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• School of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education
• College of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Training Goals & Objectives

With regard to the “Scientist” component of our training model, our primary goals are to prepare graduates who 1) are informed consumers of psychological research by being able to understand and critique journal articles and reviews; 2) can “think critically and are sufficiently skeptical” (Gelso & Fretz, 2001). Thus they know how to find data supporting the use of a particular treatment modality or test instrument, and to approach psychotherapy as a “single-subject” design, where hypotheses about a client’s situation are formulated, optimal interventions are selected, and methods for assessing outcomes are utilized; and 3) conduct original research where hypotheses/research questions are formulated, tested and evaluated by quantitative or qualitative methodologies.

With regard to the “Practitioner” component of our program, our primary goals are to train candidates who 1) can competently apply knowledge of psychological and psychotherapy theory in private practice, community, institutional, and systems settings; 2) can competently assess, diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of concerns ranging from personal growth and adjustment issues to serious forms of psychological maladjustment; 3) possess the process skills to competently treat clients from at least three modalities (individual, group and Couples & Family); 4) are skilled in clinical supervision; 5) are competent in the administration and interpretation of various cognitive, academic, personality and behavioral assessment instruments; and 6) are knowledgeable and competent in working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

It is our belief that the most effective training in Counseling Psychology occurs through an integration of didactic and experiential learning. From the onset of students’ programs, they are exposed to a combination of training experiences that create an interaction between theory, research and practice. Under the direct supervision of the dedicated program faculty each student gradually develops into a capable psychologist.