The University of Dayton Counseling Center offers clinical training and supervision for master's and doctoral students in psychology, clinical counseling and social work.
Practitioner-Scholar Model
We provide a generalist training that offers a breadth and depth of experience with numerous clinical concerns and service modalities. Common clinical concerns at the Counseling Center include anxiety, depression, eating concerns, interpersonal issues, grief, trauma, and more. We honor diverse theoretical orientations and recognize that there are many valid and productive ways to do the work of a therapist. The Counseling Center prioritizes trainee learning by offering both “experience by doing” and weekly didactic trainings that supplement student learning. These training blocks provide in-depth instruction in various evidence-based therapy interventions, work with specific populations, and opportunities for interdisciplinary case discussion.
Program Structure
Trainees are integral to our work, from staffing drop-in sessions, leading psychoeducation seminars, co-facilitating group therapy, and maintaining an individual therapy caseload. Trainees are expected and allowed more autonomy as the training year progresses. Trainees are guaranteed 1-2 hours of supervision per week, depending on the trainee’s program, and this time is consistently protected. Trainees are allotted one lunch hour and one paperwork hour per day, and trainees are encouraged to engage in self-care, which is modeled by staff. Trainees also are encouraged to become active members of the UD community and use their skills and insights to improve the University, particularly through outreach opportunities.
Training Opportunities
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Students
Training is available to students typically in their third or fourth year. This 720-hour experience is completed during an academic year. Trainees typically complete their hours in 2.5 days per week, with 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays being required. Trainees engage in drop-in sessions, intakes, individual therapy, psychoeducational and process groups, crisis intervention, consultation, outreach, and weekly professional development activities. Two hours of weekly individual supervision is provided by a psychologist licensed in Ohio.
Master’s in Counseling Students
Training is available for students looking to complete practicums (100-hour experience completed over the course of a single semester) and internships (600-hour experience completed over the course of two to three semesters). During practicum, trainees complete hours in 1.5 days per week. During internship, trainees complete hours in 3 days per week. Thursdays from 8:30am-noon is required for both. Trainees engage in drop-in sessions, intakes, diagnosing, individual therapy, psychoeducational and process groups, crisis intervention, consultation, outreach, and weekly professional development activities. We encourage counseling trainees to become strong in their generalist skills while also beginning to develop a niche area in individual and/or group therapy. One hour of weekly individual supervision with an LPCC-S is provided at the practicum level; two hours of weekly individual supervision is provided by an LPCC-S at the internship level.
Master’s in Social Work Students
Training is available for students in their second year field placement or advanced standing program. Social work trainees complete hours in 2.5 days per week, with 8:30 a.m. to noon on Thursdays being required. Trainees engage in drop-in sessions, intakes, diagnosing, individual therapy, psychoeducational and process groups, crisis intervention, consultation, outreach, and weekly professional development activities. This placement is ideal for students looking to develop strong clinical skills in adult mental health therapy. Two hours of weekly individual supervision is provided by an LISW-S.
