Advanced Practicum Group Training
University Counseling Services (UCS) provides Advanced Practicum Interpersonal Process Group Psychotherapy (IPGP) training for doctoral-level students in the Department of Psychology at the Virginia Commonwealth University. The training model has three components:
- Initial didactic component
- Concurrent experiential non-speaking Process Observer component, and
- Capstone, speaking Co-Leader component.
Practicum students who have completed the three components are then eligible to apply for Advanced Practicum IPGP training. This is a competitive process, and placement is not guaranteed.
The UCS IPGP training model is developmental. Advanced Practicum students are assisted in learning and developing their group psychotherapy skills through supervision and co-leading an interpersonal process psychotherapy group for the academic year. During supervision and participation in leading a psychotherapy group, Advanced Practicum students learn group psychotherapy intervention/techniques, enhance their group leadership skills, continue to develop an awareness of diversity, and learn to use strategies and techniques based on theory and/or research.
Advanced Practicum students make a one-year (fall and spring semesters) commitment to participate, and they are encouraged to participate during the summer as well. Groups start the first week of classes and extend to the last week of classes each semester. As a speaking co-leader, Advanced Practicum students are expected to assume full responsibility for the therapy groups they are assigned to, along with and as supervised by, a UCS senior staff member. These responsibilities include mandatory attendance at all group therapy sessions and all group therapy supervision sessions (Friday mornings or Wednesday afternoons). Responsibilities also include administrative duties such as pre-group interviews, session notes, terminations, transfers, and other case management tasks.
Average Activity per Week
Direct Services
- Group Therapy: 2 hours
Supervision
- Supervision of group therapy: 1.5 hours
The hours indicated do not include paperwork, pre-screenings, and post-processing.