the semester?

We do not allow this for two reasons: Your practicum hours should be scheduled evenly throughout the semester, and all practicum students should have equal access to the available client paperwork. You may schedule multiple future sessions with the client after the first session occurs – however you are responsible for monitoring the shared schedule to ensure that future sessions are adjusted as needed should the client need to cancel or adjust their appointment time, or if the client no-shows.

How many clients can I work with at one time?

We ask that you begin by scheduling approximately 4 clients (pending client availability). We recommend that you collect approximately 20 client hours prior to midterm and approximately 20 client hours after midterm.

I accidentally booked a client during my individual or group supervision time. Is it alright if I miss class or supervision to see my client?

No, you are required to attend all group and individual supervision sessions to pass practicum, as this is required group supervision time. If you accidentally book a client during class time, you must reschedule your client session.

What are the practicum lab hours?

Lab hours are subject to change and adjustment at any time. Your practicum instructor and supervisor will have the schedule at the start of the semester. Although unlikely, hours may change during the semester. You will be informed if any of your scheduled appointments are unexpectedly cancelled or require adjustment.

What do I do if a client does not respond to my request to schedule a session?

You should make a reasonable effort to contact clients before closing their file (a minimum of three attempts over at least one week of time to reach your client should be documented in the client-contact log). On your final attempt to contact, you must inform your clients that you are closing their file and they will not be contacted again for the semester.

Can I write my session notes* and watch videotaped sessions off-campus or somewhere other than the 4^th floor of the College of Education?

Due to confidentiality of client information, all note-writing, session watching, and any work related to practicum must be conducted on our 4^th floor. You are welcome to utilize the Graduate Room, Practicum Labs (when not in use for sessions), and Department of Counselor Education conference room (when not in use by department). Students are expected to work with their cohort members and to share devices and resources.

*Exception: Notes may be completed off campus with the use of a HIPAA compliant encrypted drive, and without the use of any identifying client information. Identifying information may be added when on campus and prior to filing for review by your supervisor. Video/Audio records are never to leave the department under any circumstances.

Should session notes be typed?

Yes. Students should use the flash drive provided by the department to store session notes. Typing notes allows for easier review by supervisors and corrections can be made without creating an entirely new document.

When and how will my client receive credit for attending sessions?

Students are awarded credit at the end of the semester. Information on attended sessions is collected from the client-contact logs you complete and submit throughout the semester.

Can I use my own form or alter an existing one?

No. The forms provided in this handbook are carefully crafted to meet the needs of the department.

Other frequently asked questions:

• How do I schedule clients?
• How many hours of direct and indirect do I need?
• How many supervision hours do I need?
• How is my grade determined?
• What if I miss my group supervision?
• What paperwork should be in my file?

Answers for these and other questions can be found in your syllabus or elsewhere in the student handbook. If you need clarification on any of the written information, your faculty and supervisors are here to help.