The Internship, Practicum, and Field Placement Handbook: A Guide for the Helping Professions

Acknowledging, anticipating, and addressing the everyday questions, anxieties, fears, and concerns of interns, this practical handbook bridges the gap between academic coursework and the knowledge, skills, and emotional challenges that are found in the "real world" of the helping professions. Organized both chronologically and topically, it begins with practical suggestions for how one finds an internship and concludes with how one terminates cases and looks ahead to career options. Includes exercises for self-exploration and easily-removed forms for evaluations, critical information, ethics and other essential tasks. Draws upon the latest research and information from psychology, psychiatry, social work, counseling, and other helping professions -- as well as extensive personal experience. Covers: Preparation; Getting Started; Ethical and Legal Issues; Internship Classes and Peer Groups; Supervision; Working with Diversity; Clinical Writing; Records and Progress Notes; Stress and the Helping Professions; Self-Care; Assault and Other Risks; Closing Cases; Finishing the Internship; and Frustrations, Lessons, Discovery, and Joy. Provides a variety of "tear-out" forms/checklists: Internship Selection Checklist; Placement Information Form; Internship Learning Agreement Record Form; Intern Evaluation: Supervisor Form; Intern evaluation: Intern Form; Emergency Contact Information; Ethical Guidelines; and Treatment Agreement and Informed Consent. A reference for interns, instructors, and supervisors involved in Internship, Practicum, and Field Placements in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, and related disciplines.

This practical handbook provides an essential bridge between the academic classroom and the "real world" of the helping professions. Written in an accessible style that speaks directly to the student, the author draws upon the latest research and extensive personal experience to address the critical skills and knowledge that students need to succeed. The book anticipates what students will experience in the field and provides the information they need for effective, responsible and safe learning in the field.