Boynton Advanced Psychology Practicum

About the Program

The Advanced Psychology Practicum Training at Boynton Mental Health and Counseling is focused primarily on two overarching goals: The development of strong counseling skills and strengthening a sense of professional identity, which includes attitudes and behaviors consistent with functioning in an ethical and professional manner with clients as well as colleagues in a university counseling center.

Individual counseling at Boynton Mental Health & Counseling employs a short-term, goal-focused model, which is standard for counseling at most university and college counseling centers. 

Across the different theoretical approaches, we focus more on the relationship factors, including empirically-supported relationship factors, that lead to effective counseling and good outcomes, as opposed to teaching specific techniques.  Consequently, much of our counseling, assessment, and training revolves around the development and use of self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-assessment.

We also promote a scholarly approach to clinical work that includes consultation and utilization of relevant research and other professional literature, as well as the use of the scientific method in our clinical work to make hypotheses, test them out, and evaluate the effectiveness of our counseling.  We strive to help the Advanced Practicum trainees articulate their own understanding of how change occurs, so they can clarify and identify their own theoretical orientation to clinical work. 

Competencies

Building strong counseling skills and further developing professional identity are the foundation of our training, but each trainee‘s particular goals will vary. Trainees reach those goals through focusing on APA Competency Domains relevant to and adapted for our particular setting. The APA Competency Domains and subcomponents addressed in the Advanced Practicum are as follows:

  1. Professionalism
    1. Professional Values and Attitudes
    2. Individual and Cultural Diversity
    3. Ethical Legal Standards and Policy
    4. Reflective Practice/Self-Assessment/Self-Care
  2. Relationships
    1. With Clients
    2. With Supervisor
    3. With Other SCS Professionals and Trainees
    4. With Support Staff
    5. Interdisciplinary
  3. Application
    1. Assessment
    2. Intervention
    3. Consultation
  4. Science
    1. Scientific Knowledge and Methods

Learning Objectives

The following Learning Objectives serve as a developmental guide for setting individual goals or for clarifying expectations for advanced practicum performance.  The SCS Learning Objectives are separated into four areas:

  • Counselor attitudes
  • Basic counseling skills
  • The counseling process
  • Assessment

Structure 

Trainees will see a wide range of issues presenting in a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students. Clinical activities include the following:

  • Initial Consultations/Walk-In Crisis Assessment
  • Individual Personal Counseling
  • Individual Career Counseling
  • Individual Academic Counseling
  • Two Outreach Events

Supervision 

  • Supervision is provided by licensed doctoral psychologists.

Schedule

  • Placements are decided early in February. Students then complete their advanced practicum during the following Fall and Spring semesters. Orientation takes place in late August, and attendance is required.
  • Students may apply for one of two training options:
    • A) 18 hours per week.
      • 9 hours of direct service (6 hours of Individual Counseling and 3 hours of Initial Consultations/Walk-In Crisis Counseling)
      • 1 ~ 1.5 hours of Individual Supervision
      • 2 hours of didactic Seminar (Fridays, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.)
      • 5.5 hours for Administrative responsibilities (paperwork, case review, outreach, etc.)
    • B) 20 hours per week:
      • 10 hours of direct service (7 hours of Individual Counseling and 3 hours of Initial Consultations/Walk-In Crisis Counseling)
      • 1 ~ 1.5 hours of Individual Supervision
      • 2 hours of didactic Seminar (Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
      • 6.5 hours for Administrative responsibilities (paperwork, case review, outreach, etc.)

Eligibility

Boynton Mental Health and Counseling Advanced Practicum applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for our program:

  • Current enrollment in a doctoral program
  • Completion of at least one prior practicum in personal/mental health counseling during master’s or doctoral-level training.

Priority is given to applicants with more extensive training. Experience with career or academic counseling and assessment, as well as personality assessment, is valued.

Application

Application Materials:

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation, with at least one of the letters from the clinical supervisor
  • Graduate-level academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) indicating completion of a basic counseling course

Please email applications to:

Ian K. Evans, Psy. D.
Staff Psychologist & Training Lead
E-mail: [email protected]

Timeline:

• February 1, 2026: Deadline for students to submit application materials for interview consideration
• February 2, 2026: Interview scheduling begins
• February 9 - 13, 2026: Interviews conducted
• February 16, 2026: Initial offers for placement made