Counseling Center

Practicum/Internship

The Counseling Center at Valparaiso University is soliciting applications from eligible masters-level students interested in a clinical practicum/internship training experience at our center. We are looking for individuals interested in a, at minimum, 20-hour-per-week training experience for the academic year (August to May). We will also accept individuals interested in a spring semester internship if placements are available. Preference will be given to those who have prior clinical experience and are interested in providing mental health services to a traditional college-age population; however, we strongly encourage everyone who is interested to apply.

Description of the Training Experience

The clinical work at the Counseling Center consists of providing brief solution-focused therapy, with a focus on functioning.  Interns will provide individual psychotherapy, intake assessments, single sessions, walk-in appointments, and have the possibility of covering crisis appointments and co-facilitating outreach. Please note that this is not an appropriate site for a diagnostic practicum, as we offer only limited experience using formal assessments.

We require a 20-hour-per-week commitment at minimum, which allows for the accumulation of 300 hours each academic semester. A typical week for trainees includes:

• one to two hours of individual supervision utilizing video review
• a one-hour group supervision with all staff, including professional development or case conference
• two, one-hour case assignment meeting
• 10–12 hours of clinical service
• varying amounts of outreach
• time for preparation and case management/paperwork
• access to supportive, dedicated, and multidisciplinary staff

An important goal of the training program is to provide a supportive environment in which trainees will learn about who they are as counselors.

Requirements

Applicants are expected to have a foundational knowledge of psychological theories, psychopathology, and basic psychotherapy skills. The practicum or intern student must be available for a minimum of 20 hours during the Center’s normal hours of operation (8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). Trainees should have Friday morning 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. available for the administrative, supervisory, and clinical case conference meetings. You can expect to accumulate 600+ total hours in this two-semester placement. The accumulated number of clinical service hours obtained will depend on the readiness and focus of the trainee. A typical trainee is likely to accumulate 200–300 hours of direct clinical service provision.

Inquiries and Application Process

If you have questions, please call 219.464.5002 and ask for Olivia Gorman, or email . Applications may be sent via email to counseling. center@valpo.edu. We are currently working with a rolling deadline until all spots are filled, and we will begin accepting applications in January for the following academic year. Interviews will be conducted, and offers may be made at any time during the process, but we expect to be making our selections by the end of February.

Application materials should include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in and fit with our center, and your goals for the training experience
• A current vita, especially highlighting clinical experiences and skills
• Three professional references, including at least one from a person who can speak directly to your clinical skills

Email Application materials to , including the academic year in the subject line.

Couples counseling is designed to assist couples  (any two individuals needing help with their relationship; i.e. friends, roommates, romantic partners) with their relationship-based problems. Couples can meet with a therapist in a neutral, non-threatening environment to explore their concerns and to work toward a better understanding and resolution of their difficulties. It can also help couples gain more insight into each other, to learn more effective ways of communication, and to learn ways to resolve conflict.

Couples counseling is free of charge and available to all types of relationships. All individuals must be Valparaiso University students. If this does not include you, we are happy to provide you with some referral information to the local community.

Please contact us if you would like to schedule an appointment. Each partner will complete an intake assessment first and will need to schedule and attend these separately in order for us to gather adequate background information about each of you. If you would like to learn more about this initial appointment, please navigate to the “Your First Appointment” tab below.

At times, you may become concerned about a fellow student’s well-being and wonder how you might help your friend. You may encounter such fellow students either as a peer or as a student leader. It is OK to encourage your friend to seek counseling services. If you would like some additional help in assisting your fellow student, our professional staff can be available to you for consultation by calling our office at 219.464.5002 and asking to speak to a therapist. If someone is not available at the moment, we will take your information, and the next available therapist will contact you. . Let’s Talk hours is also a great time to seek this support. We are happy to offer you support and suggestions as you try to help another student get the help they may need.

If you are concerned about the immediate safety of your fellow student (e.g., threatened or attempted suicide), or you believe the student is of immediate threat to you or others, please call 911 for help.

We also offer consultation services to faculty and staff members as well as to parents and loved ones. Please see the respective tabs on the left, to learn more about how we may be able to help you support your student.

Your first appointment for ongoing services is also called an Intake Assessment. Please read below in order to learn more about this experience.

How do I schedule my Intake Assessment?

Please call us at 219.464.5002, or come to our office during our business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–5 p.m., except holidays). No appointments are made online. We will gather some brief information from you, then schedule you with an available therapist for an Intake Assessment for as soon as we can. We offer Intake Assessment appointments throughout our business hours, and we will schedule you according to our openings and your availability.

How long will I need to wait for this appointment?

We are committed to minimizing wait times as much as possible, and we acknowledge that waiting for your Intake Assessment may be difficult. We find that we are typically able to schedule students to be seen within five to seven business days. However, during our busiest times of each semester, it may take a little longer to be seen. This is due to the fact that during these periods, more students are requesting our services. In addition, you may also be busier, thus having limited time to schedule.

What should I expect during my Intake Assessment?

Your Intake Assessment will consist of completing paperwork prior to your appointment time. This is done online and an email will be sent to you for you to complete this. This is necessary in order for you to provide information about yourself. You will then meet with your Intake Assessment therapist in person at our office. You will be asked to describe the current concerns that have led you to come to us. Your Intake Assessment therapist will also ask questions to obtain specific information about your overall well-being and to better understand you. At the end of this appointment, your Intake Assessment therapist will discuss with you the follow-up services recommended, if any, in order to best help you with your concerns.

What happens next?

If a follow-up is recommended, it might include receiving services from us. If those services involve counseling, then you will be assigned to one of our therapists, who may be different from your intake therapist. A follow-up recommendation might also include receiving services from another office on campus or within the local community. We may refer you to other offices and professionals when we believe that your needs will be better served by them, and also when we find that we do not have the services available that you deserve.

Students experience many different issues that may impact their functioning or well-being. For some students, these concerns may be recent. For other students, such issues have been present for a long time. During Let’s Talk hours, students can walk in, without an appointment, to have a one-on-one 30-minute appointment with a therapist to process, gain insight, identify helpful resources, or problem-solve present stressors through a brief solution-focused session. 

Here are some of the common reasons why students may come for Let’s Talk:

• Having a difficult day
• Unsure about starting counseling
• Wanting to talk with someone in a confidential setting
• Seeking suggestions on how to best help a fellow student

The above list is certainly not exhaustive, so we encourage you to seek help with us for any personal concerns you may have. Some students find that their concerns can be managed in a single 30-minute-session, others find that they need multiple appointments to be the most supportive, at which point we would get you scheduled for an Intake Assessment to begin individual counseling, or referred out for services within the community. 

Let’s Talk is free of charge and is available for Valparaiso University students.

Let’s Talk is available Monday-Friday from 2 pm-4 pm on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are currently in crisis (e.g., risk of hurting yourself or others), please come to our office during any of our business hours, or please call 911 (or go to the nearest emergency room).

As part of our commitment to promoting positive individual mental health and a healthy campus environment, the Counseling Center offers outreach presentations on a variety of topics. These presentations are available to students, faculty, and staff at Valparaiso University.

Potential topics include:

• Adjustment to College/Homesickness
• Stress Reduction & Relaxation Techniques
• Coping Strategies
• Conflict Resolution
• Time Management
• Managing Procrastination
• Test Anxiety
• Eating Disorders/Eating Problems
• Grief and Loss
• Introduction to Therapy (What to expect, Q&A, etc.)
• QPR Suicide Gatekeeper Training
• Other Mental Health-Related Topics

To schedule an outreach program please submit an outreach request or email . Outreach requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance and attendance of 10 or more participants is preferred. Outreach requests will not be accepted the last two weeks of the semester.

To request an Outreach presentation, please fill out this form.