The TCU Counseling and Mental Health Center provides practicum training for graduate students in counseling and clinical psychology, which comprises both fall and spring semesters (August through May). Training is tailored to each trainee’s developmental level. Training experiences are designed to enable growth, including increased self-awareness and development of clinical skills. Trainees receive exposure to a varied range of professional activities, are provided strong supervision of clinical skills and other professional endeavors. 

Practicum Activities

Services provided by practicum trainees include:

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy (co-facilitator)
• Outreach (ex. puppy therapy event, psychoeducational presentations)
• Consultation
• Referrals (psychiatric and off-campus)
• Triage and Drop In

Presenting concerns addressed at the Center include anxiety, depression, interpersonal/relationship issues, athletic and performance issues, body image concerns, eating disorders, sexual identity issues, grief and loss and transition issues.  The groups program includes those centered on interpersonal process, graduate student support, LGBTQ+ support, meditation, grief and loss, and therapeutic art. TCU has strong suicide prevention efforts which are encompassed in a suicide prevention campaign and QPR programs. The goal of the center is to provide support and assistance to TCU students, in order to facilitate a successful university experience. 

Training Environment

TCU offers a unique training environment situated in a university counseling center:

• Open door policy to enable consultation with our multidisciplinary staff
• Trainees are afforded the opportunity to co-facilitate a group while at TCU
• Inclusion of optional focus area if desired by trainee, for experience in a particular area of interest (ex: international students, sports psychology consultation)
• Direct supervision by an experienced, licensed staff member each semester
• Opportunity to work with a range of TCU students, including diversity in age, family system, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and religion/spirituality, among other areas 

TCU is a private teaching and research university located in Fort Worth, Texas. The university has a population of approximately 10,000 students. TCU’s athletic teams compete within the Big 12 Conference, and in place are 118 areas of undergraduate study, 53 master’s level programs, and 25 areas of doctoral study. TCU is historically affiliated with, but not governed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). TCU is committed to values-centered education that promotes high academic achievement, inclusiveness, respect for the individual, and service to others.

Direct questions and applications to the Training Director-

Kristin Harris-McDonald, Ph.D., k.mcdonald@tcu.edu

The Counseling & Mental Health Center hosts a Graduate Assistantship (GA) position through the TCU College of Education. This GA position is not a clinical position, but rather focused on providing education, screenings, outreach and programming for our substance use and recovery services. TCU College of Education: Graduate Assistantship Program