Psychological Services Center
One common practicum assignment is the Department's Psychological Services Center. This setting offers services to the community on a sliding fee basis. Therapy with adults and children is supervised by Psychology Department faculty. In addition to individual therapy, opportunities for group, couples, and family therapy are also available. The Psychological Services Center also presents rotations in several specialty clinics.
University Counseling Center
A second common practicum placement is the University Counseling Center, where students work with undergraduates under the supervision of the staff of the Counseling Center. Practicum students provide therapy and psychological testing and assessment. The theoretical orientation tends to be psychodynamic, but there is some exposure to cognitive-behavioral approaches. Students can be involved in groups for eating disorders and for victims of sexual assault.
Adult Outpatient Services Clinic
Students may also gain clinical experience at at the Adult Outpatient Services Clinic at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Medical Center. This setting offers individual and group therapy with a variety of outpatient populations. The clinic serves a large number of individuals with severe mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The therapy tends to be psychoeducational and skills based. There is also an opportunity to gain some assessment experience.
Experience in conducting psychotherapy and clinical assessment is achieved through five semesters of required practicum placements, mostly completed during the second and third years.