Additional Resources and Training Experiences

Interns take part in a comprehensive orientation during their first month at Texas A&M. The primary goals of the orientation program are to give interns a substantial amount of basic information about CAPS and acquaint interns with the individuals with whom they will be working in a variety of professional relationships.

CAPS and the larger university community present the interns with many possibilities for learning beyond those specified as core activities and training options. Interns are exposed to all of the resources and opportunities listed below and sometimes utilize them to develop specialized training options.

Each intern is required to give two formal case presentations, with assessment instruments, to the CAPS professional staff. Presenting a client case provides an opportunity for interns to articulate to CAPS staff their theoretical orientation and demonstrate their case conceptualization skills. This type of experience should also help prepare the intern to discuss his or her therapeutic style and give effective case presentations in future job interviews.

The Texas A&M University Student body is composed of students with diverse ethnic backgrounds. Students from all over the world are enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs. This cultural diversity gives interns the opportunity to gain experience in multicultural counseling with international students as well as with Hispanic and African-American students.. Also, the more than 2,000 international students create and attract a wide variety of cultural events throughout the year. Opportunities with Hispanic and African-American students include co-leading support groups, drop-in counseling, and outreach programming, To enhance their own personal growth, interns can find opportunities for networking and socializing with cultural groups similar to and different from their own.

Each workstation is connected to a Logitech USB QuickCam 5000, which is mapped to a centrally located storage space housing each counselor's video folder allowing supervisors to view their recordings.

Electronic client notes and scheduling
We use an accessible, web-based electronic record keeping application that serves several core counseling center functions including access to client information, case notes, supervisory and administrative functions, etc.

CAPS employs staff to provide psychiatric services for TAMU students and consultation with CAPS staff. Interns have opportunities to be involved with the psychiatric team in a number of training program activities including observation and occasional participation in client evaluations, consultation regarding treatment strategies, and information exchange regarding professional development and special areas of expertise. In addition, the psychiatry team provides didactic presentations regarding psychopharmacology, assessment procedures and treatment interventions.

The HelpLine provides a "listening ear," information, support, referrals, and crisis intervention for Texas A &M students. Interns have many training options available through the HelpLine. During initial HelpLine training, interns have often provided content sessions, demonstrations, and supervision of the small-group role play training that occurs daily during the six days of the training week. Interns have occasionally provided continuing education sessions for the HelpLine workers. Interns can co-lead, for one or more semesters, one of the on-going weekly small group supervision sessions required for all HelpLine workers. Interns may also elect to provide direct coverage of the HelpLine or assistance with the administrative side of running a crisis hot line.

Interns have the chance to serve as informal role-models and mentors to HelpLine students, many of whom are planning to enter the mental health or medical field. Interns report hat this is quite enjoyable and fulfilling, and it provides a nice balance and contrast to the more typical interactions they have with students through the counseling relationship.