During practicum, you will engage in practical, relevant, and meaningful experiences in a clinical setting. Practicum is your opportunity to observe the workings of counseling sites, apply the knowledge gained in the classroom, and continue to develop your counseling practice through supervised clinical experience. You are strongly encouraged to immerse yourself in the hands-on learning processes – learning beyond what’s simply required is essential for professional and personal growth.
Practicum Site Requirements
Under the supervision of a qualified site supervisor and in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Behavioral Sciences, professional clinical training experiences should include but are not limited to: case conceptualization, individual and group counseling, psychotherapeutic treatment, diagnosis, assessment, psychoeducation, health and wellness promotion, and career counseling.
Clinical Counselor Trainees can be placed only in sites that have an active approved Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Redlands. Criteria that are used in determining site eligibility include the following:
- The availability of supervisors who meet the qualifications as specified below and work on-site.
- The site’s willingness to permit Counselor Trainees to audio or videotape their work and to (a) use those recordings in their on-site supervision and (b) permit the use of those recordings in the CMHC 699 practicum courses.
- The site may not be a private practice setting.
- The site is a clinical setting or community mental health setting that lawfully and regularly provides mental health counseling or psychotherapy.
Site Supervisor Requirements
Per the Board of Behavioral Sciences’ Statutes and Regulations, a qualified supervisor:
- has held an active license for at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision as either:
- A licensed professional clinical counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed educational psychologist*, or equivalent out of-state license OR a physician and surgeon who is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
- has practiced psychotherapy, provided psychological counseling, or provided direct clinical supervision of psychotherapy for at least two years within the five-year period immediately preceding any supervision.
- has sufficient experience, training, and education in the area of clinical supervision to competently supervise associates.
- has not provided therapeutic services to the Counselor Trainee.
- has a current and valid license that is not under suspension or probation.
- is not a spouse, domestic partner, or relative of the Counselor Trainee.
- does not currently have or previously had a personal, professional, or business relationship with the supervisee that undermines the authority or effectiveness of the supervision.
*A licensed educational psychologist may only supervise the provision of educationally related mental health services that are consistent with the scope of practice of an educational psychologist.
Entering the Field
During the second year of your program, you will begin your practicum experience in a clinical setting. To enter the field as a counselor trainee, please follow the steps outlined below.
Students are expected to develop a professional identity through membership in professional organizations. These organizations provide professional development opportunities through workshops, seminars, conferences, and professional publications at little to no additional cost to their student members.
American Counseling Association (ACA)
As a CMHC student, you are required to join the ACA as a student member. Student membership provides discounted professional liability insurance, which is required for practicum.
Optional Professional Organizations
Students considering licensure in California as an LPCC or LMFT should also consider joining other organizations such as:
While completing your first year of coursework, begin to think about your areas of interest within clinical counseling and how your practicum experience will align with your professional and personal goals. As practicum plays a central role in your development as a clinical counselor, it is the time for you to explore and learn about the counseling services, spaces, and populations that interest you the most.
You can begin to identify your professional and personal goals by:
- Attending webinars and professional development events
- Discussing your interests with faculty and other counseling students
- Utilizing the Office of Career and Professional Development's resources and services
- Exploring resources available through community partners and professional organizations
When considering where you will complete your practicum experience, you should consider how each potential site will help you meet your professional and personal goals. You should identify how each site's mission, purpose, and direct and indirect services offered will align with your values and allow you to explore your areas of interest. The Office of Career and Professional Development can provide you with services and support as you prepare to locate and apply to practicum sites. You can also find examples of past practicum sites on the Practicum Opportunities page.
As you explore options for practicum sites, it is important that you inquire about the process and timeline for placement as well as confirm the prospective Site Supervisor meets the eligibility requirements for supervision (refer to your program handbook and the site requirements accordion on this webpage for specific site supervisor requirements).
In addition, please review our active partnership list to determine whether a partnership is in place with your potential practicum site.
Note: If you are interested in an organization not currently partnered with the university, please notify the Office of Licensures and Credentialing (olc@redlands.edu) via e-mail as new practicum partnerships require a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Redlands and the site before you can begin practicum with the site.
Once you have identified the sites that interest you the most, you will submit your applications, recognizing that each site is likely to have its own application deadlines. It is advisable that you work with the Office of Career and Professional Development prior to applying so you can obtain help and feedback on your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and cover letters.
Please note that students who pass the first review, based on their written materials, will usually be invited to the next step—an interview.
Upon selection by the site for practicum placement, you will be responsible for having your qualified site supervisor submit the Practicum Site Agreement Form. Provide your site supervisor with the link to the form (https://forms.office.com/r/V5fG6Q2LDc). If you are extending your time at a current/former site, please have your site supervisor submit a new practicum agreement to indicate they agree to supervise you for the extended period of time.
Before you commence at the site, become familiar with their policies and procedures and participate in an Orientation. Establish a weekly training and supervision schedule with your clinical supervisor. Be sure to disclose to each client that you are a Counselor in Training and have them complete an Informed Consent Form.
Application Deadlines
| Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | Friday, February 14, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | Friday, May 23, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | Friday, October 3, 2025 |
| Summer 2026 | Friday, February 13, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 | Friday, May 22, 2026 |
Have Questions? Need Support?
Student Success Advisors focus on providing comprehensive support and guidance. Learn more about how to receive support from the Student Success Center.