The Internship, Practicum, and Field Placement Handbook: A Guide for the Helping Professions

by Baird, Brian N.

• ISBN13: 9780139239625
• ISBN10: 0139239626
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-07-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

A unique core text/reference for Internships, Practicums, and Field Placements in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, and related helping disciplines. Acknowledging, anticipating, and addressing the everyday questions, anxieties, fears, and concerns of interns, this practical handbook bridges the gap between academic coursework and the knowledge, skills, and emotional challenges that are found in the real world of the helping professions. Organized both chronologically and topically, the text begins with practical suggestions for how one finds an internship and concludes with how one terminates cases and looks ahead to career options. Along the way students learn about ethics, diversity, supervision, clinical writing, liability issues, dangerousness, stress, self-care and other essential but often overlooked topics. It draws upon the latest research and information from psychology, psychiatry, social work, counseling, and other helping professions as well as extensive personal experience and includes exercises for self-exploration and discussion along with easily-removed forms for evaluations, critical information, ethics and other essential tasks.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	xi	(2)
FOREWORD BY BRUCE E. BENNETT, PH.D.	xiii
CHAPTER 1: PREPARATION	1	(16)
Theory into Practice	1	(1)
Terminology	2	(1)
Field Placements, Practicums, or Internships?	2	(1)
Therapy, Counseling, and Treatment	2	(1)
Supervisors and Instructors	2	(1)
Finding and Selecting a Placement	2	(1)
Meeting with Your Instructor	3	(1)
Peers and Campus Resources for Locating Internships	3	(1)
Community Resources	3	(1)
Choosing a Placement	4	(4)
Supervision	4	(1)
Learning Opportunities	5	(1)
Treatment Approaches	6	(1)
Clients	6	(1)
Programs and Settings	6	(1)
Career Plans	6	(1)
Practical Issues: Location and Times	7	(1)
Competence and Safety	7	(1)
Exercise	7	(1)
Portfolios, Interviews, and Letters	8	(1)
Portfolios	8	(1)
Interviews	8	(1)
Exercise	9	(1)
Letters of Application and Recommendation	9	(1)
Internship Agreements	9	(2)
Institutional Agreements	9	(2)
Individual Internship Agreements	11	(1)
Evaluation	11	(1)
Making the Most of Your Internship	11	(2)
Academia Meets the "Real World,"	11	(1)
Remember You Are a Student	12	(1)
Make the Most of Ignorance	12	(1)
Work Near Your "Learning Edge,"	12	(1)
Remember That You Do Know Some Things	12	(1)
Exercise	12	(1)
Get Help When You Need It	13	(1)
Using This Book	13	(1)
Resources and References	13	(1)
Reading as Active Interaction	13	(1)
Doing the Exercises	13	(1)
Introduction to Journal Work	14	(1)
A Record of Experiences, Reactions, and Thoughts	14	(1)
Reflection and Exploration	14	(1)
Noting Questions, Ideas, and Discoveries	15	(1)
Exercises from the Text	15	(1)
Keep This Book	15	(1)
References	15	(2)
CHAPTER 2: GETTING STARTED	17	(10)
First Impressions	17	(1)
Enthusiasm Meets Experience	18	(1)
Exercise	18	(1)
The Role of the Intern	18	(1)
The Role of the Professional	19	(1)
Meeting Clients	19	(1)
Exercise	19	(1)
Age and Experience Issues with Clients	20	(1)
Time Limits	21	(1)
Fees for Service	22	(1)
Is Treatment Effective?	22	(1)
Altruism versus Money	23	(1)
Clinical and Ethical Issues Pertaining to Fees	24	(1)
Inoculation: What Not to Learn	24	(1)
References	25	(2)
CHAPTER 3: ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES	27	(24)
Ethical Guidelines of the Helping Professions	27	(2)
Specific Ethical Guidelines	28	(1)
Enforcement of Ethical Standards	28	(1)
Ethics and Law	28	(1)
Ethical Agreement Forms for Interns	28	(1)
Ongoing Ethics Study and Training	28	(1)
Exercise	29	(1)
Competence	29	(2)
Exercise	30	(1)
Informed Consent	31	(1)
Exercise	31	(1)
Confidentiality	32	(2)
Release of Information	32	(1)
Safeguarding Records	33	(1)
Sharing Information with Colleagues	33	(1)
Inadvertent Confidentiality Violations	34	(1)
Effects of Confidentiality Violations	34	(1)
Exceptions to Confidentiality	34	(5)
Privileged Communication	35	(1)
Abuse	36	(1)
Dangerousness to Self	36	(1)
Exercise	37	(1)
Intent to Harm Others (Tarasoff Situations)	37	(1)
Legal Proceedings and Court Orders	37	(1)
Insurance Company Inquiries	38	(1)
Confidentiality with Minors	39	(1)
Dual Relationships	40	(5)
Sexual Relationships with Clients	40	(2)
Maintaining Professional Boundaries and Dealing with Feelings of Attraction	42	(1)
Nonsexual Dual Relationships	43	(1)
Posttherapy Relationships	43	(1)
Relationships between Educators, Supervisors, and Trainees	44	(1)
Liability and Insurance	45	(1)
Elements of Malpractice	45	(1)
Liability Insurance	45	(1)
Summary	46	(1)
References	46	(5)
CHAPTER 4: INTERNSHIP CLASSES AND PEER GROUPS	51	(8)
Forming Internship Peer Groups	51	(1)
Models of Peer Group Learning	51	(1)
Elements of Successful Classes and Groups	52	(3)
Exercise	53	(1)
Offering Feedback to Peers	53	(1)
The Importance of Empathy	54	(1)
Receiving Feedback	54	(1)
Acknowledging Imperfection	54	(1)
Video or Audio Recordings of Sessions	55	(1)
Exercise	55	(1)
Role Plays	55	(2)
Ethics in Classes and Groups	57	(1)
References	58	(1)
CHAPTER 5: SUPERVISION	59	(20)
Hopes and Fears	59	(2)
Hopes and Fears of Supervisors	60	(1)
Exercise	61	(1)
Clarifying Expectations	61	(1)
Frequency and Timing of Supervision	61	(1)
Content of Supervision	62	(1)
How Supervisors Determine What to Do	62	(1)
Didactic Supervision	62	(1)
Case Discussions	63	(1)
The Socratic Method	63	(1)
Empathy and Experiential Considerations	63	(1)
Tapes and Role Plays	64	(1)
Live Supervision	65	(1)
Observing the Supervisor in Therapy	65	(1)
Exercise	66	(1)
Theoretical Orientation	66	(1)
Supervision and Therapy--Differences and Similarities	67	(2)
Differences between Therapy and Supervision	67	(1)
Exploring the Needs and Personal Qualities of Interns	68	(1)
Exercise	69	(1)
Resistance to Self-Awareness and Change	69	(2)
Exercise	71	(1)
Transference and Countertransference	71	(1)
Exercise	71	(1)
Suggested Guidelines for Therapy and Supervision	71	(1)
Exercise	72	(1)
Conflict in Supervision	72	(2)
Frequency and Resolution of Conflicts	72	(1)
Guidelines for Dealing with Conflict	73	(1)
Evaluation	74	(2)
Principles of Evaluations	74	(1)
Evaluation of Supervisors	75	(1)
Planning for Future Supervision	76	(1)
References	76	(3)
CHAPTER 6: WORKING WITH DIVERSITY	79	(16)
Reasons for and Resistance to Diversity Training	79	(3)
Resistance	80	(1)
A Reformulation of Diversity	81	(1)
Steps toward Working with Differences	82	(1)
Knowing the Diversity within Us	82	(2)
Terminology Matters	82	(1)
Exercise: Knowing Yourself in Relation to Diversity	83	(1)
Confronting Our Biases and Acknowledging Our Ignorance	84	(1)
Exercise: Knowing What You Know and Don't Know about Others	84	(1)
The Historical Context Must Be Acknowledged	85	(1)
References to Multicultural History	85	(1)
Suggested Readings	85	(1)
The Current Context Must Be Acknowledged	86	(1)
Strengths Must Be Recognized along with Problems	86	(1)
Ethnic Identity Development	86	(1)
One's Own Prejudices and Biases Must Be Acknowledged	87	(1)
A Model of "White" Identity Development	88	(1)
Exercise: Personal Cultural Identity	89	(1)
Assumptions, Models, and Techniques of Treatment	89	(1)
Exercise	90	(1)
The Culturally Sensitive Counselor	90	(1)
Culturally Sensitive Intervention Approaches	91	(1)
Culture-Specific Counseling	91	(1)
Exercise: Exploring Culture-Specific Strategies	91	(1)
Resources	92	(1)
Special Issues of Journals	92	(1)
Books	92	(1)
References	92	(3)
CHAPTER 7: CLINICAL WRITING	95	(9)
Writing Can Be Learned	95	(1)
Focusing Reading to Learn Writing	95	(1)
Exercise	96	(1)
Practice and Feedback	96	(1)
Rewriting	97	(1)
Common Writing Problems	97	(1)
Caution: Tastes, Supervisors, and Instructors Vary	98	(1)
Keys to Good Writing	98	(4)
Simplify Your Writing but Not Your Clients	98	(1)
Omit Needless Words	99	(1)
Choose Words Carefully	100	(1)
Exercise	100	(1)
Clarity	101	(1)
Know Your Audience	102	(1)
Exercise	102	(1)
References	102	(2)
CHAPTER 8: RECORDS AND PROGRESS NOTES	104	(12)
The Function and Maintenance of Records	104	(1)
What Goes into Records	105	(1)
Exercise	105	(1)
What Stays Out of Records	106	(2)
Protecting Clients	106	(1)
Protecting Yourself	107	(1)
Progress Notes	108	(1)
Exercise	108	(1)
The Purpose of Progress Notes	108	(1)
Types of Progress Notes	108	(1)
Style of Progress Notes	109	(1)
Structured Note Formats	109	(1)
Standard Formats	109	(1)
DART Notes	109	(2)
Description	109	(1)
Assessment	110	(1)
Response	110	(1)
Treatment Plan	110	(1)
DART in Practice	111	(1)
SOAP Notes	111	(1)
Exercise	111	(1)
Time Sequenced Notes	111	(1)
Process or Progress Notes	112	(1)
Signing Notes	112	(1)
Dictation	113	(1)
Exercise	113	(1)
Progress Notes and Supervision	113	(1)
Using Your Notes	113	(1)
Other Guidelines	114	(1)
References	115	(1)
CHAPTER 9: STRESS AND THE HELPING PROFESSIONS	116	(13)
Exercise	116	(1)
Client after Client, Day after Day	117	(1)
How Common Is Stress among Helping Professionals?	117	(1)
Sources of Stress	118	(1)
Client Behaviors	118	(1)
Therapist Experiences	119	(1)
Therapist Cognitions	119	(1)
Exercise	119	(1)
The Effects of Stress	119	(3)
Physical Effects	120	(1)
The Effects on Social Relationships	120	(1)
Exercise	121	(1)
The Effects on Close Relationships and Families	122	(1)
Exercise	122	(1)
Burnout	122	(4)
Symptoms of Burnout	123	(1)
Stages of Burnout	123	(1)
Measures of Burnout	123	(1)
Causes of Burnout	124	(1)
Individual Factors	124	(1)
Organizational Factors	124	(1)
The State of the World	125	(1)
Recognizing and Understanding Your Own Situation and Burnout	125	(1)
Personal and Environmental Burnout Proneness or Prevention	126	(1)
Self-Evaluation Exercise	126	(1)
Burnout as a Coping Mechanism	126	(1)
References	126	(3)
CHAPTER 10: SELF-CARE	129	(12)
Time Management	129	(1)
Exercise: Tracking Where Time Goes	129	(1)
Saying "No,"	130	(1)
Saying "Yes,"	130	(1)
Exercise: Setting Priorities	130	(1)
Closing Sessions	130	(1)
Cognitive Self-Care	131	(3)
Cognitions about Self	131	(1)
Cognitions about Clients	132	(1)
Cognitions about Therapy	132	(1)
Cognitions about the World	133	(1)
Exercise: Cognitions Review	134	(1)
Physical Self-Care	134	(2)
Physical Exercise	134	(1)
Massage	134	(1)
Monitoring Stresses in the Body	135	(1)
Healthy Eating and Habits	135	(1)
Exercise: Personal Physical Health-Care Review	136	(1)
Emotional Self-Care	136	(1)
Self-Checks	136	(1)
Cleansing Rituals	136	(1)
Support	137	(1)
Letting Off Steam	137	(1)
Exercise: Emotional Coping	137	(1)
Personal Therapy	137	(1)
Exercise	138	(1)
Positive Effects on Therapists	138	(1)
Exercise: Positive Effects of Clinical Work	138	(1)
Financial Self-Care	139	(1)
References	140	(1)
CHAPTER 11: ASSAULT AND OTHER RISKS	141	(12)
The Risks of Assault	142	(1)
Coping with Aggression	142	(1)
Strange Behavior and Strange People Are Not Necessarily Dangerous	143	(1)
Understand Developmental Differences	143	(1)
Exercise	143	(1)
Understand and Recognize Motivational Factors	143	(1)
Situational Factors and Violence	144	(2)
Similarities to Past Situations	144	(1)
Stress	145	(1)
Controlled Substances and Medications	145	(1)
Patient Mental Status	145	(1)
Weapons	146	(1)
Recognize Potentially Dangerous Individuals	146	(1)
Early Prevention of Violence	147	(1)
Institutional Responses to Threats of Violence	148	(1)
Prevention of Imminent Violence with Clients	148	(1)
Responding to Assault	149	(1)
Clothing	149	(1)
Office Layout	149	(1)
Communication	149	(1)
Dangerous and Defensive Implements	150	(1)
Assault Response Training	150	(1)
Aftereffects	150	(1)
References	151	(2)
CHAPTER 12: CLOSING CASES	153	(9)
Client and Intern Response to Termination	153	(2)
Understanding Client Reactions to Early Termination	153	(1)
Exercise	154	(1)
Understanding Intern Reactions to Termination	154	(1)
Exercise	154	(1)
Common Problems in Termination	155	(1)
Toward Successful Termination or Transfer	155	(3)
Challenges to Assumptions about Termination as Crisis	155	(1)
Client Selection	156	(1)
Working with Supervisors to Prepare for Termination	156	(1)
Exercise	157	(1)
When and How to Notify Clients	157	(1)
Issues to Address in Termination	158	(1)
Techniques for Termination	158	(1)
Exercise	159	(1)
Transferring Clients to Other Therapists	159	(2)
Toward Effective Transfers	160	(1)
References	161	(1)
CHAPTER 13: FINISHING THE INTERNSHIP	162	(6)
Concluding the Supervisory Relationship	162	(2)
Ensuring Therapeutic Termination with Clients	162	(1)
Exercise	162	(1)
Reviewing the Intern's Progress and Areas for Further Growth	163	(1)
Exercise	163	(1)
Feedback to Supervisors	163	(1)
Ending the Supervisory Relationship	163	(1)
Letters of Recommendation	164	(1)
Requesting Letters	164	(1)
Guidelines for Soliciting Letters	165	(1)
Procedures for Those Seeking Letters of Recommendation	165	(1)
Concluding Relationships with Staff	165	(1)
Letters of Thanks	166	(1)
Looking Ahead	166	(1)
Professional and Political Involvement	167	(1)
References	167	(1)
CHAPTER 14: FRUSTRATIONS, LESSONS, DISCOVERIES, AND JOY	168	(5)
Learning from Whatever Happens	168	(1)
Exercise	168	(1)
Lessons We Wish Were Not True	168	(2)
The People in the Profession	168	(1)
The Systems in Which We Work	169	(1)
The Clients with Whom We Work	169	(1)
The Nature of the Problems	169	(1)
The Limits to Our Knowledge and Tools	170	(1)
Lessons about Ourselves	170	(1)
Lessons about the Lessons	170	(1)
Discoveries and Joy	170	(1)
People in the Profession	170	(1)
The Systems in Which We Work	171	(1)
The Clients with Whom We Work	171	(1)
The Nature of the Problems	171	(1)
The Limits to Our Knowledge and Tools	171	(1)
Lessons about Ourselves	171	(1)
Closing Comments	171	(2)
APPENDIX A: INTERNSHIP SELECTION CHECKLIST	173	(4)
APPENDIX B: PLACEMENT INFORMATION FORM	177	(2)
APPENDIX C: INTERNSHIP LEARNING AGREEMENT RECORD FORM	179	(2)
APPENDIX D: INTERN EVALUATION: SUPERVISOR FORM	181	(5)
APPENDIX E: INTERN EVALUATION: INTERN FORM	186	(5)
APPENDIX F: EMERGENCY CONTACT AND PROCEDURES INFORMATION	191	(2)
APPENDIX G: ETHICAL GUIDELINES	193	(2)
APPENDIX H: TREATMENT AGREEMENT AND INFORMED CONSENT	195	(3)
APPENDIX I: SUPERVISOR EVALUATION FORM	198	(5)
INDEXES	203
Author Index	203	(4)
Subject Index	207