Counseling Practicum Trainee

Position Information Department: Clinical Services Position Classification: Counseling Practicum Trainee Employment Status: Educational Training Placement (Non-Employee) Reports To: Clinical Supervisor Assigned Licensed Clinician (Site Supervisor) Program Assignment:

• Outpatient Behavioral Health Services (OP) 
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) 
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

 

Primary Practice Location: Philadelphia OR Wilmington 

Work Arrangement Counseling Practicum Trainee complete their clinical training primarily in person at approved CRHE clinical locations. Participation in tele-behavioral health services may occur only when:

• Authorized by the student's academic institution. 
• Approved by the assigned Site Supervisor. 
• Consistent with CRHE Telehealth Policies and Procedures. 
• Permitted by applicable state and federal law. 
• Appropriate informed client consent has been obtained.

 

Counseling Practicum Trainee shall not independently provide tele-behavioral health services and shall practice only within the scope authorized by their academic program, CRHE, and their assigned supervisor.

Compensation This is an unpaid educational training placement completed pursuant to an affiliation agreement between CRHE and the student's accredited college or university. Counseling Practicum Trainee are not employees or independent contractors of CRHE.

Schedule Clinical schedules are established collaboratively between:

• CRHE 
• The academic institution 
• The assigned Site Supervisor 
• The Graduate Practicum Student

 

Schedules are determined based upon:

• University practicum requirements. 
• Required clinical hours. 
• Client availability. 
• Program needs. 
• Supervisor availability.

 

Evening clinical hours may be available depending upon program assignment and educational objectives.

About CRHE The Center for Research & Health Equity (CRHE) is an integrated behavioral healthcare organization dedicated to expanding equitable access to comprehensive mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorder treatment. Through culturally responsive care, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community partnerships, CRHE seeks to improve behavioral health outcomes while addressing the social and structural factors influencing health and recovery. CRHE is committed to preparing the next generation of behavioral health professionals by providing high-quality clinical training grounded in ethical practice, evidence-based care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and lifelong professional development.

Position Summary The Counseling Practicum Trainee participates in a structured clinical education experience designed to integrate graduate-level academic preparation with supervised behavioral healthcare practice. Under the direct supervision of an approved CRHE Site Supervisor, the Counseling Practicum Trainee develops foundational competencies in behavioral health assessment, treatment planning, counseling interventions, documentation, ethical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and culturally responsive care while serving adults experiencing mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Clinical responsibilities increase progressively as competency is demonstrated and approved through ongoing supervision.

Educational Classification This position functions as a graduate clinical training experience and is governed by:

• University affiliation agreements. 
• CRHE Policies and Procedures. 
• Applicable Delaware laws. 
• Professional codes of ethics. 
• Requirements established by the student's academic program.

 

The Counseling Practicum Trainee may perform only those activities approved by their academic institution and assigned Site Supervisor.

Essential Learning Responsibilities Under supervision, the Counseling Practicum Trainee may: Clinical Assessment

• Observe behavioral health assessments. 
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments under supervision. 
• Participate in clinical interviews. 
• Administer approved behavioral health screening instruments. 
• Observe risk assessments. 
• Present clinical cases during supervision.

 

Treatment Planning

• Participate in development of individualized treatment plans. 
• Assist with treatment plan reviews. 
• Participate in discharge planning. 
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members regarding treatment recommendations.

 

Counseling Services Under supervision, students may:

• Conduct individual counseling sessions. 
• Co-facilitate psychotherapy groups. 
• Co-facilitate psychoeducational groups. 
• Observe couples or family sessions, when appropriate. 
• Assist with relapse prevention programming. 
• Participate in recovery-oriented interventions. 
• Observe crisis intervention activities.

 

Students shall practice only within the scope approved by their academic institution and assigned supervisor.

Integrated Behavioral Healthcare The Counseling Practicum Trainee participate in interdisciplinary care by collaborating with:

• Licensed Clinicians. 
• Counselor I staff. 
• Counselor II staff. 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. 
• Clinical Supervisors. 
• Case Managers. 
• Peer Recovery Specialists. 
• Community providers.

 

Students develop an understanding of integrated behavioral healthcare through supervised participation in team-based care.

Documentation Responsibilities The Counseling Practicum Trainee may complete documentation under supervision, including:

• Biopsychosocial assessments. 
• Progress notes. 
• DAP and/or SOAP notes. 
• Treatment plans. 
• Group documentation. 
• Referral documentation. 
• Clinical summaries. 
• Other educational documentation assigned by the Site Supervisor.

 

All documentation shall be reviewed, approved, and co-signed by the assigned supervisor before becoming part of the official medical record.

Clinical Supervision Counseling Practicum Trainees receive structured supervision throughout the practicum experience. Supervision includes:

• Individual supervision. 
• Case consultation. 
• Direct observation. 
• Documentation review. 
• Clinical feedback. 
• Professional development. 
• Midterm and final evaluations required by the academic institution.

 

Counseling Practicum Trainees shall actively participate in supervision and demonstrate progressive development of clinical knowledge, professional behavior, and ethical decision-making.

Learning Expectations Counseling Practicum Trainees are expected to:

• Demonstrate professionalism in all clinical interactions. 
• Maintain client confidentiality. 
• Practice within the limits of their education and supervision. 
• Arrive prepared for supervision. 
• Accept and integrate supervisory feedback. 
• Demonstrate cultural humility and respect for diversity. 
• Maintain professional boundaries. 
• Complete assigned learning activities. 
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings. 
• Demonstrate increasing clinical competency throughout the practicum experience.

 

Minimum Qualifications Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in an accredited graduate program in: 
  • Counseling
  • Social Work
  • Marriage and Family Therapy.

   

• Be approved by their academic institution to begin a clinical practicum or internship. 
• Meet all university affiliation requirements. 
• Successfully complete all CRHE onboarding requirements prior to beginning the placement.

 

Preferred Qualifications Preference may be given to applicants who demonstrate:

• Strong academic performance. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills. 
• Professional maturity. 
• Interest in integrated behavioral healthcare. 
• Interest in mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorder treatment. 
• Commitment to culturally responsive practice. 
• Willingness to learn within a multidisciplinary treatment environment.

 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Foundational Knowledge

• Counseling theories. 
• Human development. 
• Professional ethics. 
• Behavioral health assessment. 
• DSM-5-TR concepts. 
• Recovery-oriented care. 
• Trauma-informed practice. 
• Cultural responsiveness.

 

Professional Skills

• Therapeutic communication. 
• Professional writing. 
• Documentation. 
• Clinical interviewing. 
• Organization. 
• Time management. 
• Team collaboration. 
• Receptiveness to supervision.

 

Technical Skills

• Electronic Health Record documentation. 
• Microsoft Office applications. 
• Secure electronic communication platforms.

 

Professional Expectations Counseling Practicum Trainees are expected to:

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct. 
• Practice only within the scope authorized by their academic institution and Site Supervisor. 
• Maintain professional boundaries. 
• Protect client confidentiality. 
• Complete documentation within required timeframes. 
• Participate actively in supervision and professional development. 
• Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and person-centered care. 
• Support CRHE's mission, vision, and organizational values.

 

Educational Opportunities CRHE provides Graduate Practicum Students opportunities to develop competency in:

• Integrated behavioral healthcare. 
• Individual counseling. 
• Group psychotherapy. 
• Behavioral health assessment. 
• Treatment planning. 
• Clinical documentation. 
• Care coordination. 
• Crisis intervention. 
• Recovery-oriented treatment. 
• Evidence-based behavioral health practice. 
• Interdisciplinary collaboration. 
• Quality improvement.

 

Educational opportunities vary according to student competency, university requirements, client needs, and program availability.

Physical Requirements Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals to participate fully in the practicum experience. Counseling Practicum Trainees must be able to:

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach as necessary to participate in clinical activities. 
• Communicate effectively with clients, supervisors, and interdisciplinary team members. 
• Utilize electronic health record systems under supervision. 
• Participate safely in clinical activities within a professional behavioral healthcare environment.

 

Equal Opportunity Statement The Center for Research & Health Equity (CRHE) is committed to providing an inclusive, supportive, and academically rigorous clinical training environment. CRHE welcomes graduate students from diverse educational and professional backgrounds and is committed to preparing future behavioral health professionals through high-quality supervision, evidence-based practice, ethical clinical care, and interdisciplinary collaboration.