The Training Program, Part 3:  Training Seminars . . . 

1. Orientation

Orientation is a crucial component of the internship process. An intensive orientation period occurs prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. Due to the Center's commitment in the area of community building, the interns' orientation is integrated into that of the Graduate Assistants of Student Services. Interns will be a part of this training program which will familiarize them with the members of the Grand Valley community, help them develop a greater understanding of the role of Student Affairs and student development, and provide a support network with other graduate students. During the Center's orientation, interns are given information on policies and procedures, physical facilities and equipment, programs, supervisory arrangements, and staffing. Orientation also addresses the areas of consultation and outreach, assessment, crisis intervention and cultural and lifestyle differences.

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2. Clinical Seminar

A weekly seminar entitled Clinical Seminar is facilitated by the Director of Clinical Services and the Training Director.  This seminar uses a group / peer supervision model and focuses on case conceptualization, therapy process, possible therapeutic interventions, and clinical issues.

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3. Assessment

The assessment component includes sessions on conducting an intake interview, crisis intervention, assessment of potential harm to self and others, case conceptualization, assessment of mood disorders, and assessment of interpersonal style. In addition, the assessment component includes information on administration and interpretation of a variety of assessment instruments currently used at the Center. These instruments include the MMPI-2, the BSI, 16-PF, the MCMI-II, PAI, and the TAT.  The seminar also includes sessions on assessment of ethnic and special populations.

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4. Intern Seminar

Intern Seminar meets once a week during the internship year. The seminar focuses on applying information from the various seminars and workshops, discussing issues which arise during the internship, and providing contact with the Training Director.

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 5. Supervision of Supervision

This seminar provides the interns with supervision for the supervision interns provide to mental health trainees.  This seminar occurs every other week during Winter and Spring semesters.

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6. Career Development Counseling

The Counseling Center provides training and seminar opportunities for interns in the theoretical and philosophical basis of common issues faced by students in making career decisions, career counseling and assessment. Holland, Super, Roe, Crites, Krumboltz, and Hoppock's theories are examined, discussed, and applied to case studies. Opportunities are further provided for interns to learn how to use DISCOVER, a computer-based career decision-making program, and how to develop programs that focus on career development tasks for campus outreach for all student groups. Cultural and lifestyle differences impacting career decision-making and choices are examined in context with the university population.

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 7. Multicultural / Diversity Seminar

This seminar is intended to sensitize the interns to the various issues inherent in counseling individuals from different racial, cultural and lifestyle backgrounds. Issues related to age, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity, gender and disability will be addressed. This seminar also provides an opportunity for the interns to explore their own identities and issues/concerns related to working with individuals with different lifestyles and backgrounds.

As part of their experience, each intern will serve as liaison to a diverse student organization.

The Center also hosts an annual multicultural conference bringing in a national speaker for a one day workshop.

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8. Research

This seminar provides interns with an opportunity to explore research interests and to share research knowledge and expertise.  As a group, the interns are required to select and conduct a research project that has relevance and benefit to the Counseling and Career Development Center.  Upon completion of the project, interns will orally present their findings to CCDC staff and prepare their project to submit for journal publication and/or conference presentation.

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9. Additional Training

Interns will receive additional training on a variety of topics including: 
- Ethics and Professional Behavior 
- Community Resources and Referral Procedures 
- Consultation 
- Clinical Supervision
- Crisis Intervention

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 Evaluation
The Center views on-going evaluation as another primary component of the internship training program. In addition to feedback provided during supervision, interns receive feedback regarding their clinical development progress during regularly scheduled evaluation sessions. Evaluation criteria are specified in the training manual. The interns are also asked to provide feedback to the training committee regarding the training program.

Research Activities
The Center values and encourages research, publication and presentations at national and regional conferences. Interns are invited to participate in the Center's research projects and staff members are available for informal consultation on research activities. The University also encourages research. The University's Academic Computing Service provides statistical assistance in the analyzing of research data. In order to show the importance of the scientist/practitioner model in a university counseling center, each intern group will be required to select and conduct a research project that will contribute to the Counseling Center's mission. Upon completion of this project, interns will give an oral presentation highlighting the results of the research and its usefulness to the Center. Interns will also write up the results to submit for journal publication and/or conference presentation.

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