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Internship handbook

(Table of contents)
Chpt 1: Introduction
Chpt 2: Why a personal therapy requirement
Chpt 3: How personal therapy works
Chpt 4: Early evaluation
Chpt 5: Professionalism
Chpt 6: Common style errors to avoid
Chpt 7: Empowering your writing
Chpt 8: Grades and GPA
Chpt 9: Avoiding burnout
Chpt 10: Various policies
Chpt 11: Student complaint process
Chpt 12: Faculty complaint process
Chpt 13: Degree candidate status
Chpt 14: Looking ahead: post graduation
Chpt 15: Applying for graduation
Chpt 16: Friday night baccalaureate
Chpt 17: The formal graduation

(On-line forms)
Common style errors   
Intent to receive therapy
Verification of therapy 
Degree candidate status

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology ("MAC")

The MAC student handbook:
Chapter 3:  How "personal therapy" works 

The process of seeking and obtaining one's personal therapy is relatively straight-forward.  However, there are a few recommendations we can offer and there are two forms that you will need to fill out.  This chapter discusses those procedures and the two forms.

When do you need therapy?

A student's personal therapy is normally expected to take place during the first two semesters of the program.  It must definitely take place before you apply for Degree Candidate Status.  (In fact, verification of having completed the therapy is a part of the application for Degree Candidate Status.)

Who can provide the therapy?

We want you to enjoy a rich experience with a therapist who will be both effective and an excellent example of professionalism.  Consequently, we have definite expectations for your therapist.  Your personal therapy, therefore, must be conducted by:

• a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• a Licensed Clinical Psychologist
• an M.D. Psychiatrist
• someone of equivalent professional training

A list of professionals who have been previously provided therapy to MAC students is available in the MAC Office.  It will give an idea of names, their contact information, and (usually) some idea of their fee structure.

As soon as you have chosen a therapist, you will need to fill out the "Intent to receive therapy" form.  This form can be filled out on-line and then printed off to drop off, fax, or mail to the MAC Office.  Approval normally only takes a few minutes and can be granted while you wait, especially if your therapist has provided therapy to MAC students in the past.

What are the goals of the therapy?

Please understand, the personal therapy requirement is not a "hoop" that we have erected for you to jump through with no other meaning.  We are passionately committed to this activity for all MAC students.  

Of course, the most important goal is to help you deal with issues that may interfere with your work in providing therapy to others.  We all have "baggage" from our past.  The issue is not so much if we have personal problems to resolve, it's more, "are we aware of those issues?"  If we are unaware of our issues, they will tend to control us, rather than us controlling them.  Knowledge gives us therapeutic power.  Awareness of issues allows us not only to avoid projecting onto our clients through some kind of a counter-transference process, but also to use our own "stuff" in the role of therapist.

We see three main goals of the personal therapy requirement.  (Feel free to share these with your therapist.)

1. to help resolve any personal or growth issues.
2. to crystallize a student's goals to study therapy
3. to obtain direct experience in the counseling process (from the client's perspective)

How does one verify completion?

In addition to a letter from the therapist, you will need to fill out a "Therapy verification" form.  If it is more convenient for you, it can be filled out on-line and then printed off to submit to the MAC Office. 

Your verification letter and the completed "Therapy verification" form will be due in the MAC office no earlier than the second semester of work and no later than the time you apply for Degree Candidate Status.

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