Supervised clinical experience, otherwise known as the practicum, is an essential part of the Counseling program. Its main purpose is to provide an environment for students to apply the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills learned in the classroom to the broad spectrum of human problems that confront professional counselors. Students should be aware of the need to develop their clinical skills working with diverse populations in both pre-master's and post-master's training.

The Wright Institute's legacy of social responsibility and socially relevant training provides a valuable professional asset for students applying for training positions or future jobs. Students also benefit from the Wright Institute's outstanding reputation with training directors at practicum sites throughout the region.

Practicum Sites

Practicum sites vary by the populations they serve, as well as by the treatment modality and clinical specialty implemented by the site. Practicum sites are available throughout the Bay Area and other regions of California. Available sites include, but are not limited to, state, county, and community mental health facilities, outpatient clinics, psychiatric hospitals, schools, residential treatment programs, day treatment facilities, chemical dependency treatment programs, rehabilitation programs, forensic programs, and other settings. Training sites are selected on the basis of their use of the practitioner model of training graduate level psychology students, i.e., emphasis on the acquisition of clinical skills, relevant treatment population, credentials of staff and site, availability of adequate supervision by experienced clinicians, and a commitment to training.

The Wright Institute approves each site and has a written agreement with each site that details each party's responsibilities. The agreement provides for regular progress reports and evaluations of the student's performance at the site.