Everything you need for life outside the classroom
If you’re studying social work, psychology or mental health counseling, our training programs can help you reach your goals.
Your training will be tailored to your experience, your skills and your needs. Here, you can develop your own individual therapeutic style as you are exposed to a wide variety of theoretical orientations (including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, interpersonal, developmental, systems, feminist, multicultural, gestalt, humanistic, existential, eclectic and integrative). While we advocate broad exposure to a variety of professional activities, the foundation of our philosophy is a genuine commitment to intensive supervision, and to your personal and professional growth. Here, we seek to create an atmosphere of respect and trust within a multifaceted, service-oriented agency.
The Counseling Services main offices are located on UB’s North Campus, inside the university’s largest residence hall complex (Ellicott Complex). These facilities include office space and group space, as well as technology designed to support our activities. In addition, Counseling Services maintains a second location in Michael Hall — a residence hall on UB’s South Campus.
Counseling Services works closely with other units, departments and programs throughout the university, including areas that deal with student health, wellness and housing.
UB is one of the most diverse universities in the United States, with many traditionally underrepresented groups, as well as a large population of international students. Through our training programs, you will likely have exposure to clients of differing ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, religious backgrounds, ages, genders, abilities and other diversity factors. This diversity is also reflected in the Counseling Services staff. Diversity issues are addressed through the didactic training experiences, as well as in clinical practice. In addition, seminars and workshops throughout the year celebrate diversity throughout the university, address relevant topics, and continually reinforce our commitment and dedication to issues of diversity.
Gain practical experience providing individual counseling, conducting workshops, and working with counseling professionals through Counseling Services.
| Advanced Practicum | Externship |
|---|---|
| For graduate students who are currently enrolled at UB, typically in counseling or clinical psychology programs. | For graduate students who are enrolled at other universities, typically in mental health counseling, clinical psychology and counseling psychology programs |
Each student’s experience in this program is unique, depending on his or her skills, goals and caseload. Here are some of the typical activities you may engage in throughout the year.
You will be expected to be here approximately 16-20 hours per week for both the fall and spring semesters of the academic year for which you are accepted. Your time will be devoted to a variety of activities — some recurring, and some occurring only once or twice, depending on the needs of Counseling Services and the requirements of your training.
You will be required to attend orientation training the week before the fall semester begins.
You will be required to be here only when classes are in session. This placement ends at the end of finals week, but you are expected to terminate with all clients before then, to leave time for paperwork and final supervision issues.
Following are the approximate time allocations. These are subject to change, based on your specific program. After you are accepted into the program, please talk with your practicum coordinator about opportunities for a more individualized program.
Type of Work | Hours per Week |
|---|---|
| I. Clinical Services | |
Individual Counseling | 7 - 9 |
| Needs Assessments | 2 |
| Group Counseling | 2 |
| Paperwork & Case Management | 2 - 3 |
| II. Outreach Activities | |
| Workshop Presentations | (2+ per semester) |
| III. Supervision and Meetings | |
Individual Supervision | 1 |
| Group Supervision (Practicum Seminar) | 1.5 |
| Total 16-20 | |
To apply for this placement, complete the application, and follow the instructions on the application for submitting it to Counseling Services. Qualified applicants will be interviewed, and selections will be made and notified accordingly within a reasonable time frame.
Applications must be submitted by March 11, 2022.
Student Life
University at Buffalo
120 Richmond Quadrangle, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261
Phone: (716) 645-2720; Fax: (716) 645-2175
University at Buffalo
1st Floor Michael Hall, South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 829-5800