Graduate Practicum Training Program

CSUSB’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) supports the University’s mission of academic success and social justice through promoting the mental well-being of CSUSB students, the campus community, and the surrounding region. This is achieved through mental health counseling, advocacy, outreach, and consultation in a safe, supportive, and culturally informed environment.  We also believe in applying the same high standards to the development of those students who participate in the CAPS Practicum Training Program. 

CAPS is committed to providing support and training opportunities that advance the academic and personal growth needs of practicum students. CAPS seeks to encourage self-awareness and personal responsibility that fosters increased skill and confidence within a diverse environment.  Our staff is dedicated to the education and training of developing therapists, focusing on experience-based learning.  Our goal is to provide trainees with the necessary guidance, support, and experience to help them develop the skills and professional identities essential to becoming competent multicultural clinicians.

Two to Four Practicum Positions

A minimum of 20 hours per week is required.  

A minimum of 650 total hours is required to satisfactorily complete the practicum.  

Training begins 8/5/2024 and ends 5/22/2025.

CAPS hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Practicum trainees  will work with their supervisors to determine their Monday through Thursday schedules.

Attendance on Fridays is mandatory.

Attendance at staff meetings, case consultations, didactics, and individual and group supervision is required.

CSUSB Counseling and Psychological Services is a university counseling center that provides mental health treatment to CSUSB students. The campus is a Hispanic Serving Institution, 82% of students are first-generation students, and approximately 63% are low SES.

The average age of CSUSB undergraduate students is 22 and the average age of graduate students is 22. However, CAPS clients range in age from 18 years old to a small number of students in their 50s, 60s and 70s.

Students present to CAPS with a very broad range of demographics, diversity, and presenting concerns. Presenting diagnoses range from mild to very severe acuity and may include developmental, relationship, academic and other psychosocial matters.

Trainees will complete intake evaluations of individuals, determine diagnosis, develop treatment plans, conduct psychotherapy, perform crisis intervention, co-facilitate a group <see Groups page>, and present at least one wellness workshop <see Workshop page> to the campus community.  

Trainees may also provide consultation to campus staff, faculty and others.  Opportunities to participate in outreach and presentations to residence halls and other student organizations are available.

CAPS works collaboratively with the CSUSB Student Health Center and offers interdisciplinary interactions with the medical staff including psychiatry, pharmacy, and health and wellness educators.  

All individual sessions are digitally recorded.  Note, no information regarding clients is permitted to leave CAPS, including recorded media.

CAPS utilizes the electronic medical record Titanium, and the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS-62 or CCAPS-34) can be given at every session. However, CAPS is not an "assessment" site.

A combination of integrative approaches are utilized including, but not limited to CBT, Psychodynamic, Object Relations, Interpersonal, Attachment, Feminist, Narrative and Multicultural therapy, in a short-term framework. 

CAPS primarily provides time-limited individual therapy; however, practicum students are permitted to carry 1-2 long-term cases.

Both in-person and virtual services are offered for CSUSB students but practicum trainees will deliver both from onsite at CSUSB CAPS.

No stipend is available.

All trainees are supervised by licensed SSP-AR Counseling Faculty (licensed psychologists, LMFTs, LCSWs or LPCCs), who must be current in supervision continuing education requirements set forth by the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners and/or the California Board of Psychology, and must adhere to current professional ethical guidelines and state statutes.

Trainees will be provided with a minimum of one hour individual supervision and two hours group supervision weekly. Unless a change becomes necessary, a trainee's primary supervisor will remain the same through their appointed term at CAPS.  The group supervisor will typically change at least once, offering the trainee exposure to a variety of styles, perspectives and theoretical orientations. 

Applicants must have completed 1 to 2 years of practicum or have transferable mental health experience (e.g. 1:1 setting providing behavioral or emotional support (e.g. rehab specialist, crisis counselor, behavior specialist), or experience working/teaching with "at risk" individuals (e.g. group home, foster youth, etc.).

Interested applicants from programs with whom CAPS as a Training Agreement/MOU, please email the following to jsimmons@csusb.edu by January 19, 2024:

• Cover letter
• CV/Resume
• Three letters of recommendation

Selected applicants will be invited to chose a time to interview in-person on Monday January 29 or Tuesday January 30, 2024.  

Chosen applicants will be required to pass a background check.

Julie Simmons, MA, Psy.D.
Clinical Training Coordinator
jsimmons@csusb.edu