A Guide to Practicum and Internship for School Counselors-in-Training

There are numerous books available for counseling students who are entering their practicum and internship experience that provide them with an overview of the different details of the program and the knowledge they need to complete it successfully. What is lacking among these titles, however, is a focus on and discussion of the important information needed by those students who specifically intend to enter the school counseling field. Studer and Diambra have finally filled this gap with A Guide to Practicum and Internship for School Counselors-in-Training. Geared specifically at future school mental health professionals, this book addresses all the pertinent topics, issues, and concerns missing in the current literature. This effective blend of the general practicum experience with the specific knowledge needed to become a school counselor is an indispensable guide for any counseling student wishing to work in this field. The authors begin with an overview of the role of a counselor within a school, the organization of schools and school districts, and what to expect when working with students, teachers, school administrators, and parents. This is used as a framework within which Studer and Diambra provide a thorough overview of the practicum and internship experience, describing, for example, the purposes of supervision, the philosophical background of the supervisors, and the responsibilities of all parties involved. The next section discusses the current ASCA National Model for professional school counselors and its components before covering such useful information as developing lesson plans, strategies for classroom management, study skills strategies, planning with individual students, and responsive services. Developmental issues of students in all grade levels are addressed, along with those pertaining to gifted and special needs children. Finally, the authors explore the various counseling theories employed by school counselors, which students are exposed to in their training and ultimately help them develop their own identities as counselors, and offer tips for students as they transition into their careers.

Table of Contents:
Part I: The Practicum and Internship Journey. Getting Started. Understanding the School Culture. Popular Counseling Theories Used by School Counselors. Overview of Supervision. A Developmental Passage – Models of Supervision. Part II: The ASCA National Model as a Structure for Understanding the Role of the Professional School Counselor. The ASCA National Model Components as a Supervisory Guide. The Foundation Component. The Management Component. The Delivery System Component. Accountability and the School Counselor-in-Training. Applying the ASCA Ethical Standards. Part III: Guidelines for Working with Special Populations. Understanding Differences in Schools. Developmental Issues of Students. Part IV: Competing the Clinical Experiences. Transitioning Forward.

About the Author :
Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, University of Tennessee, USA

Review :
This is the practicum/ internship book we have been waiting for. Jeannine Studer, Joel Diambra, and their contributing team of experts have included every significant contemporary topic that is essential to the growth and development of 21st century school counseling candidates. The comprehensive array of topics assures counselor educators that their school counselors in training are well prepared to work in today’s schools! Carol Dahir, EdD, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Counselor Education, New York Institute of Technology Sometimes a review of what students have learned and other times an invaluable resource for school counseling students entering their field placement, this is a critical new book. Offering a rich amount of material for school counseling students, the book is comprehensive, research based, readable, and filled with hands on activities. As I turned the pages, the book seemed to anticipate my thoughts about what was next needed to be learned. Ed Neukrug, EdD, Professor of Counseling, Old Dominion University The authors provide a framework for helping students approach school counseling field experiences that is consistent with CACREP accreditation standards as well as the ASCA National Model. Via the use of practical suggestions and real-life case examples, the authors provide a forum for students to integrate and apply knowledge gained from prerequisite courses. Dr. Amy Milsom, Associate Professor of Counselor Education, Clemson University This text offers the most in-depth glimpse yet into the expectations of school mental health professionals’ training in practica and internships and offers a guide for new professionals as they develop their counseling identities and enter the great field of school counseling. The authors have prepared a text that has the potential to become the “go-to” guide for enhancing school counselors’-in-training clinical preparation and supervision across the country. Andrea Dixon, PhD, Associate Professor and School Counseling Program Coordinator, University of Florida