Counselling Centre

About our Camosun Counselling Department

Camosun's Counselling Team is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of registered Camosun students by providing professional, short-term individual and group counselling services. The students we support arrive at the college from a wide variety of experiences of identity, as well as cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our services are geared towards facilitating emotional and psychological wellness, removing potential barriers to academic success, and helping students to thrive during their studies.

We have counselling offices located at both Lansdowne and Interurban campuses and our service hours are 9am-4pm weekdays.

Our Training Program

Practicum student counsellors who undertake a placement with the Camosun Counselling team can expect to gain experience as a generalist counsellor. Practicum student counsellors will be encouraged to develop their practice from a trauma informed lens, while solidifying the unique theoretical underpinnings of their work. Practicum student counsellors will be supported to expand their understanding of the processes of change and emphasize responsible, competent and ethical considerations in their counselling practice.

Practicum student counsellors will participate in activities and roles typical of college counsellors at the Counselling Centre. In addition to a primary supervisor, practicum student counsellors will have the opportunity to draw on the support and knowledge of the entire counselling team. Student counsellors will also have the opportunity to see how our team members collaborate with allied professionals within the Department of Student Affairs and the larger Camosun College community.

Some or all of the practicum program may be delivered online due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety protocols. In this case, counselling will be offered by phone and video with supervision also taking place virtually.

Core Activities

• Orientation: [approximately 16 hours at start of placement]
  Practicum student counsellors will participate in an orientation to the Camosun Counselling Department’s facilities and administrative procedures prior to the commencement of the fall semester. The orientation will occur in the last week of August and the first week of September.
• Counselling: [approximately 6 hours / week]
  The Counselling Centre is a training site for students already possessing advanced helping skills. Our work is based on a short-term service delivery model, though practicum student counsellors will have the option of engaging in a limited number of ongoing counselling relationships (for example, meeting bi-weekly over a semester). Direct service will primarily include individual counselling sessions, with the possibility of taking part in group counselling, workshop facilitation and/or outreach.
• Supervision: [normally 2 hours / week]
  The Supervisor is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. Practicum student counsellors will receive supervisory feedback on their counselling practice through direct video review. Peer support and case consultation will also take place.
• Staff Meetings and case consult: [1.5-3 hours bi-weekly]
  Practicum counsellors are invited to participate in staff meetings and departmental case consult.
• Seminars: [1-2 hours weekly]
  Practicum counsellors will participate in weekly seminars on various topics led by Camosun counsellors. Examples of topics to be covered include: risk assessment, ethics, Indigenous approaches to clinical work, etc.
• Indirect service: [3-5 hours weekly]
  Practicum counsellors will engage in various other activities including documentation, preparation for supervision, video review, consulting informally with counselling team, and clinical readings.

Eligibility and Application Information

Practicum Eligibility

Practicum student counsellor positions will be reserved for those persons who:

• Are graduate students currently enrolled in a Master of Arts or Master of Education degree in counselling at a recognized university
• Have successfully completed an initial counselling practicum
• Demonstrate advanced counselling skills and success in related coursework
• Can make a commitment of 8 months from September to April
• Demonstrate enthusiasm about participating in practicum core activities

Application Requirements

If you are interested in being considered for an advanced practicum placement with us, please submit the following documents and information:

• A cover letter introducing yourself and your theoretical orientation. Please also describe your interest in, and suitability to, this practicum site
• A current resume or CV
• Two signed letters of recommendation with current contact information (one letter from a supervisor who has observed your clinical/practical experience and one letter from an Instructor/Professor commenting on your academic performance).
• A recent copy of your university academic transcript

Email your completed practicum application package to Laura Paetkau at paetkauL@camosun.ca

Interviews and Selection Criteria

While we appreciate all expressions of interest in our advanced practicum program, only students with previous counselling-related clinical and/or practical experience will be considered.

Candidate interviews will follow shortly after the application deadline. During the interview, candidates will be asked to discuss their interests and qualifications, as well as take part in a counselling session role play.

Qualifications assessed will include such things as:

• Related experience
• Counselling knowledge, skills and clinical approach or style
• Case conceptualization, theoretical framework and ethics
• Personal suitability (e.g. judgment, flexibility, sensitivity to diversity, openness to feedback, teamwork) and "fit" with our team

If you require further information or have any questions, please contact Laura Paetkau at paetkauL@camosun.ca or call 250-370-3575.