Practicum Opportunitities

Thank you for Considering Touchstone as a Potential Practicum Site

Touchstone Family Association (TFA) offers practicum placements for students currently enrolled in accredited graduate training programs in psychology or social work. TFA is committed to providing students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and comprehensive counselling experience under the direct guidance of qualified, licensed and skilled supervisors.

TFA has a long history of providing student counsellors with a placement that allows for the further development of skills and insight into “self” as a potential therapist.  Students will be under the guidance of a Registered Clinical Counsellor/Supervisor and access to a team of skilled counsellors.  Students will engage with clients in a respectful manner that places the clients in the role of expert in their lives.

Most students complete their placement in eight months. During this time, students may work with individuals, couples, families and/or facilitate groups. Our clients are global citizens and represent all walks of life and experiences.

Students will work with clients in-person and virtually depending on need and safety. We typically have two to four students at our site, which allows students to have a shared and supportive experience.

The following benefits are offered to students completing a practicum with Touchstone:

• • TFA offers between 60-90 minutes of individual supervision each week.
  • There are 1-2 clinical group/supervision meetings each month.
  • Students will work with a diverse range of clients.
  • Students are provided with number of counselling experiences, including assessment, intervention, and consultation.
  • Students are provided a comfortable workspace with a phone and computer.
  • Students are provided with training as it becomes available to staff.
  • Students are provided with equipment to video tape their sessions.
  • Students will be trained in Feedback Informed Therapy (FIT).
  • Students will be introduced to the history, practical applications and usage of a feedback approach as well as be provided the tools and software to the track and share progress with clients.

Expectations of Students in the Program:

• • The minimum length of practicum is 8 months from the date you see your first client.
  • A minimum of 2.5 days a week are required, which ideally consist of consecutive days and includes a Wednesday morning. Attending Wednesday mornings allows students to participate in Group Clinical Supervision.
  • A commitment of 21 hours per week is required.
  • Evening availability is required to meet the needs of client work and/or school schedules.
  • All sessions with clients require video recording. This is an excellent learning tool that all our employed counselling staff participate in. Touchstone will provide the appropriate resources for taping. Audio taping can be an option with supervisor’s approval.
  • Students are required to attend a minimum of one hour of supervision per week and have video or audio of sessions ready to share with their supervisor.
  • For outreach work, a Class 5 BC Driver’s License (or out of province equivalent) is required, along with a vehicle with appropriate insurance.
  • A current First Aid/CPR certification is highly recommended, but may be obtained during the practicum placement.
  • The ability to perform physical activities with clients is required.

*  Touchstone’s Clinical Supervisor can amend the above requirements.

Application Deadlines:

September start - The deadline for submitting your application is February 1st

January start - The deadline for submitting your application is June 1^st

May start - The deadline for submitting your application is November 1st

**Practicum students will have the opportunity to be introduced and trained in Feedback Informed Therapy (FIT). This is an approach that all counsellors at TFA use as it represents a practice embedded in giving voice to the clients experience as well as voice to whether the client is experiencing an alleviation from the symptoms that brought them into therapy. Students will be introduced to the history, practical applications and usage of a feedback approach as well as be provided the tools and software to the track and share progress with clients. A FIT approach represents an evolution towards empowering the client with a means to let the counsellor know if therapy is working and for the counsellor to gain feedback about what is working and what needs to change if therapy is to be effective.

Students will be introduced to the works and writings of Barry Duncan, Scott Miller , Daryl Chow and Mark Hubble.