The training of clinical skills requires the opportunity to practice these skills in an environment where behavior can be observed and appropriate feedback can be given. In the first practicum experience, students are closely supervised by core faculty at the UCF Psychology Clinic, which is located in the Psychology Building on campus. This experience provides extensive hands-on training in basic intake procedures, structured and semi-structured diagnostic interviewing, assessment (behavioral, cognitive, intellectual, personality), clinical observation, administration/interpretation of tests and instruments for quantifying level of functioning, integration of information for purposes of case conceptualization, selecting and initiating empirically-based treatment, assessing clinical outcome, oral case presentation, and writing of case notes and formal reports. Students are expected to handle a caseload of between 2 and 3 clients concurrently and document their experiences in written psychosocial histories/reports, case notes, and a clinical activity log.

A central tenet of the UCF Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is that the students should be involved in the local mental health care system. Thus, the program incorporates a “clinic without walls” concept to provide advanced practicum training. This model dictates that students will receive practical training through working in university-community partnership arrangements. Students enroll in advanced practica during their 3rd and 4th years of training (summer enrollment is optional), which include a variety of community-based placements that offer general (e.g., outpatient community mental health) and specific (neuropsychological assessment, adult/child inpatient, forensic/correctional settings) training experiences. Students maintain an ongoing caseload of psychotherapy and assessment cases in these settings. Partners include organizations such as: the UCF Counseling & Testing Center, Lakeside Alternatives, Florida Hospital, Osceola Mental Health, Inc., Department of Corrections, Center for Drug-Free Living, Seminole Community Mental Health Center, and other sites deemed appropriate for doctoral level training.

The practicum training goals reflect the Ph.D. program’s emphasis on developing scientist- practitioners. These goals include:

• Integration of a scientific and empirical orientation into clinical practice
• Familiarity with the current literature relevant to clinical activities
• Systematic training to help students develop clinical skills and conceptualize cases
• Regular supervision from on-site and program supervisors
• Ongoing therapy contact with clients
• An integration of assessment and treatment
• On-site clinical and didactic conferences and seminars

Students participate in practicum for a minimum of four semesters (typically Fall and Spring semesters in the second and third year of the program). However, students routinely sign up for practicum in every Fall and Spring semester prior to internship (starting in second year) in order to maximize clinical compentencies. Students sign up for 3 semester credit hours each semester, however, participation in the practicum will range from 10 hours per week (in the first year of practicum) to 20 hours per week (in the second and advanced years). In keeping with APA practice norms, the program attempts to provide approximately 600 hours or more of supervised clinical experience within the curriculum to help students prepare for their predoctoral internship. Additional experiences may be sought out by students in consultation with their advisor and the Director of Clinical Training.

Practicum assignments are made by the Director of Clinical Training in consultation with students and the faculty practicum committee. During the Spring semester, a list of available practicum sites for the upcoming academic year is presented in a meeting of all students and clinical faculty. Students who have previously completed a practicum at a particular site summarize their experience at that site. Students subsequently rank order their site preferences and forward this information to the practicum committee. The committee determines final placement based on multiple factors (e.g., the appropriateness of the site for the student’s level of training, past practicum placements, readiness, progress in the program, professional goals). Practicum training is considered to be as important as course work and is required of all students.